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Topic: RR Auction January 2011 space auction
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BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 08-24-2010 04:47 PM
RR Auction will reach for the stars in January 2011 as it debuts a special Space Artifacts auction. This stellar endeavor will feature only the finest flight-flown objects extant. RRAuction is searching for your unique NASA-related material, including objects used in the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab missions. All material must have a minimum value of at least $1,000, and will be accepted at a special 10% commission rate with no extra fees. To tell us about your items, contact Bob Eaton by phone at (603) 732-4280 or by email at bob@rrauction.com.
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BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 09-24-2010 12:12 PM
Here is the first press release for our space auction. RRAuction Prepares Its Premier Space Artifacts Sale For Lift-OffAMHERST, N.H. -- RRAuction breaks boundaries once again -- reaching into outer space to bring bidders approximately 500 unique and amazing objects in a special Space Artifacts sale in January 2011. This maiden voyage -- the first space artifacts auction undertaken by the company -- features high quality, select pieces spanning the decades from the early rocketry program to the space shuttle. "Reflecting upon our long history of providing high-quality signed documents and photos, as well as our impeccable reputation for customer service, we decided the time was right to apply these positive attributes to another segment of the collecting hobby -- people who love space-flown artifacts," said Bob Eaton, RRAuction's owner. "Our reputation hinges on offering only the best items, authenticated by some of the best people in the business. That's true of our monthly autograph auctions and it's certainly true of this special space artifacts event." Among the stunning pieces is the headset that received and transmitted the first words between a man on the Earth and a man on the moon. This tangible piece of history was worn by Charlie Duke on July 20, 1969 as CAPCOM for Apollo 11 during the descent and. The words from Buzz Aldrin "Contact light, OK, engine stop" and Charlie Duke's reply "We copy you down Eagle" rank as the most pivotal conversation in the history of our species. These few words are arguably far more significant than the more famous, but of necessity contrived, "Giant leap" statement. Words that changed the world as we knew it in 1969 ... words spoken to and by Duke -- and all mankind -- transmitted to this simple headset. Complementing the risky part of space exploration is the "risque" part -- a calendar photo of Playboy magazine's Miss August 1967, DeDe Lind, which was stashed away in the Apollo 12 command module Yankee Clipper during its November 1969 voyage to the moon. Although photocopied images of Playboy bunnies made it to the lunar surface during the mission, this item remains one of only two only original color likenesses to make it out of Earth's orbit. Command module pilot Richard Gordon has signed and certified the back of this item. Another unique object is the Roosevelt dime Grissom carried in his spacesuit during the 1965 Gemini 3 mission -- the one and only dime that flew onboard with the astronaut. The coin was later given to Guenter Wendt, NASA's pad leader -- but not before Grissom etched "GT 3" onto the coin's face in commemoration. Wendt himself provided provenance for this item for the collecting community. Collectors of flight-flown material always covet the small American flags carried by crews into space, and this RRAuction event will not disappoint such aficionados, as a flight-flown flag from each Apollo mission is present, each as an individual lot. The Apollo 11 example, with the accompanying signatures of Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and Michael Collins, is the only such known example. The Apollo 17 flag was presented to Mercury astronaut Deke Slayton upon its return to Earth. Here, as well, are silver Robbins Medals from each Apollo mission. These scarce and highly collectible mementos, some of which made their way to the moon and back, are prized whenever they can be found -- with this being the first time they are offered as a complete run in one setting. The first Robbins Medals were created for the Apollo 7 mission after Walter Cunningham wanted a special medallion to take on the mission. They proved so popular that every mission into space since has carried on the tradition. They are manufactured by the Robbins Company of Attleboro, Massachusetts. All the medals created for the missions up to Apollo 14 were flown. Another interesting artifact is a 22-inch-long electric power instrument panel -- the same type of panel used by NASA during the mid-1960s and in preparation for the Apollo 1 mission, which claimed the lives of Gus Grissom and fellow astronauts Ed White and Roger Chaffee. North American Aviation sold the remaining parts from the Apollo program after the accident. This beautiful Apollo-era artifact -- with all of the associated electronics, wiring, dials, and switches -- has been held by the same owner for at least 30 years. As a renowned auction company, RRAuction has not forgotten the essential element of its business -- signatures. Numerous autographs from the best of the best are to be offered. It's exciting to think that this event will feature a signed photo from every possible mission crew assembled: photos from all of the history-making Mercury 7 astronauts, the heroic Apollo crews (including members of Apollo 1 and Apollo 11), the tragic Challenger crew, and of course, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin -- who in 1961 became the first human being in outer space. All signed items are reviewed by Scott Cornish, who has studied autographs for more than 30 years and specializes in authenticating space autographs; all flight-flown material is reviewed by some of the most well-regarded experts in that area of collecting. For information, visit the RRAuction web site or contact Bobby Livingston at bl@rrauction.com |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-24-2010 01:07 PM
