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Author
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Topic: Help with 'Thunder Over the Patuxent' art print
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navyflyer1127
Member Posts: 68
From: Alexandria, VA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 09-08-2016 10:20 AM
   
I am hoping someone may be able to help me identify some signatures on a particular piece of aviation artwork before I attempt to buy it. The only catch is that I have a very blurry photo which makes it impossible to discern who is who. The piece is called "Thunder Over the Patuxent" by John Shaw and it was a commemorative print for the Naval Test Pilot School done in 1995. I actually owned a copy of it a while back but gave it to a friend who was accepted into the program as a gift. However, my copy was merely a print signed by the artist. There was a special edition put out that was signed by quite a few of the school's prominent graduates. I know John Glenn is one of the signatures but there are seven more that I unfortunately can't figure out. I am wondering if anyone here has heard of or seen this edition of the print and if so, can you remember any of the other signatures on board? This is being offered at an estate sale which starts tomorrow and I am trying to do my homework before I make the trek out to hopefully snatch this up. Here is what the print looks like to refresh anyone that might be on the trail. Thanks in advance! |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-08-2016 11:54 AM
Can you share the blurry photo? We might be able to discern "shapes" of signatures. |
navyflyer1127
Member Posts: 68
From: Alexandria, VA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 09-08-2016 12:11 PM
Here is a slightly better picture of the same version of the print I'm looking at. This picture is from the John Glenn Library collection at Ohio State. Same golden anniversary edition with the same signatures (without the additional drawing). I think I can make out Wally Schirra and Scott Carpenter but I'm not so sure on the rest. Thanks again for the help! |
Jurg Bolli
Member Posts: 977
From: Albuquerque, NM
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-08-2016 03:17 PM
Have you tried to contact the publisher of the print, brooksart.com? |
navyflyer1127
Member Posts: 68
From: Alexandria, VA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 09-08-2016 03:43 PM
I spoke with the folks at Brooksart but unfortunately they didn't have any amplifying information on any earlier editions. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-08-2016 06:23 PM
My post is not going to be particularly helpful, but... I went to college very close to Pax River. I remember seeing copies of that print offered for sale "signed by several of the most famous graduates" or words to that effect. I thought about buying one, but this was 20 years ago before I got majorly into aviation and space, and didn't follow up. Man, do I wish I had. If you get it, please let us know who the signers were, possibly just so I can further kick myself!
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328KF
Member Posts: 1234
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 09-08-2016 07:02 PM
I'll take a stab at a few of the signatures. Far upper left Wally Schirra, unknown, Scott Crossfield. Lower right is Bryan O'Connor. I haven't seen that Crossfield attended TPS, but perhaps its signed by famous Navy test pilots rather than graduates?
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alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 09-08-2016 09:10 PM
John Shaw has a Facebook page under John D Shaw. I had some questions about a print I have of one of his paintings called "Summer of 42" depicting P-40s from the American Volunteer Group in China and he was very helpful. I recently saw his original painting "Semper Fi" at the US Naval Aviation Museum. Fantastic work. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-08-2016 11:52 PM
Considering Glenn is old and no longer signs, if I was into this kind of artwork, I'd probably snap it up regardless. |
navyflyer1127
Member Posts: 68
From: Alexandria, VA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 09-09-2016 09:54 AM
Spoke with the lady selling this item and these were the only signatures they could discern: Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter, John Glenn, James Stockade, and Bryan O'Connor. The others they couldn't make sense of but my guess is that it's not Neil Armstrong, Alan Shepard or John Young. That being said, when I spoke with her this morning, due to some increased interest in the print, she has upped the price and is currently taking bids. Starting price is a whopping $2,995! A little far from the starting point of a couple hundred dollars, which is unfortunate. I'm sadly reminded of the thread regarding the STS-1 patch. Oh well, back to the hunt! |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-09-2016 01:43 PM
That "starting price" sounds waaaaaaaay too high. I hope you do get the print but not at that price. |
USNTPS Historian
New Member Posts: 2
From: Patuxent River, MD
Registered: Mar 2017
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posted 05-24-2017 10:11 AM
I know this is a bit of a late response but I have some information on this painting. There were 1300 lithographs made from the original painting done in 1995 by John Shaw for the 50th anniversary of the US Naval Test Pilot School's founding. All were signed by the artist, however numbers 500-599 were signed by Wally Schirra, Scott Carpenter, Alan Shepard, and John Glenn. These men were all the Mercury Astronauts who graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School. Serial numbers 500-599 were also signed by VADM Jim Stockdale (Hanoi Hilton) Scott Crossfield (first man to fly at Mach 2), CAPT Syd Sherby (founder of USNTPS), Col Bryan O'Connor (Astronaut) and CDR John Keilty (32nd CO of USNTPS). All nine of these men sat down and signed these prints at the 50th annual USNTPS reunion. The signed prints were originally sold by the USNTPS Foundation to fund the sculpture in the lobby of the school. Few sold and the statue was paid for by a benevolent alumni. Quite recently the remaining signed copies were "found" and they have all been sold off. Hope this helps even though its very late. |
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