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Author
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Topic: [US Marshals Service] March 2014 space auction
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-14-2014 05:36 AM
   
Gaston & Sheehan Auctioneers is hosting a U.S. Marshals Service online space memorabilia auction: Featuring flown space collectibles, autographed memorabilia, Apollo film and more! Auction opens for bidding March 18 and closes April 1, 2014.  |
chet
Member Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-14-2014 12:38 PM
One of the more scattershot auctions I've seen: prices all over the place, and inaccurate, incorrect and incomplete descriptions. Good luck to any takers. |
Steve Zarelli
Member Posts: 731
From: Upstate New York, USA
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 03-14-2014 01:27 PM
The last U.S. Marshals auction I saw was for memorabilia confiscated from the convicted former congressman, Jesse Jackson Jr. (It was full of entertainment fakes, by the way.)So was this material confiscated from someone? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-14-2014 01:37 PM
Based on the items being auctioned (including a number of Cosmosphere-related pieces), these may be from Max Ary's personal collection (as opposed to the recovered items that belonged to NASA or the Cosmosphere, which were returned to the space agency and museum). |
jonspace
Member Posts: 169
From:
Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 03-14-2014 02:55 PM
Why are the beta cloth patches so expensive? Notably the NASA logo and the US Flag. |
chet
Member Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 03-14-2014 03:14 PM
I think whoever put this auction together has no idea about realistic values for these items and was figuratively throwing darts at a dartboard to determine prices. |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 03-14-2014 05:06 PM
Seems that way. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-17-2014 12:13 PM
The auction is indeed comprised of the items May Ary was required to forfeit to the government during his case. They were not related to the trial, but were part of the forfeiture that the government required.About a year ago, Max was asked to provide the background details for each of the items, but it seems that Gaston & Sheehan decided to use its own lot descriptions. To assist bidders, here is Max's original descriptions (PDF). As noted in the document, Max is willing to provide a COA for some of the items to verify their background and history, and he says he should be able to get a couple of the astronauts who personally gave some of the items to him to also write up a COA. (I can help put readers in touch with Max if requested.) |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-17-2014 12:52 PM
It's almost a shame how unrealistically high the "Current Bid" (which I assume is the opening bid they require) is on many items. They would be nice additions to collections, but I can't imagine they will get bid on at those starts.The very first three lots show how strange those current bids are. Lot 1 is an Apollo XVII beta cloth signed by the crew, for $1275. Lot 2 is an Apollo X beta cloth signed by that crew, arguably just as rare/expensive, for $275. And then lot 3 is an Apollo XII beta cloth signed by Gordon... for $850! |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 03-17-2014 01:22 PM
I have to agree, a swing and a miss with most of the prices on there. I don't think I will be partaking in this auction. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-17-2014 01:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stsmithva:
The very first three lots show how strange those current bids are.
Per Max's descriptions, of the three beta cloths that open the auction, lots 1 and 2 were also flown on their respective missions. |
pharoid
Member Posts: 109
From:
Registered: Jul 2010
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posted 04-10-2014 08:03 AM
Just wondering if lot 25, the flown Apollo 10 Heat Shield Segment in Acrylic Pyramid was sold in the recent Gaston & Sheehan auction on behalf of the U.S. Marshals Service and if so, what was the highest bid?Many thanks. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-10-2014 08:31 AM
The prices realized can be found here. Lot 25 went unsold for $680 with no bids. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-30-2014 01:32 PM
Gaston and Sheehan Auctioneers is now auctioning the unsold lots from the earlier U.S. Marshals Service auction. The sale closes on Aug. 7. |
chet
Member Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 07-30-2014 04:38 PM
Looks like some of these may go unsold again (unless they manage to get some seriously uninformed bidders involved on some of the lots). |
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