Antiques Roadshow: Apollo spacesuit (layer)

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Author	Topic: Antiques Roadshow: Apollo spacesuit (layer)
thisismills Member Posts: 290 From: Michigan Registered: Mar 2012	posted 01-06-2020 11:15 PM The season 24 premiere of Antiques Roadshow contained an appraisal of an Apollo era spacesuit outer layer. Since this program was filmed at the Winterthur Museum in Delaware it was nice to see something show up from ILC Dover. The appraisal starts at 25 minutes into the program and according to the owner has been on public display in the past, during K-12 education programs. According to the owner, it was purchased at an ILC sale for $100. Does anyone know if this was this a one time sale or if regular dispositions were made once hardware was deemed surplus?
moorouge Member Posts: 2457 From: U.K. Registered: Jul 2009	posted 01-07-2020 02:41 AM I suspect that it was a display suit. Back in 1972 I had this reply from ILC whilst investigating the claim that someone had one of Buzz Aldrin's suits. The display models consist of two layers – an outer covering the same as that used in the actual suits and an inner rubberised layer. These mock-ups have the outward appearance of a real suit and are made for sale. They cost between £300 and £600. Examples are to be seen at Madame Tussaud’s worn on the effigies of the ‘11’ crew. The full suit has fifteen or more layers, together with a pressure garment worn underneath. It would seem that the valuation given is way too high. On edit - this said, in 1972 the person claiming to have an Aldrin training suit paid £2000 for a half share in the above mentioned example which at the time was owned by a Canadian and used to advertise his double-glazing firm.
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4197 From: England Registered: Feb 2001	posted 01-07-2020 02:46 AM In the mid 70s ILC held a yard sale when a lot of reject and surplus Apollo suit items were sold off. I am told anecdotaly that many surplus or reject dipped IVA gloves, minus the hardware sold for $10 a pair and I've heard stories of more significant suit pieces selling too. ILC now have an agreement with the Smithsonian to hand over such surplus kit.

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