posted 02-08-2004 03:44 PM               

I am 40 years of age, and work at a High Security Hospital which is similar to a Prison, except the inmates are all classed as mentally ill. I work as part of Dedicated Search Team, and drive the instant response vehicle amongst many other duties.

I have other hobbies which include fishing, and flying model rockets.

I am married to Jackie, who supports me in this hobby, and have three daughters. My youngest daughter Millie has met a couple of Astronauts, and Al Worden is her firm favourite... she had a photograph taken with him... she know`s which SP on the wall is Al!!

I have always been interested in manned spaceflight, like my friend Ian Arkesden I remember the voyage of Apollo 8, I followed all the Apollo missions and my interest never waned.

I really got into collecting because of the internet and this site. I could access all the information to contact the astros and cosmonauts on here.

I also work with a UK contender for the X-Prize, Starchaser Industries and display some of my collection at their Open Days. Its nice to be able to share your collection with people. People are amazed that the Astronauts sign stuff and I enjoy sharing my experiences with the public.

I have also had the opportunity to meet a number of Astronauts, I consider myself privileged to have met Al Worden, Richard Gordon, Ed Gibson, Paul Weitz,Guion Bluford and Neil Armstrong.

I have also enjoyed meeting all the Cosmonauts that I have met at Autographica.

I have also made many friends through the hobby. I have also enjoyed all the contact I have made with board members all around the world.

posted 02-08-2004 07:17 PM               

I tell this story to illustrate the expectations that our generation grew up with. If we sometimes underappreciate the shuttle, ISS, or other things that have come since, say, Apollo, I think it's just because we would have expected to be so much farther along by now than we are. Personally, I appreciate all of what has happened, but tend to look at these things, somewhat hopefully, as stepping stones to much bigger and more ambitious endeavors. I still hope to live to see a manned mission to Mars, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

My most emotional memory of the Space Race is watching live TV from lunar orbit as the Apollo 8 crew read from "Genesis" and ended with their memorable signoff. I still get goosebumps when I think of that.

In an earlier thread, I described how I was unable to watch the first steps on the moon. What a disappointment -- there were probably only about 10 of us in the whole world. (At least it felt that way.) I think it's awesome that I lived while men walked on the moon at the same time that stone-age men existed on the earth. I doubt the latter is still true in the much smaller world of today.

After college, I spent 13 years in the tool & die industry before moving from northern Illinois to our current home in the mountainous panhandle of Idaho. I worked with adults with developmental disabilities (which had many rewards but paid very poorly) for about 7 years, until the company I worked for went bankrupt. I have now been working for about 7 years for the Idaho Dept. of Labor as a Job Service Consultant.

Besides collecting space memorabilia, I enjoy hiking, backpacking, skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and a bunch of other stuff. I've played soccer for a number of years, but may be done with the game now. (Except as a spectator, as I enjoy watching our daughters -- both collegiate athletes -- play the game.)

I hope very much to get to meet other cS'ers out there some time. I hoped to go to Sims-Hankow this year, but other pressing commitments got in the way. Still hoping for other opportunities.

posted 02-09-2004 04:34 PM               

Other pursuits include technical diving, Astronomy (have a 14 inch Schmitt-Cassegrain C-14 "light bucket") and sucking down prolific quantities of sushi.

Count myself as one of the lucky ones to have witnessed the Apollo program and it was the genesis for my interest in this hobby... as I am sure was the case for many of us, my collection efforts didn't really start in earnest until the proliferation of the internet (which opened my eyes to the possibility that you could actually own items affiliated with the program).

Initially started out with the limited objective of gathering philatelic items and then (much to my spouses dismay) mission creep set-in, resulting in an expansion out to hardware, spacesuits, etc.

posted 02-10-2004 05:40 PM               

Work does not leave much time for in person-collecting, but I try to attend some events in Europe. Believe it or not, but I got the space virus when I watched the splash down of Apollo 7 in German TV. Later my grandma cooled down my enthusiasm when she did not believe in the moon landing ("How did they go there?" I think she was the first German moon hoax supporter ever.) But I stayed with space stuff, but strange enough I had no thought of collecting autographs.

Books, covers, stamps, models - but then my father gave me a signed card of Sigmund Jähn, then I got a bargain purchase of an 41-G cover with Judy Resnik, so I thought, now I've got a total of 7, and there are some 400, so why not carry on.

