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posted 10-26-2015 07:50 PM               

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Nice pickup!

Personally, I don't know if I would add more signatures to this piece because a modern autograph might stand out from the vintage signatures.

All of the astronauts' autographs have changed over the years (some more than others), and to me, part of the charm of this piece is that it is contemporary to the program.

That said, the best decision is whatever makes you the most happy.

If you do decide to have Gordon sign, I think the color is less important than finding a pen of similar weight to the other autographs.

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posted 10-27-2015 05:55 AM               

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For what it's worth, I bought a large Astronaut Group 3 photo a couple of years ago that was signed by all of them. Only one of the signatures had faded badly - the rest were quite dark, and his was just gone. The signer was still alive, and at a signing event a friend asked if he could sign it again, and if he could possibly sign it in his vintage style. He absolutely nailed it.

Admittedly his autograph hadn't changed too much over the years, so it wasn't that much of an adjustment, but it's possible that Gordon and McDivitt could do the same thing. I'll always be glad I asked. Even if the signature(s) you add are a little different than how they would have signed 50 years ago, it's still them signing it, and if you have them use the same kind of thin pen it will be hard to see that they signed it that much later. It will also make an interesting story of how you got it even better. So I say go for it.

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posted 10-27-2015 08:05 AM               

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Go with what you want and will make you happy.

Personally I'd not use Sharpies, the ink will ruin the vintage look even if the signature is in the vintage style.

The Fisher Space pens may be an idea, black or blue would work but I think the black would fit better. Good luck. Please post a picture when you've completed it.

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posted 10-27-2015 08:47 AM               

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I know I should probably refrain form answering because this whole autograph thing is fairly new to me, but here is my two cents.

If were adding the additional two signatures I would look at the total number of signatures now by color and do my best to balance them.

Looking at what is there now, the black signatures outnumber the blue signatures so I would choose blue to balance the total color composition of the whole piece.

As far was what pen to use, I would source a NOS vintage early to mid-60's pen. Not knowing where and how the piece was signed there is a possibility it was signed with a good old fashion US government skillcraft pen. I believe any modern ink is going to look odd, out of place, and would become the focal point of the piece detracting form the image and the other signatures as a whole.

Also, if you are asking for a vintage period correct autograph style it would make sense (to me) to use a period correct ink.

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posted 10-27-2015 12:40 PM               

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While I would seriously consider leaving this piece alone in order to retain it's all-vintage status, I can also understand the urge to add McDivitt and Gordon, because you'd also be completing the Gemini IV and XI crews.

Like others said, if you do get it signed, go for a similar style pen with similar line-weight and color. (I don't think I'd go as far as tracking down a vintage 60s pen. An old pen might be problematic when it comes to ink flow at the crucial moment.) Test out the pen(s) a lot before the signing on a similar style of writing surface. You don't want to have "pen issues" when the signatures are being applied.

Also, I think signature placement here is very important. While it might be tempting to add the new signatures in the space at the top of the photo (i.e. adding McDivitt above White), I think I would add them in the white cloud below Aldrin's signature. The eye naturally gravitates first to the top signatures on this photo and I'd hate to add much clutter around the beautiful vintage signatures (especially the nice Ed White signature). Also, if the end result is somehow a little less-than-perfect, the signatures in the plume cloud will not be the main focal point of this piece.

Finally, resist any temptation to add mission details below the new signatures. While that's a fairly common practice for new signings, it would do nothing but detract on a piece like this. Stick with a basic signature and nothing more.

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posted 10-27-2015 07:39 PM               

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Might I suggest you get photos of McDivitt and Gordon holding the piece after each has signed it?

When you bought the piece from the Pawn brokers how willing were they to negotiate a selling price?

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posted 10-28-2015 06:55 AM               

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Rick, oh yeah, I will be getting pictures for sure. Gordon is coming up. Hopefully I'll be able to make it to Tucson next summer for McDivitt.

I ended up getting this off a seller in Illinois for not much more then the Pawn Stars paid. Not sure what happened there but it worked out great for me.

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posted 10-28-2015 09:28 AM               

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I have several Rasmussen Space Prints signed with pencil.

cSers, would pencil be a good choice as it might look like the faded pen?

I also agree that the clouds may be a good choice as to where to sign.

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posted 11-13-2015 07:21 PM               

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Cool photos of Dick Gordon.

I didn't realize his signature had such an unusual and distinctive "R" to begin the "Richard." Very unique and it's probably somewhat an artifact of his left-handedness.