Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 01-11-2011 11:02 PM
I've been in touch with RR. They are back up and running. It seems that unprecedented press coverage, particularly overseas, has led to overwhelming web traffic to their site. They have resolved the traffic issues and are putting additional protections in place.
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 01-12-2011 07:51 AM
Quick update and apologies. The preview and bidtracker for the space auction are still offline temporarily.
The Apollo 12 calender press reports directed an unprecedented amount of traffic to our webservers. Here are some of the articles (note: some include uncensored reproductions of the Playboy calendar):
As most of you know, our regular auction ends today so as soon as we wrap that up, expect the space preview to be restored.
Also, our plan is to launch the space auction at approximately 5pm ET tomorrow.
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 01-13-2011 08:56 AM
The starting time for the special space auction will be approximately 11:00 pm ET. today, January 13th.
For those registered, look for an email from RR Auction announcing the auction has gone live.
We are still accepting registrations until January 20th.
Ross Member
Posts: 472 From: Australia Registered: Jul 2003
posted 01-19-2011 06:49 AM
I've been trying to register for the last 3 or 4 days with no luck. I filled in the online form and a day or two later send an email requesting my bidding number. So far no reply. As it is now late at night on 19th in Sydney, Australia it is probably too late as I probably won't see any response in time.
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 01-19-2011 08:12 AM
Ross, I apologize because you have not received your login info.
RR Auction did approve your application to bid 4 days ago. The email address here on cS and the one you submitted don't quite match.
Please contact me directly at bl@rrauction.com and we will get you ready to go in Australia.
Ross Member
Posts: 472 From: Australia Registered: Jul 2003
posted 01-19-2011 10:02 AM
Just a quick thank you to Bob who has contacted me with my bidder information. And in time for me to put in a few bids. Now, fingers crossed.
Spacefest Member
Posts: 1168 From: Tucson, AZ Registered: Jan 2009
posted 01-19-2011 12:03 PM
Lot #143, an unflown spoonbowl of Pot Roast was featured on a CNN story this morning.
Editor's note: Here's the clip...
capoetc Member
Posts: 2169 From: McKinney TX (USA) Registered: Aug 2005
posted 01-20-2011 07:57 AM
Some pretty impressive prices realized in this auction so far, and still almost a day to go.
For example, the John Holland's Apollo 7 flown US flag is up to over $4,000 now -- maybe Walt Cunningham's flown Apollo 7 US flags on his web site are under-priced at $1,800 ...
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 01-20-2011 08:21 AM
To be fair, the Apollo 7 presentation in the auction is crew signed, but you're right that it's likely the high bidders aren't aware that they could buy a flown flag direct from one of the crew for half the price.
Overall the prices seem very healthy indeed. I reckon David Worrow made the right decision to consign his collection to this particular auction as the prices in general are much higher than those of most of the space auctions of the last few years.
I guess these results will mean RR is almost certain to hold another Space auction in the future, and I doubt they'll be short of consignments.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 01-20-2011 05:47 PM
quote:Originally posted by capoetc: Some pretty impressive prices realized in this auction so far
quote:Originally posted by spaced out: Overall the prices seem very healthy indeed. I reckon David Worrow made the right decision to consign his collection to this particular auction as the prices in general are much higher than those of most of the space auctions of the last few years.
Yes, it appears the recession is over. I'm dumbfounded right now at some of these bids.
SpaceSteve Member
Posts: 428 From: San Antonio TX, USA Registered: Apr 2004
posted 01-20-2011 06:00 PM
quote:Originally posted by Greggy_D: I'm dumbfounded right now at some of these bids.
I'm dumbfounded and speechless!
I've had the Ed White signed Gemini 4 cover on my radar ever since the preview went up. It's the reason I didn't bid on any of the White signed covers in the recent eBay auctions by gastampman. After seeing the current price for R&R's White cover, I really wish I'd bid on the eBay covers last month.