Bobby where do I find the artifacts on your website? When I visit the link above I get a listing of 87 items, all of which seem to be autographs. I cannot find the artifacts above (dime, instrument panel etc.). |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 09-24-2010 01:16 PM
Gary, I apologize because we have not created the landing pages for the featured items yet. I will post them here when they are ready. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 09-24-2010 07:45 PM
This is great news! I for one welcome RR to the space auction market. They have done a great job with their monthly auctions with space, and being associated with Scott on autographs, goes a long way. With their excellent service and customer supoort, as well as years of experience, client base, and contacts among collectors -- this is sure to be an auction to watch! (And take part in.) Best of luck to all! |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 10-27-2010 04:27 PM
You may find the first 12 preview lots for our January space auction here.Please let me know your thoughts. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 10-31-2010 09:23 AM
Bobby - a great "appetizer" selection! Can't wait to see the other lots in the auction. Some very cool stuff already -- congrats. I like the pictures and the descriptions are well done, too. Most space auctions provide an estimate final hammer value. Will RR be doing this? I know you normally do not with your monthly auctions, but given the nature of this auction (items not normally seen by your client base, physically flown pieces, etc.) versus the normal RR monthly auction with autographs, I thought I'd ask. Again - great first selection! Richard |
ilbasso Member Posts: 1522 From: Greensboro, NC USA Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 10-31-2010 07:45 PM
Bobby, I sent you an email the other day about an item in which you might be interested, but did not hear back - perhaps my email ended up in your spam folder? Jonathan |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 11-03-2010 07:36 AM
Jonathan, I did find your email and again I apologize because we stopped accepting consignments on October 1st. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-12-2010 04:02 PM
Great interview with Bobby on ABC radio in Australia about the auction. Check it out... |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 12-13-2010 03:59 PM
Very cool slide show on CNBC's website in their Alternative Asset section about the upcoming auction. Check it out...I notice if you click on the link to RR from the CNBC profile, you get to preview ALL of the 450+ auction lots! Some cool stuff it looks like. |
daveblog Member Posts: 135 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2004
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posted 12-13-2010 04:42 PM
I am curious about lot 21, which is a photo of Adam West as Batman. The Batman series did not air until January of 1966, and this particular photo is from the cover of the Life magazine from March 11, 1966. Does anyone know if this photo existed in 1963, which I am guessing is when it claims to be from? |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-13-2010 06:14 PM
It should be noted that Lot 117 is labeled incorrectly (probably because the consignor himself never realized his own mistake when he had the photo on his website). This is not a photo of the Gemini 9 crew with Gordon Cooper "filling in" as a practical joke. Instead the photo is of the Gemini 12 crew (Lovell and Aldrin) with their backup crew standing behind them (Cooper and Cernan). No joke was intended. |
SpaceSteve Member Posts: 428 From: San Antonio TX, USA Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 12-13-2010 06:47 PM
quote: Originally posted by daveblog: The Batman series did not air until January of 1966, and this particular photo is from the cover of the Life magazine from March 11, 1966.
As best I can tell, William Dozier (the producer of the Batman TV series and 1966 movie), didn't start Greenway Productions (the company cited in the Batman credits), until 1964. It is also mentioned that he didn't think up the idea until after DC Comics revamped the Batman comic in 1964.So, I don't see how this picture could have possibly been in a Mercury capsule. |
daveblog Member Posts: 135 From: Bergenfield, NJ USA Registered: May 2004
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posted 12-14-2010 09:54 AM
Upon closer examination of the image in lot 21, it is clearly clipped from the Life magazine cover which came out in 1966. You can see the red from the Life logo behind Batman's head. Here is the magazine cover and here is the item in the auction. |
mjanovec Member Posts: 3811 From: Midwest, USA Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-14-2010 01:01 PM
quote: Originally posted by daveblog: Upon closer examination of the image in lot 21, it is clearly clipped from the Life magazine cover which came out in 1966. You can see the red from the Life logo behind Batman's head.
Nice find! Since the magazine is dated March 11, 1966, there are perhaps three options for how this photo was used: - It was placed in the Gemini 12 capsule (or a simulator) during pre-flight training, where Cooper was backup commander.
- It was placed on the Apollo 10 capsule (or simulator) where Cooper was backup commander.
- Perhaps Wendt was mistaken about his use of this photo and used it for some other purpose.