I would perhaps have an easier way of collecting if I would work in any space company or talk my family into moving to the States, the promised land of everyday astronaut sightings, but here I am in rainy Germany, lucky enough to share experiences with all of you fellows and get the informations I need.

posted 02-10-2004 07:22 PM               

I have one small 5 1/2 year old boy named Decklan who told me one day that he wants to be either a superhero, or an astronaut. When I was nine years old I met Evel Knievel and from that point on I never wanted to be anything but a stuntman, well here I am after 25 years of being a stuntman in some of Hollywood's biggest movies, TV shows and commercials.

Anyway, when my son tells me that he would like to be an astronaut I figure why not do my best to not only kinda educate him, but perhaps share some wonderful memories with him, and start to collect some possible heirlooms that he may someday pass on to his children and so on.

I started with the first mission to the moon, heck why not, I figure these guys are still around, they cant be THAT hard to find and have access too. Boy, was I in for an enlightenment. Anyway, I just got kinda hooked in that manner watching my little boys face and smile as we would acquire this or that from the Apollo 11 mission, or our adventures meeting and spending a little time with Mr, Armstrong in Ohio in July 2003, or with Mr. Buzz Aldrin (who my son still affectionately calls Mr. Buzz Lightyear) or ever so briefly meeting Gen. Mike Collins in Los Angeles in September 2003.

Although I am excited that I was able to win an auction to spend some time with Gen. Collins, so I cant wait to see my little boy's happy face when we get to see him again for more than just the two minutes we were lucky enough to get last time with him.

My wife thinks I'm kinda crazy, but who knows, I tell her, someday he might be known as Commander Decklan Braun, of some future mission to Mars. Either way so far its been a very educational and extremely wonderful memories filled hobby for my son and I to share.

posted 02-11-2004 12:17 AM               

I've been a space buff since ASTP in 1975, but I didn't really get into anything up the alley of collectSPACE until I started collecting books in the late eighties. I'm interested mostly in autographed astronaut biographies or autobiographies. That's how I found collectSPACE in the first place -- It was recommended by someone on sci.space.history as a good source of information on signings! I had first heard of the possibility of signed astronaut books in 1994 after my Dad brought me a copy of "Moon Shot" back from San Francisco -- and told me that the bookstore he had bought it at was going to have a signing the next week, featuring Shephard and Carpenter! The advent of online used book stores in a big way in 1998 or so opened up some possibilities, as did being able to find out about signings over the internet. Given what most Apollo autographs cost nowadays, signings are practically the only option for those of us operating on a limited budget. And given that almost no book tours ever make it up to Canada, I'm pretty much stuck ordering by mail.

Oh well. I am blessed with a wife who is fairly tolerant of this peculiar hobby. As I have told her on multiple occasions -- "It's less destructive than drinking, gambling and/or womanizing, if not necessarily cheaper..."

posted 02-15-2004 11:15 PM               

I am a native Chicagoan, and moved to Northern Virginia 16 years ago for my job. I am a photoengraver at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington D.C. I initially was Helio-engraving, gravure U.S.Postage stamps. I was lucky enough to have engraved three different space issues. The Space Exploration (Booklet of 10), The US/USSR joint issue of Space Achievements (Sheet), and the Space Fantasy issue. I have also engraved 39 other US Postage stamps. I have since been involved with the engraving of the new multi-colored currency now being issued. We recently finished the 50, which is now being printed for release later this year, and am currently working on the 10 and 100. I hope everyone has enjoyed the new look of the currency. Sorry, no samples.

The Bureau is only about seven blocks away from the National Air and Space Museum, so fortunately I can spend quite a bit of time at the museum. I have also been able to catch quite a few lectures and book signings of the astronauts. I can remember one day I had gone to the museum for a booksigning of Chris Kraft's book "Flight". The line was already fairly long by the time I got there, so I figured I would go check out the book shop. As I was looking at the space books, there was a gentleman also standing there looking through some books. A short while later, a museum person had walked up to the man standing next to me and said "Mr. Kraft, we are ready for the signing". I almost fell over. I wish I had known.

I have enjoyed reading space related books for many years, but have only been collecting astronaut autographs for about the last 10 years. I truely enjoy this site, and it is a real pleasure to be aquainted with all of you. I also enjoy photography, cooking, hiking, and visiting the many historical sights in the area. Best wishes to you all.

Phil Krajecki

posted 02-16-2004 07:23 AM               

I'm John Fongheiser, 48, married to the most patient woman on the planet. We have two children, a daughter, 8, and a son, almost 5.

I have a business designing and building spacecraft exhibits and simulators for museums. When that is slow (as it is now) I do computer aided drafting (CAD). From 1980-1990 I was a systems engineer for GTE in California.

