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Author
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Topic: Apollo 11 Kapton foil authenticity (Whipkey)
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chosmo
New Member Posts: 4
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Dec 2018
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posted 12-15-2018 08:42 PM
  
I recently won an auction for a piece of Apollo 11 flown foil on a Goldberg Auction. However, I've grown concerned over its authenticity. Goldberg said that it comes from Bill Whipkey's personal collection, and that a COA will accompany the item saying as much. Does anyone have any thoughts/experience on the matter? You can view the item here. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2018 10:35 PM
Who produced the COA? If it is from Goldberg or secondary party without definative cooberation, there will always be doubt as to authenticity. The fact that Goldberg chose not to include an image of the COA online would make me immediately suspect as it should be reviewed up front (prior to bidding) when forming an assessment of authenticity (especially if that is the exclusive form of provenance offered). |
chosmo
New Member Posts: 4
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Dec 2018
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posted 12-15-2018 10:43 PM
Thanks for the reply. The COA is from Goldberg. This item is coming directly from the family, per my conversation with Goldberg, and Goldberg also touted that they have a relationship with the family. One red flag, in my eyes, is that there were eight total auctions for various pieces (2" X 2" or larger) of kapton from Apollo 11 in this auction, which were all collected from the Whipkey family. This seemed like a lot to me. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2018 10:59 PM
Whipkey had access to a lot of stuff in the capacity of his NASA workrole so its not implausible. Chief concern might be comingling of loose materials from various flight vehicles depending on how they were retained and stored over the years. I would still feel more comfortable with a family issued COA if you are looking to preserve the value of your investment over the longterm. |
SClarkson
Member Posts: 23
From: Fairfield,
Registered: Sep 2012
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posted 12-16-2018 10:03 AM
I read though the thread and can assure you that the Apollo 11 Kapton is authentic and is not commingled between flights. I knew Bill personally and he kept all his items well documented and separated. Goldberg's has known the family for at least 15 years. Prior to Bill's passing he would sign the COAs but obviously that is no longer possible. Initially Bill and now his family do not want his name used in the descriptions or photos of the COAs provided as part of the auction. You can always request Goldberg's email a copy of the COA prior to the sale. If for any reason you are uncomfortable with the purchase please return it to Goldberg's as soon as reasonably possible and they will refund the purchase price. Hope this helps clarify the situation. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-16-2018 03:25 PM
Any idea why suppression of Whipkey (and now his heirs) association with the artifacts offered through Goldberg and instead a discrete linkage? That raises potential concerns regarding his clear title to the material. |
SClarkson
Member Posts: 23
From: Fairfield,
Registered: Sep 2012
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posted 12-16-2018 05:11 PM
The COA clearly says who it is from so it isn't suppressed just not stated in the auction catalog. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-16-2018 05:34 PM
A COA whose content was (based on your previous comments) intentionally excluded from public dissemination in the lot description as was Whipkey's association. Suppressive and leaves open to question the consignors motivation for doing so. |
chosmo
New Member Posts: 4
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Dec 2018
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posted 12-17-2018 08:37 AM
Thank you both for weighing in. This has been helpful. At this point, my primary concerns are: - the quantity of foil that was auctioned off from their possession. There were several auctions of large pieces, all from Apollo 11, which seems a bit too good to be true.
- whether or not the COA is endorsed by the Whipkey family or Goldberg only.
Curious if there are any other thoughts or information on the matter. |
SClarkson
Member Posts: 23
From: Fairfield,
Registered: Sep 2012
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posted 12-17-2018 09:36 AM
Chosmo, if you want to reach out to me individually please do so. Sandy at therightstuffinc@gmail.com. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-17-2018 04:16 PM
NASA IG has previously engaged on items offered by Whipkey; to this day there are outstanding/unresolved questions regarding the government's intent to secure return of artifacts he retained from the time of his employment. |
chosmo
New Member Posts: 4
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Dec 2018
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posted 12-18-2018 12:56 PM
I am thankful to those that have been able to educate me during my first space-collectibles purchase. At this time, upon completion of my research, I have no doubt that this item is genuine. A special thank you to SClarkson for offering a valuable perspective on the matter. |
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