Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-26-2012 05:25 PM               

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Heritage Auction Galleries has posted nearly 50 featured lots from their upcoming Nov. 2, 2012 Space Exploration Signature Auction.

Proxy bidding begins around Oct. 14.

Posts: 235
From: Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Registered: Jan 2011

posted 09-26-2012 05:26 PM               

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I see the forthcoming Heritage space auction features an inflight coverall jacket worn by Gus Grissom which clearly has a different patch to the one currently listed by Chris Spain on his excellent website and listed as the crew patch.

Here's hoping I scoop this weeks Euromillions jackpot so I can secure this item and most of the other Gemini patches also featured in this auction.

Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 09-26-2012 06:26 PM               

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You might remember this discussion, stretching from 2004-2005, about whether or not Neil Armstrong ever wrote out his first words upon setting foot on the moon. (He was quoted at length in Hansen's book as saying he never did, not for the Smithsonian, nor for his mother!)

This intriguing Heritage item seems to have good provenance.

Posts: 114
From: SW La.
Registered: Aug 2006

posted 09-27-2012 10:41 PM            

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A few observations regarding the Robbins medallions that perhaps Howard Weinberger could comment on.

Should not there be a lack of Sterling hallmark on the Apollo 12 medals, numbered 1 and 4, as they would be from the "treasure fleet" ingot supplied by Mr. Rathmann?

Also, please note in the LOA from Tom Stafford for the Apollo 16 medal, dated July 2000, he states, "...the unflown [Apollo 16] medallions never receiving a serial number." This letter could have solved the Apollo 16 flown/unflown mystery several years earlier!

Posts: 587
From: Michigan
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-28-2012 08:48 AM               

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Each of the medals offered, numbered 1 and 4, are indeed without the sterling hallmark, which is consistent with the research.

In regard to the Stafford Apollo 16 medal, I do not understand your point. The research is correct and the letter is dated a year after my original Robbins book was published.

Posts: 114
From: SW La.
Registered: Aug 2006

posted 09-28-2012 12:46 PM            

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Thanks for the reply, Howard. As you have clarified that the Apollo 12's sterling hallmark is not present, contrary to the description, and since they are from the treasure fleet ingot, thus more scarce, they may be of greater value to a collector as well.

On the point relative to the Apollo 16, I refer you to your article, "The Enigmatic Apollo 16 Robbins Medals," copyrighted 2008, paragraphs 2 and 3. Then read Gen. Stafford's LOA in full.

Again, thanks for your interest, and landmark work on the Robbins medallions.

Posts: 587
From: Michigan
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 691
From: Salzburg, Austria
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 10-26-2012 12:13 PM               

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Heritage is offering two Edgar Mitchell CM-flown PPKs: Lots 40172 and 40173.

I thought, Edgar Mitchell had only two PPKs, the larger one flown on CM and the smaller one flown on the LM.

Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 10-26-2012 04:38 PM               

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We know for the Stowage List that there were at least 14 of the regular size PPK bags carried on Apollo 14 in the CM and at least one of the larger size bags (possible the one listed at Heritage).

We don't really know the way these were split between the crew. Some may well have carried items for shared use. For example, given the description of the larger bag in this auction it may have been used to carry music tapes for the crew.

After the flight some of these shared empty bags may have been given at random to crew members.

Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 10-26-2012 08:53 PM               

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Chris is right there were many PPKs carried on Apollo 14.

While the small CM PPK bag S/N 1114 was used as a PPK, the second larger bag was either used to hold the Data Card Kit in the R1 locker or as a PPK in the R2 locker. There are at least two large bags with the P/N SEB32100025-301 in the Stowage lists. Chances are that this bag stored the Data Card Kit until use.

A lot of these PPK bags were carried in later missions as the weight rules were relaxed.

Posts: 587
From: Michigan
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-01-2012 04:07 PM               

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Just a heads up to everyone that tonight is the last chance for Internet bidding before tomorrow mornings live auction.

There are some wonderful lots. Good luck to all.

Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 11-02-2012 06:12 PM               

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Somebody got a pretty good deal on a complete SE-6 and that LiOH scrubber assembly.

Was happy to score lot 40233

Posts: 45
From: Harrisburg, PA
Registered: Mar 2007

Posts: 93
From: Los Altos an SF, CA, United States
Registered: Sep 2011

Posts: 445
From: Santa Paula, Ca,. USA
Registered: Dec 2007

Posts: 587
From: Michigan
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

Posts: 1499
From: Germany
Registered: May 2000

posted 11-14-2012 02:48 PM               

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I was surprised that no one was bidding on it and thought that it might have been a software mistake...

Anyway a great proof that you can still make a steal in any of the space auctions!

Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999