|
Author
|
Topic: [Goldberg] Space memorabilia auction (Nov 2014)
|
SClarkson
Member Posts: 23
From: Fairfield,
Registered: Sep 2012
|
posted 11-02-2014 04:03 PM
   
Goldberg's Fall Space Memorabilia Auction is scheduled for Nov 14 at 1:00 PM Pacific time. As always there are many unique items sure to draw interest. A few highlights include a very nice early Neil Armstrong autograph, a von Braun letter addressed to General Lemnitzer, Army Chief of Staff (interesting content), a large section of early heat shield likely from testing, an Apollo 17, 15th anniversary reunion crew signed poster, an STS-71 flown Gold Robins Medallion (1 of only 8 flown) and even several sections of a shuttle nose gear tire. There are many other items that are sure to be affordable. (A few of my personal favorites are the Skylab 4 flown Snoopy decal and the Flight Dynamic's Office's Personal handbooks and Cue Cards.) Be sure to register with Goldberg's so you are all set to bid. Bids can be submitted on line in advance of the sale or on the 14th when the auction is underway. Good luck all. |
Mercurypgm
Member Posts: 292
From: Houston, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 11-14-2014 06:37 PM
I just finished watching the auction and all I can say is I am amazed at what many items sold for... two, three, four times estimates and prices that have me muttering to myself. Yes, there were a few bargains to be had but they were few and far between...I am wondering what others might be thinking who watched the auction or will now look at the prices realized. WOW!!!! |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
|
posted 11-14-2014 07:31 PM
Yes, there were some items that went over estimates, but I felt the opposite as you overall. Prices (at least what I was focusing on) were pretty low. Goldberg didn't have a very good offering this cycle.Then again, it's all perception! |
Mercurypgm
Member Posts: 292
From: Houston, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 11-15-2014 01:41 AM
As one who is in his early 60's and vividly remembers the days of free autographs or at most a $5 or $10 fee in the early 90's I was laughing at prices like $400 for an Ed Gibson litho and cover, not including commission. Many recent collectors have become used to paying way over the top prices for items that I consider junk. I agree the material was average but the prices were far from average on many very average items. Who buys an Apollo 11 beta cloth with a Collins autopen? To me that is also junk as in my opinion it is "damaged goods." A gold flown STS-71 Robbins for $4400 plus commission? Ever since Michael Orienstein passed away one could find bargains at Goldberg but in my opinion this auction at least brought them back into being a "player." As you said it is all ones perspective but when one got his first space autograph in 1961 for postage and Apollo 11 crew items for postage or in person for free (as I live near the JSC) I guess it is indeed ones perspective. Sure one can sell elsewhere and I will, but as they say, "a fool and his money are soon parted." I saw lots of fools parting with money for items I consider almost worthless. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 11-15-2014 06:04 AM
One man's trash is another man's treasure. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 11-15-2014 06:18 AM
I've picked up several fine items at comparatively bargain prices in Goldberg auctions, going back several years. This time I made "high-bargain-level" bids on about a dozen items I thought were nice, and got well outbid on all of them. So good for Goldberg and the consignors (darn it!)I can certainly understand how auction results like this must be shocking to people who managed to get genuine astronaut autographs for free in the early days of the program. But most collectors never had that option, and today have to play with the hand they've been dealt. For example, paying hundreds of dollars for several Aldrin-signed photos would have been crazy for 40 of the last 50 years. Today, compared to his signing fee and what reputable dealers charge, it's a good deal. Also, many of the items that went for high prices just weren't widely available back then, or ever. For example, the Apollo 11 beta cloth patch is signed by the first two humans to walk on the moon. I doubt many people thought to ask Armstrong and Aldrin to sign such an interesting vintage item before Armstrong stopped signing autographs 20 years ago, so there aren't many of those out there. Obviously it would be better if it were genuinely signed by the full crew, but the Collins autopen wasn't a huge turn-off for me. And considering that these days plain index cards signed by just Armstrong have sold for about $1000, that beta cloth was perhaps a pretty good deal at about $1700. (I'll admit that at this particular time, I felt some relief at seeing that people are willing to bid so high, since I have a bunch of items in the RR auction ending next week!) |
Mercurypgm
Member Posts: 292
From: Houston, Tx
Registered: Aug 2002
|
posted 11-15-2014 10:50 AM
I spent this morning looking at the prices realized and after a night of pondering perhaps I spoke a bit to soon especially with the comment of 2, 3, 4 times estimates. I am not too proud to say that I may have focused on a few items which sold that made no sense to me. As an example, lot 363, which, if I am reading the description correctly, has 45 Aldrin pictures, but only ONE is signed. Check what it sold for. On the contrary, I was the lone bidder on lot 350, which was the Armstrong item. The item had some negatives, but I don't recall seeing an Armstrong inscription that included "NACA, Lewis, 1955" previously offered. I like unusual inscriptions. Personally I HATE autopens and believe they ruin any item. Some items did have damage like staple holes, scratches or folds yet they sold. Lastly, Aldrin can charge whatever he wants in person but when about 90 cards sell for about $2700, it puts the value of his signature in perspective. Then again, I do thank him for completing some Apollo 11 crew pics (for free!) at a Spaceweek Golf Event (South Shore Harbour near Deke's house) that I played in 20 years ago (my team finished second and I have a plaque). The one crew pic I like the best (signed by six) that he completed was a photo of the 20th anniversary celebration event at the JSC, which included Bush 41, Dan Quayle and Richard Truly. I suspect it is unique and to me much nicer than the standard WSS crew pic which are a dime a dozen, so to speak. LOL. To each his own, but I digress... Good luck to all in their future bidding. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 11-17-2014 05:59 AM
I bid on a number of items via eBay as we were travelling and away from a computer. I have no idea what happened to those bids. I do not see where I won or for that matter lost. It is not coming up like a typical eBay sale and I did not write down what amounts I bid on items so I have no idea what I was outbid by. There is one item I am sure I bid more on but it does not show that I won nor does it show what my bid was as is the case with the other items. I will avoid bidding via eBay in the future and at the auction house mark up of 25% that may be the best plan anyway. Yep, frustrated. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
|
posted 11-17-2014 07:59 AM
Fred, Goldberg's buyer's fee is 20%. Hate to say it, but it is one of the more reasonable percentages in this day and age. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 11-17-2014 10:33 AM
Thanks, I thought it said for the eBay auction it was 25%. Lately there have been additional fees for on line auction. I no longer can see any information on eBay but the catalog itself states " Third party premiums may be higher than our premium of 20%" this may have been so for eBay bidding. |
Greggy_D
Member Posts: 977
From: Michigan
Registered: Jul 2006
|
posted 11-17-2014 10:36 AM
Ahh, good to know. |
mf451
Member Posts: 61
From: NY, NY
Registered: Nov 2014
|
posted 11-17-2014 02:39 PM
Yes, I was thinking of bidding at this auction via eBay until I saw the 25% premium listed. Apparently, if you use a 3rd party bidding website, the premium is higher; if you use the Goldberg website, the premium stayed at 20%.I did live bidding by way of the Goldberg site and found it to be ok, at best. There was a bit of a lag and often times items would come and go too quick (which makes sense, because live auctions move very quickly on the floor). I think I saw an option to make left bids on the Goldberg site, so that might be an option in the future, if the eBay experience wasn't great. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
|
posted 11-18-2014 04:33 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Larry McGlynn:
One man's trash is another man's treasure.
I'll take your trash any time Larry!!  |
advertisement