Topic: [RR Auction] Space Exploration Sale (April 2016)
BLivingston Member
Posts: 60 From: Boston,Ma. USA Registered: Jan 2010
posted 12-29-2015 09:51 AM
Established in 1976 and with millions of dollars in sales of space memorabilia to its name, RR Auction holds specialty space-themed auctions twice annually, achieving countless record-setting prices for items of the finest quality, with astronaut-certified materials, flown artifacts, NASA hardware, and rare autographs highlighting every sale.
Utilizing in-house and third-party experts on staff to ensure the authenticity of every piece offered, RR Auction prides itself in being an industry leader and trusted source for an ever-increasing audience of collectors worldwide. RR is pleased to invite consignors new and old to join us for our next space and aviation auction, scheduled to take off in April 2016.
------------------ Bobby Livingston Executive Vice President
Jurvetson Member
Posts: 93 From: Los Altos an SF, CA, United States Registered: Sep 2011
posted 02-25-2016 03:28 PM
Love that IMU. It is prominently displayed at the entry to DFJspace.com
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-18-2016 06:12 PM
RR Auction's April 2016 Space And Aviation auction preview is now online.
One-of-a-kind Zeiss Tele-Tessar 500mm f/8 lens extensively used by Dave Scott on the lunar surface and in orbit during the Apollo 15 mission.
...the silver color was chosen for the camera and lens to maintain more uniform internal temperatures in the extreme heat of the lunar surface. The body of the lens bears several affixed Velcro tabs and the lens cap and rear are covered in duct tape, which is signed on the rear in felt tip, "D. R. Scott."
All together, there were 293 photographs taken during Apollo 15 using this lens. The lens has expected scuffs and wear from extensive use in space; the tape is believed to be from a roll flown on the mission and retains some lunar dust.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 03-19-2016 04:45 AM
Some terrific pieces; the Cernan EVA training boot my particular favourite but sadly... my pockets aren't deep enough.
Some punchy estimates too but if anybody can get them it is RR.
rgarner Member
Posts: 1193 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 03-19-2016 07:44 AM
This is one of the most amazing auctions I have ever seen, but the estimates are far too high on a lot of these if you ask me. I'll not be doing much bidding on this as a result.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 03-19-2016 08:54 AM
Richard, you should have seen the Aurora auctions of the late 80s and early 90s. Apollo boots, and gloves a plenty, spacecraft hardware and flown items that by comparison with todays prices went for a song!
rgarner Member
Posts: 1193 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 03-19-2016 09:19 AM
Haha the fact that I was born in 1987 doesn't help, I'm a late comer to the game I think, Rick.
Larry McGlynn Member
Posts: 1255 From: Boston, MA Registered: Jul 2003
posted 03-21-2016 06:21 PM
As for the 500mm lens, here is a video that was found of Dave using it on the lunar surface.
It's a short clip, but it shows the lens in use and eventually on the lunar surface. Nothing like photo documentation for an object.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 03-21-2016 06:56 PM
Some classic stills too, Larry.
413 is in Member
Posts: 628 From: Alexandria, VA USA Registered: May 2006
posted 03-22-2016 01:16 PM
Lot 6208: Is it just me or is the sky a bit too clear and blue in the signed Apollo 12 launch photo?
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2915 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 03-22-2016 02:30 PM
Agreed. Could be Apollo 13 from a couple of observations, but note the guy's jacket laid out near the center of the photo. I think there are Apollo cloth patches on it, mostly earlier Apollo mission emblem patches, but also what looks like to be Apollos 11 and 12.
Ben Member
Posts: 1896 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: May 2000
posted 03-22-2016 02:42 PM
From comparing other photos I found of Saturn V launches from the press site, and being a sunny mid-day launch, this is Apollo 16. The smoke configuration matches.
Jeff Member
Posts: 474 From: Fayetteville, NC, USA Registered: May 2009
posted 03-22-2016 03:01 PM
I actually found a different angle (72-HC-310) but the patch guy is there. It's a shot of the Apollo 16 launch. Bottom left corner is the patch guy along with a few others in bell bottoms that match up.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2915 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 03-22-2016 09:25 PM
Nice detective work Ben and Jeff in determining the launch photo of Apollo 16.