I would lean towards the photo being used for Gemini 12, probably during a simulator exercise...since Gemini 12 was in 1966. It seems less likely that Wendt would have held onto the photo for nearly three years to use as a gotcha for Apollo 10. |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 12-14-2010 01:45 PM
Dave, Rich and everyone, thank you for pointing these errors out. Because of the provenance of item #21, we have decided not to withdraw the Batman. Look for the descriptions to be updated online. Regrettably, the print catalog is already at the printers. |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 12-14-2010 01:55 PM
Here is a link to the virtual catalog.We only ordered a limited supply of the print version. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 12-14-2010 02:28 PM
Bobby, kudos on the virtual catalog. A beautiful job! Very impressive. |
arjuna unregistered
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posted 12-14-2010 02:50 PM
How does one go about ordering the printed catalog? (I'm already registered with RR Auction but don't see an obvious link.) Thanks. |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 12-14-2010 03:06 PM
John, I made sure you were on the mailing list. If you are registering for the first time with rrauction, please tell Stacey that you want the Space print catalog when she completes your registration. For current clients, please email me at bl@rrauction.com if you are concerned and I will make sure you are on the mailing list for print catalog. I am doing the list this week. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2010 07:04 AM
Lot 325 (identified as a flown Apollo 15 LM Electrical Umbilical) provenance is dubious and another example of why Astronaut LOA's are non-authoritative. We saw this same lot previously at Heritage (and possibly Aurora during 2007) at which point the umbilical was described as lunar landed/from Scott's PLSS.The drawing (part) number on this artifact is LDW280-12107-1; the Apollo 15 ASL (line items 3085 and 3086) reports the two flown electrical harness assemblies were actually LDW390-60476-1 and 60477-1. No other stowed components on that mission bear LDW280 prefix part numbers. Conclude lot 325 was not flown onboard Endeavor/Falcon. |
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-15-2010 08:09 AM
Scott, while I truly respect your expertise on artifact knowledge, unfortunately I have to disagree with you on the LM Umbilical. We worked particularly hard on the provenance on this artifact. First, we had to track down what this cable was in the first place. Then I had to discuss the artifact with Dave Scott and show him photographic evidence of where it was placed in the spacecraft. Dave went back into his notes and realized where the both cables were placed for the trip home, which was in temp lockers F1 and F2 by the base of the LEB Nav station. Then, because the stowage lists are not 100% accurate, another collector actually went back and looked at the second Apollo 15 LM Umbilical Cable that was presented to Deke Slayton and reviewed those part and serial numbers. Those part and serial numbers read right off the cable are LO1 W12 06361 SN 8009827. Scott's cable numbers directly off his cable were LO1 W11 06361 SM 8009823. That is four digits off from the serial number directly from Deke's presentation. If there is a problem with this piece, it is due to the fact that the astronaut was incorrect and thought he had taken his PLSS cable during the close out process after the mission as well as auction houses not asking knowledgeable people to review artifacts before placing them up on their sites as happened last year. Last year's Heritage fiasco started the research on this cable. What I did appreciate was Dave Scott's willingness to review his material and do further research on his part and accept that he was mistaken and correct the matter. We went through the Stowage lists and AFJ and all the photos we could find to identify the cable's use and where it was installed in the spacecraft. There was a lot of research work done on this cable before I put together the COA for Dave Scott's signature. The piece is flown on Endeavor and launched inside Falcon. Like I said, I think your knowledge is amazing and I can understand why you would be dubious about this piece. I even explained that issue to Dave Scott. I expected you to comment on the object, so we worked especially hard to prove the case. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2010 08:33 AM
quote: Originally posted by Larry McGlynn: Those part and serial numbers read right off the cable are LO1 W12 06361 SN 8009827. Scott's cable numbers directly off his cable were LO1 W11 06361 SM 8009823. That is four digits off from the serial number directly from Deke's presentation.
It's not surprising to me the serial numbers would be close but non-sequential as the individual components were likely manufactured in batches by the subcontractor. That doesn't corroborate flight affiliation. The ASL in any case detailed stowed items based on NAA, Grumman and NASA assigned drawing numbers. And all three J mission ASLs (which were prepared individually) reflect the same Grumman drawing numbers for the two flown harnesses. It is difficult to believe the same mistake would have been made on each mission since all stowed items were laid out on a table and validated against the ASL prior to being uploaded to the flight vehicle. |
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-15-2010 10:08 AM
Dave Scott stated that he received this cable as part of the flown material that was on his mission from bonded storage. We found part and serial numbers that matched the numbers on the Deke Slayton's flown presentation. Neither cable is listed on ASL, but the crew presented the sister cable to Deke as flown. One thing that I have found about the Apollo missions is that you cannot interpolate what happened on one mission as happening on all missions. The astronaut says it flew and his crew gave the twin of this piece to their boss as a thank you gift of a part that was flown on a mission. Maybe we can share further information that you have to help prove the flight status of this piece. You can reach me at my personal email address to discuss it. |
space1 Member Posts: 853 From: Danville, Ohio Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 12-15-2010 11:45 AM
While I have no desire to get into the middle of this, I just want to point out that the LDW280-12107-1 part number to which Scott refers is for the retaining straps only, not for the whole assembly. This is another potentially confusing feature of the stowage lists - they only list one number for an item which may consist of several numbered parts. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2010 11:51 AM
In the case of this artifact, Scott signed a LOA attesting initially that the cable was lunar landed; and now we have him definitively stating it was flown aloft though that position is in-congruent with the documentation.Scott is not the only astronaut who flew multiple missions who has incorrectly asserted provenance - it's possible the cables were co-mingled in storage, his personal collection, during post flight testing. Other then his memory there is no substantiation this was flown on 15. |
SpaceAholic Member Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2010 12:12 PM
quote: Originally posted by space1: I just want to point out that the LDW280-12107-1 part number to which Scott refers is for the retaining straps only, not for the whole assembly.