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-20-2011 06:26 PM
Look at Lot 215. The Gene Kranz Apollo 11 map for over $18,000? And Lot 363, the Apollo 17 crew photo for over $3,000? Now I'm totally confused.
SpaceSteve Member
Posts: 428 From: San Antonio TX, USA Registered: Apr 2004
posted 01-20-2011 07:19 PM
Lot #16, B&W photo of the X-1, signed by Yeager, Hoover and Cardenas... $1,137!
rjurek349 Member
Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
posted 01-20-2011 08:12 PM
A wonderful, well executed auction! The global press was unprecedented -- and Bobby Livingston, Bob Eaton, and the whole crew at RR really helped set a new standard. I am really impressed. Kudos! And well done, all around.
JasonB Member
Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
posted 01-20-2011 08:21 PM
I was shocked to see that the Jim Irwin WSS portrait is over $4000. That seems ridiculous
poofacio Member
Posts: 268 From: United Kingdom Registered: Oct 2006
posted 01-20-2011 08:22 PM
In my humble opinion RR always have been, and remain, the best there is.
My faith in them has been well rewarded!
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 01-20-2011 08:29 PM
quote:Originally posted by rjurek349: and the whole crew at RR really helped set a new standard.
But how realistic is this new "standard"? I cannot fathom some of the prices realized tonight.
arjuna unregistered
posted 01-20-2011 10:30 PM
Crazy prices. My sense is this isn't exactly a one-off, but I think they're nonetheless somewhat inflated from the very effective publicity (which, to their credit, good on them). I don't think a second RR auction would necessarily fetch the same prices, but well, who knows? But $2400 for a full crew signed Apollo 14 print? Seriously?
Anything is worth what someone is willing to pay for it, so congrats to the consigners and to RR. Clearly the recession is over... for those at the very top of the tax bracket at least.
David Carey Member
Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
posted 01-20-2011 10:43 PM
Who really knows where the long term market will go but seems to me a pretty strong set of results for the day at least. Examples which parallel some of my holdings sold at 30-50%+ over what I'd feared as top of market prices when purchased in the last few years.
As a point of perspective, I recently bought a small hoard of 90s Superior catalogs. If the estimates listed there are any guide, I'd describe appreciation over the last 15-20 years as good to great. Some items were seemingly going for pennies on the dollar versus what I know they'd fetch now. To be honest, it was almost a bit depressing; "if only I had the funds back then..." and whatnot.
Anyway, my big fish got away today but success on an interesting LRL item.
In the big picture I just enjoy the hobby, enjoy what I do manage to collect, and appreciate the chance to curate some bits of history. It would be great if the collection turns out to be a good investment of course but my larger satisfaction comes from the day-to-day enjoyment of ownership, preservation, and sharing with anyone foolish enough to walk in my office and say "Wow!, what's all that stuff?"
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 01-21-2011 01:39 AM
quote:Originally posted by JasonB: I was shocked to see that the Jim Irwin WSS portrait is over $4000. That seems ridiculous
I've seen Irwin WSS SPs go for over $2000 in the past. They're by far the rarest of the moonwalker WSS photos in signed form. Even inscribed versions go to $1500 or more.
So $4000 is impressive but there's some basis for it.
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-21-2011 08:42 AM
Great results overall, but one high comparable doesn't make a market. Time will tell. While the results might not establish new pricing for our collections I can see some signing fees doubling or perhaps tripling as a result. Just my opinion.
And while recently searching for family Spring Break vacation options it was surprising to see that all of the high-end properties were fully booked a month or two ago. So while the think the recession is still gripping most of us, those with the funds are now spending freely.
mjanovec Member
Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
posted 01-21-2011 08:47 AM
Lot 368 was a real surprise. The price of nearly $2900 (with premium) for a Schmitt signature must be a new record. Most dealers would only charge $200-$300 for that one.
Congratulations to the consignors (and R&R) for what appears to have been a very successful auction.
