Posts: 552
From: Oregon
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 02-28-2016 06:46 PM               

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I would like to increase my collection of cosmonaut autographs, but I'm a little nervous to simply buy random autographs online.

Does anyone have advice as to how and/or where to purchase cosmonaut autographs online? Specifically interested in "lesser known" cosmonauts from the 1970s-90s. I wouldn't think there would be a high dollar value on these autographs so they probably aren't high forgery risks... but I don't know for sure. Any thoughts?

Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000

posted 03-01-2016 11:04 AM               

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As you say there are very few cosmonaut autographs that command high prices (Gagarin, Leonov, Tereshkova, Komarov, Belyaev, Levchenko and a very few more) compared to earlier U.S. astronauts so the danger of fakes with those more common ones is not big though existent.

I have been sent a three CD volume containing scans of fakes originating from Romania and Hungary once, so they are out there. Pretty often multi-signed covers are affected by these fakes, rarely single signed covers or portraits.

My own observation is that most of these Russian cosmonaut fakes are fairly easy to recognize, only a kid would draw like that, so with some experience you can easily spot.

This doesn't mean there are better fakes out there but again due to the lower value the danger is not that big.

There are some reputable online sellers on eBay as well (email me directly for names) where you can safely buy them.

I also carry some Russian autographs on my website and also on eBay under my ID "spaceflori" which were usually obtained through the mail by former East-German collectors thus are authentic as the Russian cosmonaut office did not carry an autopen machine or used secretaries to sign.

Posts: 9
From: London, UK
Registered: Jun 2012

posted 03-20-2016 01:53 PM               

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A good guide that is still available to help you identify the Cosmonaut Autographs when you have a few dealers in mind - it is published by Sanabria and is currently available if you search on eBay in the USA. It will give you a good start to the styles to look for and as Florian (spaceflori) said Russian cosmonaut fakes are fairly easy to recognize. I also agree that the multiple signed items have sometimes a fake signature added to boost the price potential.

Since I have over the last 10+ years acquired a large collection of Cosmonaut signatures from reputable sources — contact me if you need any further help.

Posts: 552
From: Oregon
Registered: Feb 2003