And unfortunately there are no other (Grumman) drawing numbers visible on the cable or in the current/subsequent auction descriptions. However the ASL (at least for each of the 3 "J" missions) does cite identical Grumman drawing number for both harness assemblies on-board Apollo 15, 16 and 17 LMs at launch. |
Larry McGlynn Member Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 12-15-2010 12:25 PM
Due to the prior problems with this cable, I explained the possibility that this piece might not sell to Dave Scott. Dave still insists that it is a flown piece from his collection. I have no qualms with you on the matter of this artifact. I acknowledge the great research that you have performed over years. People will have to make their own decision on the piece. I told Dave that if it didn't sell then I would buy it from him. I feel that comfortable with the piece and it's provenance based on the research that we have done. |
freshspot unregistered
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posted 12-15-2010 02:24 PM
What makes this particular issue more difficult is that the item was originally misidentified. It's great that Larry has done the research as a favor to Dave Scott. It's just too bad that other auction houses did not do the required work to verify the actual use of the cable in question prior to listing it in previous auctions. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 12-15-2010 02:35 PM
Editor's note: The replies to this topic that were on the general subject of astronaut certification versus NASA documentation were moved to their own thread. |
FullThrottle Member Posts: 93 From: Seattle, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 12-15-2010 06:53 PM
#248 - Picture of Buzz AldrinYour auction description says: "Outstanding color 10 x 8 NASA photo of Armstrong, clad in his white space suit, in profile with a lunar lander model, signed in blue felt tip, “We came in peace for all mankind, 1969 A.D., Buzz Aldrin, Apollo XI LMP.” In very fine condition. Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RRAuction COA. Sure looks like Buzz on the photo to me! I don't really care one way or another but figure I'd point it out in case anyone else did. |
BLivingston Member Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
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posted 12-16-2010 10:00 AM
Thank you for catching that! It's Buzz and we updated the description online.Overall, I think the writing staff at RR Auction did a tremendous job producing a well written auction catalog. |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-21-2010 04:16 PM
Lot 276 Apollo 13 flag - the inscription is in Fred Haise's hand, NOT Lovell. |
David Carey Member Posts: 782 From: Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 12-29-2010 11:32 PM
Perhaps I am over-reaching from the description or otherwise have my facts wrong but Lot 210 is in a different font from what I see as the lettering on mission-used suits for A11. Seems like an "experimental design printing" or some such would be closer to the correct description. Don't mean to nit-pick as it looks like a great lineup of material overall. |
FullThrottle Member Posts: 93 From: Seattle, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 01-11-2011 06:29 PM
I'm having trouble viewing the auction... I can flip through the digital book just fine, but cannot click into an item description.It's been working great for a month until today! Now when it opens the item description window it times out and says "problem loading page." I have a few questions about a couple of the auctions, and am trying to make final decisions on what I'd like to bid on... Being a rookie to space collecting I really don't know what I'm buying but I think it would look great on my wall! Is anybody else having trouble with the RR Auction preview/item description not loading? |
Greggy_D Member Posts: 977 From: Michigan Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 01-11-2011 06:59 PM
I'm also having problems even opening the home page. |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-11-2011 07:21 PM
If you are having trouble viewing the website, for whatever reason, click on Bobby's link above to the virtual catalog. It is hosted at another site, and you should have no trouble viewing that. Just a thought. I've flipped through the virtual already just a little while ago. It's a lot more fun that click through links on a site. |
FullThrottle Member Posts: 93 From: Seattle, WA, USA Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 01-11-2011 09:00 PM
Sorry, the virtual catalog is what I'm having problems with. When I go to RR's site I can only see about 20 items previewed and can't even find a full list to browse.I better figure out what I'm doing... My bid # doesn't help if I can't use it! |
rjurek349 Member Posts: 1190 From: Northwest Indiana Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 01-11-2011 09:45 PM
I see. What I meant was this link to the virtual catalog. Not the listings/preview on the website. The above catalog is hosted by zMag. I just tried it again, and it works fine. |