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Author
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Topic: Space collecting holy grails
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Jake
Member Posts: 464
From: Issaquah, WA U.S.A.
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 06-21-2002 12:58 PM
   
It seems safe to say that any one of us would love to have the actual suit that Neil Armstrong wore on the moon, John Glenn's Mercury capsule, or a baseball sized moon rock, but those items are (with good reason) in the Smithsonian and other museums for all to see......however, what is your holy grail? The item you actually have a reasonable chance of obtaining someday. Your dream space collectible? My answer would be to obtain one of the large (roughly four feet tall) Gemini capsule models as pictured in numerous official photos of the prime and backup Gemini crews. I have seen several in museums but would love to add one to my displays - if one even exists that could become available! Anyway, I suspect you all have wide and varied opinions as to the ultimate piece that you seek... Your thoughts? ------------------
Jake Schultz - curator,
Newport Way Air Museum (OK, it's just my home) |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 06-21-2002 01:32 PM
My running joke with my fiancé has been, "Naval Aviation in Space." That is obtainable, and it will be mine one day!The other couple are a flown to the moon flag. Something ala Apollo 8, 10, 11, etc. But the big kahuna... an Alan Bean original! I keep playing the lottery, and saying, "Keep the dream alive!" ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
NCC1701
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posted 06-21-2002 03:58 PM
Being primarily a book collector my holy grails are (1) "We Seven" signed by all 7 Mercury astronauts, (2) "First on the Moon" signed by the Apollo 11 crew, and (3) "Footprints" signed by all 12 moonwalkers.I doubt if number 3 even exists. One can dream I suppose. Gilbert Huey |
uzzi69
Member Posts: 181
From: Richmond, IN USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 06-21-2002 04:38 PM
My first " Holy Grail " item would have to be something that had been flown to the Moon...say a flag, or a personal item of one of the Moonwalkers.My next item would be the photo of Neil and Buzz setting up the American flag, signed by both. Regards, Bill uzzi69
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Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-21-2002 05:37 PM
I would really like to own a full size mockup of a Lunar Module (unflown of course).I am satisfied with my current collection of "lunar dust" samples from Apollo 11 and Apollo 15. I have a few items that were flown to the moon and authenticated by the astronauts from Apollo 13 and Apollo 14 with wonderful COAs, and a fantastic replica of Alan Bean's Apollo wrist checklist signed and authenticated by Bean as a "Nice replica!" Thanks to Novaspace, I have a small assortment of Capt. Cernan's personal items as well. In my office hangs a dozen large format signed photographs of all moonwalkers (except Neil) with humorous inscriptions. A full size Lunar Module would complete my collection. I'd put it right in my back yard. If anybody knows of one, drop me a line. Have fun! Frank |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-21-2002 08:20 PM
Years ago I bought a cue card from Charlie Duke that he had used while on the moon inside the lunar module Orion. Afterwards I asked him if he had anything else interesting to sell and he said "Well I have a pin part I pulled off the lunar rover before we left the moon... but I haven't decided what to ask for it..." Needless to say it's out of my price range now!And I'd like to have an item signed by all 12 moonwalkers or all 24 moon voyagers. These exist but are out of my price range, too. |
James Brown
Member Posts: 1287
From: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 06-21-2002 09:16 PM
I'd like to get my hands on the flight manual that the Apollo 8 crew read Genesis from. It is currently on display at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago. James |
lunarrv15
Member Posts: 1355
From: Cincinnati, Ohio, Hamilton
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-23-2002 06:28 PM
I would like: the Apollo 1 signed photo that is hanging in the Grissom Memorial Museum; the original signatures of all seven Mercury astronauts on their individual and group photos, the original signatures of all astronauts from the three early programs; and the original signatures of the Apollo 11 crew. |
Ed beck
Member Posts: 227
From: Florida
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-23-2002 10:12 PM