I think both 13 and 16 had been launched in the early afternoon hours with a clear sky and not too many clouds (with 10 as well).
Am now covering tonight's OA-6 launch of an Atlas V launch vehicle with the Cygnus cargo ship carrier to the ISS.
Rick Mulheirn Member
Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
posted 03-23-2016 06:56 AM
From memory, the Apollo 13 launch was in hazy sunshine. The lighting can be influenced of course by the angle of the camera relative to the sun but I don't think I've seen a launch shot as bright and clear for Apollo 13 as that on Apollo 16.
leslie Member
Posts: 231 From: Surrey, England Registered: Aug 2005
posted 03-23-2016 09:35 AM
Well, thanks for spotting that. Al Bean and I obviously did not however, I have requested the item be withdrawn and destroyed which is the proper course of action. Thanks again.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-23-2016 09:38 AM
I can understand perhaps withdrawing the lot or amending its description, but destroying it? That seems unnecessary.
Plenty of astronauts have autographed photos from other astronauts' launches and missions, knowingly and unknowingly.
Besides, someone could bid and buy this piece and add other signatures from other astronauts who flew on the Saturn V, thus changing the context of Bean's signature.
spaced out Member
Posts: 3110 From: Paris, France Registered: Aug 2003
posted 03-23-2016 11:04 AM
I have to add my voice to Robert's call for clemency in this case.
I'm not sure I'm willing to camp outside the Houses of Parliament to protest it but lot 6208 deserves a better fate than destruction.
cycleroadie Member
Posts: 452 From: Apalachin, NY USA Registered: May 2011
posted 03-23-2016 12:01 PM
What they said, do not shred it, it's still a good piece, the description just needs to be changed in the auction.
413 is in Member
Posts: 628 From: Alexandria, VA USA Registered: May 2006
posted 03-23-2016 01:13 PM
My 2 cents: Do not shred.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 2915 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 03-23-2016 01:50 PM
Agreed. No need to shred since many Apollo astronauts have signed Saturn V launch photos not of their own flights.
leslie Member
Posts: 231 From: Surrey, England Registered: Aug 2005
posted 03-24-2016 02:31 AM
OK! OK! OK!
Seriously guys, thanks for the comments but I did not want maybe a "newcomer" to buy something that was "misrepresentative." I will get the description changed.
Thanks again.
SpaceSteve Member
Posts: 428 From: San Antonio TX, USA Registered: Apr 2004
posted 03-24-2016 05:58 PM
Heck, the photo being discussed is no where near the strangest one out there.
I recall seeing a Gordon Cooper portrait photo that was signed by John Glenn!
Hart Sastrowardoyo Member
Posts: 3445 From: Toms River, NJ Registered: Aug 2000
posted 03-24-2016 07:16 PM
That Cooper photo signed by Glenn shows up on eBay, doesn't it? And I have an STS-71 landing photo as well as a not-Columbia shuttle lifting off signed by Charles Brady... it was the only ones I found on the secondary market.
There's a story that Trek author Margaret Wander Bonanno was approached by a fan with a Diane Duane book, saying, "It's all I have." Bonanno is said to have written, "Sorry, Diane, /s/ Margaret Wander Bonanno."
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-14-2016 03:37 PM
In addition to our own article today, the Wall Street Journal posted this video about RR Auction's sale of David Scott's Zeiss lens:
cctotti New Member
Posts: 1 From: Minden, NV Registered: Apr 2016
posted 04-18-2016 07:18 PM
Is there anything wrong with the Naval Aviation in Space print? $800 for a Neil Armstrong autograph seems a bit low.
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 04-19-2016 07:35 AM
The print is currently at $862, but the auction hasn't ended yet. You will note the estimate is $3,000 to $4,000.
mikeh Member
Posts: 147 From: Registered: Feb 2008
posted 04-20-2016 12:13 AM
There are definitely some terrific items in this auction that I would love to take home.
