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Author
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Topic: Bonhams space auction (July 2009)
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Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 07-13-2009 04:07 PM
   
Here are some pictures of the Bonhams' showroom at Madison Avenue in New York City. There will be three more viewing sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and a limited showing until noon on Thursday, July 16th. Good luck if you plan to bid. 
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MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 07-15-2009 01:32 AM
Some amazing lots, however methinks they set these prices before anyone had heard of Bernie Madoff.Good luck to anyone here who is willing to give a DNA sample in order to bid.  |
mmmoo
Member Posts: 551
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-16-2009 12:48 PM
Results are coming in on the Bonhams WebsiteSo far it looks like most lots are reaching and even surpassing the high estimates! |
MadSci
Member Posts: 226
From: Maryland, USA
Registered: Oct 2008
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posted 07-16-2009 06:24 PM
I don't have the catalog in front of me, but wasn't the Flown Cufflist supposed to go for $300k? Not the $170k it realized? |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 07-16-2009 10:03 PM
Did I read this right? Lot 119, Lunar module litho signed by four moonwalkers plus two other Apollo astronauts, all living and attending signing events, sold for $5,124? Is the litho considered rare?Dang, somebody has money. |
StarDome
New Member Posts:
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posted 07-17-2009 02:17 AM
WOW! Item #101 LM Descent Engine Model went for $5185! Now I feel good. Seems there are some really high prices in this auction for stuff that maybe isn't worth it? I am sure some of you guys have similar items to those offered in this sale and are also happy at their high sale prices. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-17-2009 06:11 AM
quote:
Originally posted by StarDome:
I am sure some of you guys have similar items to those offered in this sale and are also happy at their high sale prices.
Not really. I don't plan to sell any of my cool stuff anyway. |
StarDome
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 07-17-2009 08:18 AM
I was amazed at some of the prices. I bought one of those engines cheaply, but just goes to show how much some people are willing to pay. As for selling your cool stuff. I agree, don't do it!, but my wife has other ideas! I may end up parting with the lot I have over the next year.  |
NJSPACEFAN
Member Posts: 128
From: Ocala, FL USA
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 07-17-2009 08:53 AM
I was at the auction. The the model you speak of #101 was the property of Max Faget, as were most of the models there. I think that the provenance is adding to the value. Many of the signed photos had suprisingly high bids - and the bidding really was from phone to floor and back for those, it really wasn't a posted "order" type bid where someone left a high bid. I think the real bargain of the auction was item 153 - the flown Apollo 10 charm which had a $1000 winning bid before the premium. Some of the passed items had reserves in the 50-70% of the low bid as the auctioneer would bid the item up until he hit the number and then bang the gavel and say passed. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-18-2009 06:17 AM
Some amazing prices for easily obtainable signatures, e.g. - Lot 143 Ap8 flight plan signed by Lovell for $3660
 - Lot 145 Lunar Landing profile for $23,180 signed by living astros who could be obtained for about $1000.
I think I could be consigning next time....I just hope Bonhams spend some of their hard-gained commission to kick their web technology into the 21st century. Pages that load in less than 2 minutes would be nice, as well as on-line bidding - apparently it's all the rage these days. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-18-2009 11:07 AM
Does Bonhams do any post auction sales for unsold items? |
bunnkwio
Member Posts: 113
From: Naperville, IL USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 07-18-2009 11:41 AM
I think we also have to keep in mind that an auction house like Bonhams is going to get people with WAY deeper pockets than Lunar Legacies (I hope Donnis takes no offense, I love his auctions! Just wish I wouldn't be outbid every time.) Its the nature of the system. I can sell something on ebay for $500, and the same item can go through Christie's and get $2500. I don't think too many people who own Picassos are surfing ebay, but they'll get a Bonham's catalog. Speaking of which... has anyone ever tried to catalog the space flown items that have made it through auction houses? I'd love to have time to go through the old catalogs and create an online database of items that have been flown; a sort-of online 'relics of the space race'. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-18-2009 11:47 AM
quote:
Originally posted by bunnkwio:
I'd love to have time to go through the old catalogs and create an online database of items that have been flown; a sort-of online 'relics of the space race'.
It's an idea I have pursued for cS. The primary obstacle is that catalog content and auction data (e.g. prices realized) belong to the auction house. Prior inquiries with certain auction houses have returned less than supportive replies. Some auction houses don't want auction archives online unless it is on their website (in part because they don't want side-by-side comparisons with other auction houses). |
bunnkwio
Member Posts: 113
From: Naperville, IL USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 07-18-2009 12:01 PM
Of course, not all prior data would be able to be assembled, especially direct from the auction houses. I know places like Aurora, Heritage and Superior (I think) have their prior prices realized online. RR will have them later this year. Even if the prices realized cannot all be posted, it would be a nice reference to know what is out there, especially for comparing items. I think it would be a great idea, Robert. Lord knows how many hours I've spent looking at old catalogs just to be amazed as to the items that are 'out there'. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 07-18-2009 12:59 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Lot 145 Lunar Landing profile for $23,180 signed by living astros who could be obtained for about $1000.
