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Author
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Topic: Will space-theme face masks be collectible?
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44976
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-19-2020 12:13 PM
   
Adam Savage shared on Twitter a photo of himself wearing one of Kovacs Company's now sold out Snoopy cap face masks and it got me to thinking, will certain face masks become space memorabilia?  Like other space enthusiasts, I own several masks that are space-related, most of them custom made. NASA visitor center gift shops now have space designs for sale, as do other retailers. For now at least, I liken the masks I wear to the space-theme neck ties I own; they are part of my wardrobe, not part of my collection. But as time passes and, hopefully, so does the pandemic, and the need for face masks dissipates, are there going to be examples that become collectible? Do the health issues involved preclude a collector interest in owning astronaut-worn masks? If crews take masks with them to space (as a precaution), will they become sought after artifacts post-flight? What do you think? And if you believe there is a case for collectible status, which or what type of space-theme masks do you think will grow in collector demand? |
Liembo
Member Posts: 675
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 08-19-2020 12:47 PM
Military patches with coronavirus tie-ins appear to be popular if that is any sort of barometer of the general collectibility of pandemic-era items. They're certainly a memoir of the times. |
goose77
Member Posts: 61
From: Marion, Iowa
Registered: Jul 2019
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posted 08-19-2020 03:19 PM
Very interesting topic. As far as potential health issues with worn masks, from what I've read while there are concerns about transmission of Covid-19 from materials, the risk is relatively low and can be remediated easily. For example, the CDC recommends having 5 or more masks for daily use, putting them on a rotation where each one decontaminates for five days between re-use. I would imagine that a worn mask taken out of service and allowed to decon for a number of weeks would present no health risks. Personally, some of my favorite collectibles are "practical" ones I can both use and appreciate — a pen and a lanyard with lucite-encased artifacts on them for example. Masks will, unfortunately, be of practical use for some time at least. And later, once the pandemic is over or at least under control, I think they will be cool mementos of this time. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 847
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-19-2020 03:24 PM
My collecting tends to focus on items with a positive association. For now, and for me, masks evoke the negative sentiment of the pandemic and remind me of an unfortunate utilitarian need.No one ever accused me of having an excessive fashion sense, but I’m looking forward to when mask collections can be discarded! |
oly
Member Posts: 1114
From: Perth, Western Australia
Registered: Apr 2015
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posted 08-19-2020 11:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
What do you think? And if you believe there is a case for collectible status, which or what type of space-theme masks do you think will grow in collector demand?
Perhaps it will depend upon how the COVID-19 plays out within society. If the virus becomes something permanent that we have to learn to adapt to within out daily life over an extended time, and if face masks become a new everyday item, then they probably won't become something people want to collect. If, on the other hand, if this virus is a temporary event that society overcomes and returns to a more accepted norm, then facemasks will become a signifier of a moment in history and will have some value as mementos or collectibles.It is great to see people adopt facemasks as items that can be had fun with and not something that is perceived to be infringing upon their liberties. As masks can act as a filtration system and a tool to help combat the virus spread (and the cheapest form of health insurance), making masks that have some kind of individuality or identity is a great way to increase their use. As more sporting teams and brands identify that masks have the potential to add to their merchandise line, we should see more great designs, including space-themed designs. I would like to see more space-themed designs, perhaps even a collectSPACE line, and would welcome a forum page dedicated to masks designs that run with the idea. Maybe a whole new trend in space collectibles can begin here. Show us what you've got. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 44976
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-09-2020 03:37 PM
The SpaceX Crew-1 astronauts have custom face masks with their mission patch and name: | |
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