Please help me remember, its been a while since I've bid at RR and can't find anything on the website FAQs...
I seem to recall that an item can have a hidden reserve, correct? If so does the bidding system let you know if you've satisfied the reserve, and give you a chance to do so if you underbid? I have a vague memory of not finding out until after the auction ended if it was met or not.
Is that still the case or has that been fixed? Thanks,
DSeuss5490 Member
Posts: 299 From: Columbus, Ohio USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 04-20-2016 07:03 AM
You never know the reserve price or if it has been met, 22.5% buyers premium and they apparently don't accept credit cards for payment any longer.
mikeh Member
Posts: 147 From: Registered: Feb 2008
posted 04-20-2016 11:20 AM
Hmmm. That is too bad. I have a finite amount of funds. I need to know if I actually might have to pay for something as high bidder before bidding on additional items. Conversely, if I know the reserve is beyond my high bid then I would bid on other items.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4437 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-20-2016 12:05 PM
RR does offer an option for extended payment plans (for winning bids over 2.5K).
vamanboatin Member
Posts: 214 From: Vienna, VA Registered: Mar 2004
posted 04-21-2016 09:03 PM
Wow, the Gus Grissom cover final bid was $13,503.
neo1022 Member
Posts: 281 From: Santa Monica, CA Registered: Jun 2013
posted 04-21-2016 11:35 PM
How about the "Havekotte" Apollo 11 Kapton Lucite... $2426 ($2971.85 after fees)!? That appears to be a record hammer price for this item (perhaps for any "modern" production run lucite?). I think the previous prices were around $800 (which is still significant)...
I had my eyes on a few items that stayed low until the last few hours. I even bid on a few. But of course, pockets much deeper than mine were bidding as well. I never had a chance...
rgarner Member
Posts: 1193 From: Shepperton, United Kingdom Registered: Mar 2012
posted 04-22-2016 03:10 AM
Many lots in this auction were always destined to go over the odds, I remained out of it for the most part. But I'm dreading seeing the Apollo 15 Flown Map Plate cut up and sold off individually...
Tallpaul Member
Posts: 153 From: Rocky Point, NY, USA Registered: Feb 2012
posted 04-22-2016 09:30 AM
My laptop picked a hell of a time to die. It expired right around 7:00. I guess I saved a bundle. And agree with the above comment on the Grissom cover... $13,000+. Wow.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 04-22-2016 11:09 AM
RR Auction release
Camera lens used during Apollo 15 moon mission sold for $453,281 at auction
A camera lens extensively used by Dave Scott during the Apollo 15 mission sold for $453,281 according to Boston-based, RR Auction.
The Zeiss Tele-Tessar 500mm f/8 lens by Carl Zeiss AG, produced especially for the Hasselblad Electric Data Camera. The silver lens measures 12″ long and was used to take nearly 300 photos on the lunar surface and in orbit.
Special tabs were fitted to the rotational segments in the center of the lens, used to adjust focus and f-stop, for ease of use with the pressurized gloves of a spacesuit.
The lens was an integral part of the Hasselblad camera used throughout the four lunar surface missions, as well as two days in lunar orbit, said Scott in a letter that accompanies the sale. After the mission, Scott received the lens from NASA as a memento and it has been in his personal collection since that time.
"We are extremely pleased with the results and honored to have again been selected to offer such an historic item from Astronaut Dave Scott, a true American Hero," said Robert Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. "The lens is one of the largest pieces of space hardware used on the lunar surface to have ever be sold at auction."
Further highlights include, but are not limited to:
Saturn V Flight Control Computer, sold for $61,931.
Michael Collins's Flown Apollo 11 insurance cover, sold for $59,215.
Dave Scott's Apollo 15 Lunar Surface-used Rover map, sold for $53,509.
Neil Armstrong signed photograph taking his 'giant leap' for mankind, sold for $38,467.
Life-Sized Replica of the Mercury-Redstone Capsule, sold for $38,452.
Wilbur Wright signed letter defending his patent, sold for $13,316.
The Space and Aviation Auction from RR Auction began on April 14 and concluded on April 21.