AJ Member
Posts: 511 From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States Registered: Feb 2009
posted 01-21-2011 11:20 AM
Auctions are not my strong suit and this was my first time participating in a real, grown-up online auction (eBay doesn't count!). I was very pleased with the process, everything was explained well, I received kind emails from RR, and I even won an item! I got lucky in that the item I wanted was apparently of no interest to anyone else, so I was the sole bidder!
Thanks to RR for a great, entertaining auction.
Russ Still Member
Posts: 535 From: Atlanta, GA USA Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-21-2011 11:53 AM
I had my eye on Schirra's AMR badge ever since I found out David had consigned it. Really hoped to pick that one up, but it went a good bit past my limit. Anyone know who won it? Maybe one of you badges collectors here on cS?
MarkRP Member
Posts: 174 From: Michigan, USA Registered: Nov 2002
posted 01-21-2011 12:55 PM
For me the "What the hell!" bids went to the Apollo 17 crew signed photo (Lot 363) $3876 with buyers premium, the Harrison Schmitt signed WSS litho (Lot 367) $1969 with buyers premium and the Harrison Schmitt EVA litho (Lot 368) $2886 with buyers pemium.
I picked up an identical Apollo 17 crew signed photo from the Lunar Legacies auction a year or two ago for $400 and an identical Harrison Schmitt signed WSS litho this year on Ebay for $90.
Hats off to R&R and the consignors but I hope this isn't what all the future space auctions are going to look like. I may have to get a second job just to afford to bid on anything.
Greggy_D Member
Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
posted 01-21-2011 01:27 PM
quote:Originally posted by DSeuss5490: Look at Lot 215. The Gene Kranz Apollo 11 map for over $18,000?
This was my "What the Hell!" Lot. I'm sure the consignor is still doing cartwheels as we speak.
I'm still trying to comprehend why the prices were so elevated, even compared to auctions a short couple of months ago.
I wonder if any of the bidders are contracting buyer's remorse as they check out the real value of some of the items.
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 01-21-2011 01:30 PM
Im quite sure that very few collectors "in the know" won the items that are mentioned above. While the prices realized might be astonishing, I wonder how many of the bidders, most likely new registrants to RR, will actually default on their winnings. While its sometimes known when items are not won (or do not meet their reserve), whether the winnings are actually collected by the auction house is a mystery. Although I hope this is not the case for the consignors (or RR), I suspect there might be some unpaid bills for this one.
Russ Still Member
Posts: 535 From: Atlanta, GA USA Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-21-2011 01:34 PM
quote:Originally posted by Greggy_D: I'm still trying to comprehend why the prices were so elevated, even compared to auctions a short couple of months ago.
The answer: homework. You can see outrageous prices for auctioned items going back for years. I'd guess that these bidders aren't aware of other sources for material and don't hobnob with other collectors. Maybe eBay is too plebian for them. They go in with their checkbooks and little knowledge.
gliderpilotuk Member
Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
posted 01-21-2011 01:41 PM
The hedge fund market is obviously recovering!
arjuna unregistered
posted 01-21-2011 02:11 PM
I think Russ gets it right: rich dilettantes who either aren't aware of other sources, or too busy to deal with them, in which case $4000 for a CSS is the relative equivalent of buying a $60 meal at a restaurant for most people. These prices just won't sustain across the board, because those kind of buyers only come out for high profile auctions.
That said, I did get a couple of smaller pieces from DW's collection, and couldn't be more pleased. Thanks DW and RR, and congrats.
And not that I have anything against rich dilettantes, by the way. Wouldn't we all like to be one?
Kevin New Member
Posts: From: Registered:
posted 01-21-2011 05:05 PM
Watching the auction wrap up last evening made me wish I had studied harder in college. Sure is a big jolt to the ego when a large number of the bids had buyer premium fees that totaled quite a bit more than the two items I was able to win.
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 01-21-2011 05:22 PM
We want to thank everyone in the collectSPACE community for your help and guidance during RR Auction's record-breaking event.
We are thrilled and humbled by the remarkable results.
quote:Originally posted by Kevin: Watching the auction wrap up last evening made me wish I had studied harder in college.
