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Author
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Topic: 142067892158: Slayton WSS signed by Stafford
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Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-28-2016 03:31 AM
   
I'm curious about the authenticity of this as much as I am about the why it's listed like it is (or why it even exists) so I thought I'd ask you if there's something I'm missing.Title? Donald Slayton Autographed Photo JSA Certified Astronaut. Description? "Up for auction Donald Slayton Autographed 8x10 Photo Personalized." JSA Certification? Signer: Donald Slayton. Why is there no mention of the Tom Stafford in the bottom corner?! Actually, scratch that. I'll rephrase. Why, on a Deke Slayton WSS, is there a Tom Stafford signature in the bottom corner in the first place? I've never seen someone do crew autographs on an individual WSS shot. Is that a normal thing? Does Tom Stafford especially often sign photos of Deke Slayton? How does that conversation even work? "Can you please sign this?" "Um...that's not me. See, the name is even on the bottom of the photo." "Yeah, I know, but you were on the same mission, so it's cool." What am I missing here? |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2914
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-28-2016 05:56 AM
It's unusual, yes, but not really that big of a deal in my opinion. Since Slayton and Stafford flew together on Apollo-Soyuz, there may be a connection there. Maybe the Slayton-photo requestor asked Slayton for a signature of Stafford as well, and for some reason, Stafford signed the Slayton WSS at the bottom. But why he didn't provide his own signed photo could be for another reason or two. It does make for an interesting conversation piece, huh? |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-29-2016 06:52 AM
Are the signatures good?I think I might pick the piece up, but I don't know enough to be able to tell if I'm walking into a forgery or (less likely) autopen situation.  Edit: I'm wondering if the reason that the Stafford isn't mentioned is because it failed JSA? I'd love a Deke Slayton and to get a Tom Stafford out of it is just icing on the cake, but if one is bad (or both are), I don't want touch it. Thanks in advance for the help! |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 07-29-2016 09:47 AM
Just as an anecdote, I have personally witnessed a similar type of atypical Stafford crew completion signature before. At a public event sponsored by Omega watches in November, 2006 a friend I was in attendance with presented an original hardcopy edition of the book "Schirra's Space" to Wally for signature. He then stepped up and asked Stafford if he'd mind signing Wally's book. After a pause he lowered his eyebrows and signed it. I was a bit befuddled as to why he added the extra signature to Wally's but soon realized that the book now had a completed Gemini VI crew signature. |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-29-2016 09:51 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Glint:
After a pause he lowered his eyebrows and signed it.
At least that answers the "how would he react to such a request" part. Interesting. (And it means he wouldn't necessarily be opposed to signing this piece.) I actually did something similar when I got Jim Belushi's book autographed by Mike Ditka, but that's another story for another (non-space) venue. |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-29-2016 04:40 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
Maybe the Slayton-photo requestor asked Slayton for a signature of Stafford as well, and for some reason, Stafford signed the Slayton WSS at the bottom.
Reading this over again, now that I've got a chance to pause and think, should I take this to mean that you believe both signatures to be authentic? Thanks! |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 2914
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 07-29-2016 06:12 PM
Both look just fine to me. |
Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-29-2016 10:46 PM
Thanks! Someone beat me to it, so ya snooze ya lose, I guess.One of the downsides of posting signatures you're interested in here before you buy them. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 07-30-2016 12:03 AM
To be fair, you have had two days to buy it. I almost bought it, but wanted to make sure you had the chance. If it was unsold at midnight, I was going to take the plunge. Glad it was sold, as I did not need another Slayton WSS, even if Stafford was added to it.
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Mike_The_First
Member Posts: 436
From: USA
Registered: Jun 2014
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posted 07-30-2016 12:23 AM
Like I said "ya snooze, ya lose." It happens. It's life. That doesn't make it any less of a downside to bringing unique pieces to the attention of other collectors, but it also doesn't mean it's anything personal (nor do I take it as such).Personally, I'd rather lose out on a genuine piece than prematurely sink money into a fake one because I didn't do my due diligence — and as, despite years of trying, I can only recognize known autopens and not-even-anywhere-near-close forgeries — that means relying on second opinions.Honestly, I'm glad I lost this one myself. It would've been cool to have, but funds are a bit too tight right now for an impulse buy of that magnitude. |
Tom
Member Posts: 1597
From: New York
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-31-2016 09:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken Havekotte:
It does make for an interesting conversation piece, huh?
A few years ago I sent (back-up Gemini 10 Command Pilot) Alan Bean a space card photo of C.C. Williams practicing EVA for that flight... which he signed for me. |
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