Posts: 7
From: Syracuse, NY, United States
Registered: Oct 2022

posted 06-24-2024 10:12 AM               

---

Many decades ago, I mailed for Neil Armstrong's autograph and received the popular 8x10 NASA Apollo 11 official photo. The signature looks real to me, but wondering the best place to get it authenticated?

Also, what is a fair value? EBay has them for some for some unbelievable prices. Thanks so much.

Posts: 2396
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 06-24-2024 12:33 PM               

---

First of all, welcome! Lots of nice folks here and lots of good info as well.

The first question is, is the autograph personalized to you (or someone)? That will affect the value as unpersonalized Armstrong signed lithos tend to sell for more.

Armstrong also had several autopen patterns. Those patterns are machine-generated autographs. You did not mention the time frame when you sent for his autograph; you were more likely to receive an autopen while Armstrong was an active astronaut, especially around the time of Apollo 11.

Steve Zarelli is pretty much considered the authority on Armstrong autographs. You can request an email opinion from him for a reasonable price and if all looks good you can then send it in to him to receive his certificate of authenticity if it passes muster.

You can also post a pic of the piece here. There are lots of very experienced collectors who can at least tell you if it is definitely not authentic. Cheers!

Posts: 2
From: Germany
Registered: Oct 2020

Posts: 7
From: Syracuse, NY, United States
Registered: Oct 2022

Posts: 638
From: Ireland
Registered: May 2014

Posts: 4594
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 07-17-2024 05:45 PM            

---

In my opinion, it looks good. A few relatively minor dings to the edge but otherwise looks pretty good. All the better for being penned in black ink and not blue.

Similar examples have been fetching $3500 to $3800 at auction in recent months: there or there abouts for many years in fact.

And for the record, Steve Zarelli is regarded as the gold standard when it comes to authentication amongst collectors.

Posts: 7
From: Syracuse, NY, United States
Registered: Oct 2022

Posts: 2396
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005

posted 07-18-2024 04:11 PM               

---

Signature looks fine to me.

I agree with the value assessment, $3500-4000 is reasonable. Could go for $5000 or more if there are two or more motivated bidders, nice uninscribed Armstrong WSS lithos are somewhat challenging to find. There are a lot of them out there but people tend not to part with them.

Posts: 7
From: Syracuse, NY, United States
Registered: Oct 2022

Posts: 4594
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

posted 08-22-2024 03:39 AM            

---

If you sell this on here, and garner an offer within the ranges mentioned, I would seriously consider selling. Selling through Christies, Southebys or even Heritage may see an even bigger return than RR auction for instance, but then you will have to pay fees as would the buyer.

I should point out that RR are no less an auction house for selling space stuff in my opinion. Rather Armstrong signed WSS lithos are perhaps more common on their particular platform.

Posts: 7
From: Syracuse, NY, United States
Registered: Oct 2022