This had nothing to do with college, Kevin. There's a reason they do not give out Doctorates in common sense. Few would earn that distinction.
Regardless... thanks for the auction, Bobby. It was quite entertaining and also had some interesting items available.
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 01-22-2011 02:49 AM
Regardless of any wild prices for particular items, the most important thing here is that this auction will have got a whole lot of collectors interested in space collectibles.
I'm convinced there are many people who grew up as fans of the manned space program but who have no idea you can buy items that were actually carried into space and even to the moon.
Hopefully the quotes from Robert and mentions of collectSPACE in the media will mean many of these people will find their way here.
spaceflori Member
Posts: 1499 From: Germany Registered: May 2000
posted 01-22-2011 03:29 AM
Chris couldn't have said it better - most importantly it drew a lot of media attention even here in Germany to space collectibles and no matter what single results are the overall success is what counts.
Obviously such a great collection like the one from David helped a lot making it a success.
Ok, so where's the underbidder on the Harrison Schmitt - would you please contact me!
MikeSpace unregistered
posted 01-23-2011 01:13 PM
Today I'm going to sit and stare at my "In The Beginning" lithograph I won at a Superior Stamp and Coin auction for $998, and the 'Naval Aviation In Space' I bought advertised in a magazine for $450. Many years ago of course, but...
The times they are a changin'.
I'm an very very happy for RR, but honestly, for some reason, I have no idea why, some of those prices blow me away. Not good, not bad, just... blown away.
SkyMan1958 Member
Posts: 867 From: CA. Registered: Jan 2011
posted 01-24-2011 01:31 PM
Like everybody here, I'm amazed at some of the prices realized. Some of the insanity for assorted autographed images particularly surprised me.
I've been collecting space memorabilia for years now, but have been around collecting fine art and antiques (e.g. watching my parents collect) since I was a child (I'm in my early 50's now). One thing that I've learned over that period of time is that one high profile item in an auction can bring a lot of press and newbie collectors out of the woodwork and cause a major POP in prices at that given auction. In the case of this auction I would respectfully suggest that it was the DeDe Lind picture. Just look at the above links in this thread to news sites around the world that focused on this item.
Making a long story short, I was the winner of the photo. While I got it predominantly because I like it and the story behind it, my decision to win it was also somewhat financial. The good Lord willing I'll be collecting space memorabilia for another 20+ years. When I eventually sell my collection I want there to be a high profile item that will bring out bidders that would not normally be looking at space memorabilia.
For what it's worth, the picture is the second most expensive space memorabilia item I've ever purchased (the most expensive is a sheet from the Log of Apollo 11, preparatory to landing on the Moon, that has some rather amusing handwritten items on it). The next (third) most expensive item I've ever purchased was about 60% of the price of the Lind picture. The vast majority of my collection is in the couple hundred to several thousand dollar range.
While I have been lurking on these boards for years, I finally registered within the last week. I was wondering, is there a SPECIFIC site on this board where people post pictures of items from their collection? I would LOVE to see what everyone here has! Like I mentioned, I'm a LONG time space junkie (and actually have a Ph.D. specializing in interpreting satellite imagery). Looking forward to getting to know you all!
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 01-24-2011 02:23 PM
quote:Originally posted by SkyMan1958: I was wondering, is there a SPECIFIC site on this board where people post pictures of items from their collection?
There is no specific thread or forum, but in addition to posts spread throughout this board, members who maintain their own collection galleries are listed under our websites directory.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 01-24-2011 02:40 PM
Welcome aboard SkyMan1958. You have some very nice items in your collection. I look forward to seeing more. Thanks for sharing.
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 01-24-2011 03:23 PM
I am pleased to announce that RR Auction will be holding its second Space Artifact and Autograph Auction in September 2011. Please contact Bob Eaton at bob@rrauction.com to discuss possible consignments.
Also, I was just down in the shipping department and they have filled an impressive 114 orders that will begin shipping today!