I want the red leather holy bible that Dave Scott left on the console of the lunar rover. I know it's on the Moon, but it sure would make a great "holy grail" to me! Both literally, and figuratively!As far as seeking something that may someday be attainable? The small silver chalice that Buzz Aldrin used to serve himself communion while inside the LM Eagle on the surface of the Moon. Something a little more realistic. I want to inherit my father's bible. He had the foresight to have Jim Irwin autograph the 121st Psalm, right over the verse that he quoted on the Moon. I have several autographs from the Late Col. Irwin, but I never thought to ask him to sign my Bible. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 06-24-2002 06:10 PM
My "holy grail" would have to be an A7L Apollo EVA boot. It does not have to be flown; the original post did I recall mention something we realistically might get to own one day. These things do crop up from time to time at Superior, etc., and prices are depressed at the moment so who knows? What better memento encapsulates man's first mark on the moon... |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-25-2002 07:18 AM
A complete set of NASA SP-books of the "Apollo Preliminary Science Reports" - superb books! |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 655
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-25-2002 09:06 AM
I had a five minute conversation with John Glenn, Buzz Aldrin, and Jim Lovell. That's not too bad! I certainly would like to talk to Neil Armstrong and definately would want a signed article. For some reason I can't buy something signed by Neil, even if I know its real. I have to be there!! |
CPIA
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posted 06-25-2002 10:52 AM
A lunar rock. It's illegal, but it would be nice. |
Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 06-25-2002 12:13 PM
I've got that which I've always wanted - a piece of Mars. And it's in my wedding ring. There are a couple of dozen or so bits of Martian meteorite out there - when my wife had my wedding ring made she purchased a (small) chunk of the Zagami meteorite (one of the more freely available ones) and had it put in my ring. It looks more or less like concrete so lots of people go, "huh"? - but twenty four hours a day I've got a bit of Mars right next to my skin.There is a considerably smaller amount of lunar meteorite floating around on the open market - so you can own that stuff legally - and I can't think of any reason why Benin or Lebannon or whoever can't sell you the chunk of meteorite that we gave to them at the end of the Apollo program. As I recall, we gave a small sample to every country on Earth. |
NC Apollo Fan
Member Posts: 261
From: Belmont, NC USA
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 06-25-2002 03:20 PM
I have been fortunate in that I have already picked up what I long considered to be my holy grail. About two years ago I purchased a flag flown to the lunar surface on Apollo 16 - I bought it from Charlie Duke's nephew. It was mounted on the original presentation board and inscribed to him from "Uncle Charlie." I was also able to contact General Duke for additional verification and he kindly wrote me a letter of provenance.Not long ago I purchased a lunar orbit flown UN Space Treaty from Apollo 12. Alan Bean inscribed the item as "Flown to the Moon, Apollo 12, Nov. '69 - Alan Bean." He was also kind in writing a letter to me discussing the item. Those are my holy grails. If the house catches fire, I am getting my wife and kids out. Then I am going back in for those two pieces. Then I might go back in for the cats! Something that I would still like to have? Something flown on Apollo 8, Apollo 11, or Apollo 15. Jonathan |
Jacqueline
Member Posts: 344
From: UK
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-25-2002 07:44 PM
Being a professional photographer... I would just love to own one of the Hassleblad cameras which are just sitting on the moon waiting to be picked up. Anyone willing to go pick one up for me?Jacqueline |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-25-2002 09:09 PM
Since I'm into the Enterprise and Challenger shuttles, something flown from each of them. I've seen a flown flag carried during the ALT as well as bits of the simulated TPS on eBay from Enterprise... and lost out both times.As for Challenger, I'd rather have flown patches and/or flags - I have flown patches from STS-8 and -11/41B, mounted and signed on the mount board - but I'd rather simply settle for "anything" flown, which would include the STS-6 beads I have and the STS-8 cover. Interestingly, I have a piece of thermal tile about 1" long, on United Technologies Lexar stationery, inscribed "Flew in Earth's orbit / Space Transportation System (STS 6 - "Challenger") / July 28, 1983 / Contents: Cork, Ablative, Hypalon paint" The problem with this provenance is that July 28 is four days AFTER the STS-7 mission. Unless they mean it was tile installed for STS-6, and removed after the STS-7 mission? Would four days be long enough for someone at Edwards to take a look at the orbiter before putting atop the 747 back to KSC? |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-26-2002 09:22 AM