I have been captivated with everything about space exploration since I was in grade school. I remember hearing John Glenn's flight over the school's public address system in kindergarten. When I was about 11 I built a cardboard Gemini cockpit in the family room, with paperclips for toggle switches. My 8th grade science fair project was a full-size Gemini from wood and metal, made with the help of two friends. Ever since then I have wanted to model these craft with the utmost realism and accuracy. Of course, having parts of the real vehicles is a total thrill.

So glad to meet you all. And many thanks to Robert for his work in making this the most fun place to be on the web.

posted 02-17-2004 03:39 PM               

I now earn less money so will have to slow down on my space spending (boo hoo), but the jobs has better prospects for the future and is with a better employer.

posted 02-18-2004 05:33 AM               

I became interested in the space program when I was on holiday in Florida in the year 1992 and saw STS-47 liftoff and I have been hooked ever since.

posted 02-22-2004 02:13 PM               

I began following the space program with a passion during the early 1960's, watching all the flights at home or at school. I started collecting space memorabilia during Project Mercury. I remember my second grade teacher in 1962, passing around my Project Mercury commemorative stamp and postal covers while we discussed John Glenn's Flight and the historical significance.

My children have also become avid collectors. My teenage son, a cadet in the Civil Air Patrol is the recipient of the prestigious Billy Mitchell Award and my teenage daughter, also a cadet, is the recipient of The Wright Brothers Award.

posted 02-22-2004 06:24 PM               

I'm a part-time truck driver and look forward to retiring someday!

I'm an Air Force/Viet Nam veteran and still love airplanes! I actually got started by collecting aircraft photos in the late '50s, which led to collecting autographed test pilot photos, which, in turn, led to collecting astronauts autographs in the early '60s!

I also collect post cards, baseball cards, books and a few other things!

I'm a 3rd Degree Master Mason, a big baseball fan, college football fan, NASCAR fan and a huge fan of Jimmy Stewart and John Wayne movies!

I have been fortunate enough to meet a few astros in person: Al Shepard, Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, John Glenn and flight director Gene Kranz!

The biggest hero of my life (other than my wife, who tolerates me!) is my late father-a veteran of WWII and Korea and a man who's word was his bond!

posted 08-17-2004 12:11 PM               

Incidentally when I was been born two Soviet Cosmonauts were emerging from their mother ship to spacewalk over to another one (Soyuz 4 & 5, if I remember right) and was 6 months old the minute when Apollo 11 was launched from Kennedy.

posted 08-17-2004 01:00 PM               

I grew up watching the space program. I'm partial to the Gemini and Apollo missions, but also dig the unmanned Moon probes from the 1960s.

posted 08-17-2004 03:41 PM               

I started my own website about Chuck Yeager back in 1999 because at that time there was really nothing of any consequence on the web about him at the time. I got acquainted with a few members of the X-1 team and eventually began to get quite a collection of Muroc/Edwards AFB experimental test pilots autographs...

posted 08-17-2004 09:18 PM               

I own part of a sailmaking company, and also I spent most of the past 10 years designing sails for the Team New Zealand Americas Cup syndicate.

I have been collecting for about 2.5 years.

posted 08-17-2004 09:53 PM               

I have been interested in space since the Apollo 8 mission back in 1968. I mostly collect Apollo stuff (figurines, models, books and pictures).

posted 08-18-2004 05:21 AM               

We live on the North Sea coast in the North East of England. Not a Georide, but nearly.

I am a qualified Marine Engineer for the North Sea, but, I've just started a job that takes me around the world. Still on a ship though.

My hobby is planetary astronomy. I was forever being asked by the public to show them where the astronauts landed on the moon. So I decided to write off to one, John Young in Aug 2002. After his response I got hooked.

I try to limit the amount of "out theres" as they always seem to arrive early mornings when I'm at sea. Not pleasing the wifie.

Always read this forum when I'm logged on. Great bunch of guys.

posted 08-18-2004 08:33 AM               

I work in a small team of officers who all seem to be experts on the Apollo program, (or rather why it was all filmed at Universal studios) and space in general. Last night I was told it all had to be faked because how could a Russian dog called Leika 'build' its own rocket and fly it to the moon. Some people will do anything to 'make you bite'.

posted 08-18-2004 06:23 PM               

Hubby and myself are interested in astronomy, have books on this subject, but mainly space books on my shelf.

We have two sons: Scott, 28, a supermarket manager, plus Ian, 24, a motor mechanic, also drives rally cars,motor bikes and enters competitions, etc.