I know what I'm taking to ASF with me in November! |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 799
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 07-18-2009 03:31 PM
What is the web address for the Bonham's catalog? Please and thank you. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 07-18-2009 11:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by benguttery:
Does Bonhams do any post auction sales for unsold items?
Yes; post auction sales can be negotiated - I just completed such a transaction yesterday for a fantastic (to me at least) piece of flown A13 history. I worked through Matthew Haley at Bonhams; keep in mind the 20-22% buyers premium still applies. I couldn't resist... |
driftingtotheright
unregistered
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posted 07-19-2009 08:33 PM
I was also able to get a post-auction buy on #161, Apollo space suit cover; just couldn't resist ILC label of SIZE ARMSTRONG.(Its TMG serial number of 063 on the label also corresponds to that of Neil's flown A7L as listed on p.149 of the recently released book SPACESUITS. I know it's not flown, but does this mean it was manufactured in conjunction with the holy grail of spacesuits?) |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-20-2009 10:16 PM
Something I thought was really interesting in this sale was the life raft, Item 14. Its sale at just over $4,000 seemed like a good deal. Are there many of these out there? |
413 is in
Member Posts: 628
From: Alexandria, VA USA
Registered: May 2006
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posted 07-26-2009 10:18 PM
As can be seen, it was standing room only for this first space auction at Bonhams. I saw many familiar faces there, including some old friends from Swann. However, at the preview event and on the day of the auction itself, I spoke with many people who stated that this was their first introduction to the space memorabilia market. Many of these first-time space enthusiasts were previous Bonhams customers.  This picture was taken just after Fred Haise left for the day. He gave a brief lecture at the special preview on the night before the auction and was in attendance for the first hour or so of the auction itself the next day. Unfortunately he had to leave before any of his items were on the block. The auction lasted 5 hours with no breaks! Bidding was active both on the floor and via telephone. All in all I think it was quite successful, particularly given the state of the current economy. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 09-03-2009 01:29 PM
I wanted to post a little recap of the Bonhams auction sooner, but it has been a busy summer. I attended the auction and like other auctions have been pleasantly surprised by the results. They are bucking the trend of economic downturn over the last few years. Personally, I attribute that to people looking to buy hard items that will hold value as opposed to financial investment vehicles. The aforementioned reason plus the fact that it is the Fortieth Anniversary of Apollo 11, I think, added to the interest and the higher values attained at this auction. My wife and I drove down to New York the day before the auction and were lucky enough to attend the pre-auction gala that night. Bonhams is now in a new spacious and beautifully appointed location down on Madison Ave near Central Park. Which made it an enjoyable walk from our hotel.  Fred Haise attended the gala and gave a very good and understated presentation of his Apollo 13 mission as well as he work in testing flying the Shuttle. Fred had put up several lots to raise money for his museum project, which was the reason for his attendance and he would not be disappointed by the results. The evening also gave us some time to view all the auction lots and we even had a chance to gently handle a few artifacts that would eventually sell in that rarified atmosphere of six figures. One of these artifacts was Charlie Duke's cuff checklist from his Apollo 16 lunar surface EVAs presented to Fred for his work on the mission.  The next day, I arrived at opening time and saw the "usual suspects" and it was great to catch up with them and compare notes. I also saw many new faces which bodes well for the continuation of the hobby. I also counted eight TV station video cameras set up to watch the auction. I can also say that the room was packed for the beginning of the auction.  The auction generated numbers that reminded me of the 1999 Christie's auction. I watched the Apollo 11 circular star chart bids spiral up over $100,000 and beyond in amazement with a final bid of $218,000 with buyer's premium.  In talking with Gregg Linebaugh, he told me that there were some new buyers in this auction. The final result of the auction was just short of Two Million Dollars. According to Gregg that number exceeded the 1999 Christie's auction making it the record for an auction of US space material. The collectors that I sat with were able to get some real bargains that were mixed in with the lots that generated intense bidding with lofty results. I was able to acquire a couple of smaller lots like Fred's Apollo 13 training CSM Systems Data checklist for a price that is comparable of some astronaut signatures. All in all, it was a very enjoyable time in the Big Apple. It was great to see old collecting buddies and meet a few new ones. |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 09-03-2009 03:35 PM
Hey Larry, I was one of the "usual suspects". It was great to see you there. I'm really glad I made the journey as the live auction experience is much more fun than watching online. |
4allmankind
Member Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 09-04-2009 11:05 AM
Great write-up Larry, thanks for sharing it. That was a fun day and it was a real treat to see all of those fantastic flown artifacts up-close. The Apollo 11 case in particular stands out most in my mind. My lots arrived on-time and well packed so I am of course pleased with the Bonham's service and hope they continue to do space sales. It was nice seeing you guys that day. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 09-06-2009 07:56 AM
Jay and David, it was good to see you and a bunch of other collectors at the auction. It is always good to see you guys. ------------------
Larry McGlynn
A Tribute to Apollo
www.apollotribute.blogspot.com |
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