My ultimate item would have to be an authentic Neil Armstrong in a display case. Please note - the absence of the word 'signature' is intentional.  |
mensax
Member Posts: 861
From: Virginia
Registered: Apr 2002
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posted 06-26-2002 04:42 PM
I'd most like to get something flown to the moon on each mission. Once I've done that then I'd like to get something flown on the rest of the Apollo missions. I think I'm very fortunate to have already gotten something from Apollos 11, 14, and 17... a medallion, a patch, and an American flag. I would love a Virginia flag, a cross, or a bible, a part of a capsule, or a tool, or a piece of a spacesuit... ah dreaming! While I'm at it, a photo signed by all of the original Mercury seven!Noah |
WAWalsh
Member Posts: 809
From: Cortlandt Manor, NY
Registered: May 2000
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posted 07-06-2002 07:47 AM
I strongly suspect that John Young carried one or even several items on each of his missions (a family ring, dime, flag, astronaut pin, etc.). Somehow, an object that flew on the first Gemini mission, another Gemini mission, handled the first solo around the Moon, landed on the Moon, participated in the first shuttle launch and witnessed the release of the Spacelab would qualify as a holy grail for anyone's collection. |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 07-14-2002 06:42 PM
My true grail (like the real grail, impossible to obtain) would be the American flag laying in the dust of Tranquility Base.A more realistic grail would be the following quote written and signed by the man who spoke it: "Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed." (It would go perfect with my quote written and signed by Col. Aldrin: "Contact light. OK, engine stop.") ------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
BobbyA
Member Posts: 147
From: Northern Virginia
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 07-28-2002 12:17 PM
I would love Al Shepard's golf club that he used on the moon, or some of Gus' dimes that they pulled out of Liberty Bell 7. But the best would be a lunar rover that the crews of Apollos 15, 16, and 17 used in training. How would you like to drive that around the neighborhood? |
MelvinSchuetz
Member Posts: 35
From: Waco, TX
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 07-28-2002 01:59 PM
I just got mine, and it took 35 years total! My desire was to acquire a complete "set" of all ten editions/translations of the classic Willy Ley/Chesley Bonestell book, "The Conquest of Space". Aside from its publication in this country by the Viking Press, it was also published in Great Britain and in eight foreign languages. Just recently I got the last one I needed, and so I now have them all. They are: American, British, French, German, Dutch, Italian, Spanish, Swedish, Finnish and Japanese. I always figured that the hardest one to get would be the Japanese translation, but actually it was the next-to-last one I got; the last one I found was the Finnish edition! |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 07-28-2002 02:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aztecdoug:
My running joke with my fiancé has been, "Naval Aviation in Space." That is obtainable, and it will be mine one day!
Well, it came true this past Friday. I finally received my much longed for, "Naval Aviation In Space." It is hanging in the stairway with, "Reaching For The Stars," "Hammer and the Feather," my autographed pencil drawing* of Alan Bean holding the soil sample and some other pen and inks of mine. I get to look at it every time I go up or down the stairs. *I drew it, not Alan Bean.It only cost me double! (I had to buy my wife something of greater value first of course!) Thanks to Novaspace for making my dream come true! Now for the other stuff on my list... I will keep playing the lotto! ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
John R. Cooper
Member Posts: 20
From: Ocean, NJ 07712
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-28-2002 05:20 PM
The prize of my collection arrived last week, an Alan Bean original painting titled "Carrying out the ALSEP". The colors are fantastic and it looks great framed with a blue velvet matte, words can't describe how thrilled I am with it. |
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