Hubby and I have been married for 30 years, and enjoy our hobbies together. He does not mind all the collection in our lounge made up of astronauts signed autographs. The four walls are full plus all the models ranging from space shuttles to Apollo and more.

posted 08-20-2004 06:45 PM               

Presently I run a WANG computer (HA!) for a world renowned recreational vehicle window manufacturer. A WANG computer!

I was an associate technical support specialist for five years for a major Catholic healthcare system before a "merger" (read acquisition) ended the position and the local corporate office. Broke my heart as I had been there for five years, loved everyone and everyone loved me, I learned a lot and I got to work with the latest and greatest computer stuff in the nation! Best paying job I EVER had or probably will ever have...

My degree is in political science because no 20th Century President did not have a college degree and I was convinced that I would be one of those so I needed a college degree. Still hope, I guess.

Should have studied Constitutional Law... big demand for constitutional lawyers like there is for political scientists, but my liberal arts education has served me well, at least personally, but certainly not professionally.

Was married... won't ever do THAT again! Just not something everyone should do, but it took me nearly 25 years to find out that it was not something "I" should do. Too bad.

Said it before... wished I had the Internet as a kid... there is SO much there... but I am a big fan of lifelong learning even if my best friend (and would-be Chief of Staff) said 'why learn it, if you ain't going to USE it?' when I told him I wanted my Doctorate some day.

posted 12-03-2004 02:27 PM               

As a lawyer, I have mostly done appeals and other research and briefing work, plus recently, depositions in asbestos cases.

posted 05-27-2006 11:58 AM               

I've only been collecting for the past year, having stumbled on Buzz Aldrin's appearance at Autographica last year. Meeting him and the others astronauts there re-kindled my fascination in space which had laid dormant since I was a kid.

Growing up, I vaguely remember watching the a couple of the Apollo missions returning to Earth but I was a child of the Space Shuttle era really.

Autographs are my primary interest. I have collected them since I was a teenager - when I was innocent enough to write to NASA and expect genuine signatures in response. It was only years later that I realised all the Apollo crew signatures I got direct from NASA were autopens But I did also write direct to Neil Armstrong and got a personally inscribed photo back which was pretty amazing to me.

posted 05-27-2006 01:51 PM               

Speaking of professional sports, that was my career in equipment for 30 years. In 1974, I started working with the Baltimore Banners of World Team Tennis. We had number one in the world Jimmy Connors on the team. He and his (then) fiance Chris Evert both won Wimbledon that year. I had to pick them along with Jimmy's mother up at Friendship Airport (now BWI Thurgood Marshall). Being a new driver, I was scared to death! Jimmy's mother sat in between them.

The team lasted one year so I worked at Brooks Robinson's Sporting Goods. Brooks and I became very close. For those who do not know who Brooks is, he's a former baseball player and the greatest third baseman and a Hall of Famer. Brooks got me a job with the Baltimore Orioles. They were the winning-est team in the 1960s, 70, and early 80s. I met two Presidents: Carter and Reagan. Sargent Schriver, he's married to Eunice Kennedy, sister of John F. Kennedy, Maria's their daughter. She's married to Arnold Schwarzenegger.

I was there for almost nine seasons, until the end of 1983. We were World Champions beating the Phillies in the Series. I was too lucky and didn't appreciate it. I met singers, actors, politicians and was very friendly with the best athletes while running the visiting clubhouse. Cal Ripken, I knew him as a kid coming to visit his dad an Orioles coach, Pete Rose, Carl Yastrzemksi, Jim Palmer, Brooks, Frank Robinson, all of the the New York Yankees, and American League teams, the Pirates and Phillies, met Hank Aaron dozens of times and so on. Also the guys from the Baltimore Colts like John Unitas. Also met the STS-4 crew when they came to Memorial Stadium. I stood with Yankee Manager Billy Martin to meet them.

Then I went with the new sport of Indoor Soccer. I was with the Baltimore Blast 20 years. We won championships and were internationally known. Played English and Russian teams. Had a great 20 years with them.

I left 20 years of soccer to go with a minor league basketball team, the Baltimore BayRunners. We thought they would be extremely successful. Well although I loved the job and the players were great, the team lasted one year and the league two. The NBA had just started their developmental league. It was funny when I took players places in my Toyota, the 7 footers and we had 3, had their knees in their faces. They never complained.

I have collected space memorabilia since the 1960s. We lived 15 minutes from Lion Brothers and a lady who worked there brought us Apollo patches before each mission. We lived in back of a man who worked for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. He too was always giving me things. I was hooked!! There are some Astronauts who have been very good to me and my son.

One more thing, my son Craig is a patient of the Johns Hopkins Children's Center. He sees 12 doctors and is a 11 year cancer survivor. It's a LONG story!!