posted 02-26-2016 07:03 PM            

One of the highlights include a 1960s Mercury 7 signed color photo (approx 11"x14") depicting the Mercury 7 group in flight gear standing in front of a U.S. Air Force jet bearing bold signatures of Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton all placed above their image.

posted 04-14-2016 12:51 PM               

As many know, Richard Stonely was an avid in-person collector who amassed a high volume of authentic material. That said, he also purchased and traded items from the secondary market. There are items from his collection that he certainly did not obtain in-person. While the vast majority of the items in his collection are fine, my concern is that some collectors may mistakenly assume everything from his collection was obtained in-person by Richard and is undoubtedly genuine.

While most of the items I browsed appear authentic in my opinion, there are some items that are questionable. I communicated with Richard a handful of times over the years, and it was clear that he cared about authenticity and would never want his name attached to an item that was questionable.

It's possible he knew some of these items were secretarial or questionable but never got around to labeling them as such or disposing of them.

• 44 - Grissom cover - Suspect
  
• 69 - White - Known forgery style
  
• 71 - Gemini IV - Known forgery style
  
• 74 - White - Suspect
  
• 100 - Collins - Known forgery style
  
• 116 - Chaffee cover – Suspect
  
• 128 - Apollo 8 - Known forgery style
  
• 147 - Apollo 10 - Suspect
  
• 148 - Apollo 10 - Known forgery style
  
• 149 - Apollo 10 - Suspect (Not Stonely)
  
• 150 - Apollo 10 - Suspect
  
• 153 - Apollo 11 secretarial signatures
  
• 199 - Apollo 14 - Known forgery style
  
• 201 - Shepard secretarial signature
  
• 202 - Apollo 14 presentation - all three signatures highly unusual. Secretary signed?

• Lots 388-392 Five Gagarin lots. All are the same mass produced and documented forgery style from a known Russian forger.

Of course this represents my opinion and I encourage anyone to seek the opinion of other experienced collectors and/or dealers if there is any question about an item.

posted 04-14-2016 01:39 PM               

But the overwhelming amount of material and lots are authentic and as represented and bidders will be able to bid confidently, if questioned lots are removed.

posted 04-16-2016 10:31 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by NAAmodel#240:
If flown did it remain with the balloon or would the aeronaut have carried it when he jumped?

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posted 05-06-2016 01:04 PM               

'Huge hunk' of NASA's fallen Skylab space station lands at auction

A massive chunk of the United States' first space station is about to land at auction.

Billed as the "largest existing piece of Skylab wreckage in private hands," Regency-Superior Auctioneers of St. Louis is offering the 300-pound (136-kilogram) artifact as part of its online space memorabilia sale scheduled for May 12.

The semi-circular relic has a minimum bid of $30,000 and is estimated to be worth between $45,000 and $55,000 — shipping from Utah not included.

posted 05-12-2016 04:24 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Indy500:
I'm looking to bid on lot 203 (1971 Apollo 14 Crew Signed Matte With Photo). Does that look legit? Thanks!

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So, it appears none of the questioned lots were pulled?

If I am reading this correctly, this Apollo 11 presentation with obvious secretarial signatures sold for $2,700? Is that with or without buyer's premium? (Lot 153)

posted 05-12-2016 05:45 PM               

Photocopy of humorous image of four astronauts bearing bold signatures of two astronauts depicted, Moonwalkers Neil Armstrong & Dave Scott. Armstrong adds 'To Jay Hawkins all the best.'

posted 05-12-2016 08:38 PM               

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Originally posted by Steve Zarelli:
Is that with or without buyer's premium? (Lot 153)

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I also want to take this moment to publicly thank you Steve for looking at lot 203 for me. It's your talent and graciousness that keeps us from wasting our hard earned dollars on fakes.

posted 05-15-2016 12:32 PM               

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Originally posted by Tallpaul:
I noticed that a number of the suspect lots sold for not inconsiderable sums.

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Besides the shameful sale of Lot 153 for over $3,000 with Apollo 11 secretarial signatures, Regency's expert also neglected to remove lot 202, the Apollo 14 crew signed litho with obvious fake signatures. Fortunately, the buyer only paid $174 for that and probably thought he got a steal.

We failed to list Lot 240 as bad, but no matter, as Regency's expert missed the two autopens (Conrad and Kerwin) on that Skylab 2 cover that sold for $390.

Regency-Superior has a long history of failing to remove suspect and autopen signatures from their auctions, and it's likely that at least some of Richard Stonely's suspect material that sold in this auction probably came from prior Regency-Superior auctions.

posted 05-19-2016 03:46 PM            

In response to some of the assumptions here – we did in fact, review each item that some of you questioned here on this message board. And, after reviewing, we withdrew three lots prior to the auction: Lots 44, 100 and 147.

Our senior lot describers have been working in the space auction industry since Superior’s first auction in the 1990s. And, though their expertise is highly regarded, we do NOT expertise or issue LOAs or COAs of our own material. We believe that it is a conflict of interest, it’s unethical, and we refuse to do it. We do vet the consignments as they come in, and can attest to the numerous fakes and just poor material that we must return to the owner – items the public never sees at auction.

With each of our auctions, successful bidders are welcome to place their winning lot on extension for certification with PSA/DNA. We will issue a full refund (including the cost of the cert) if the item receives a negative opinion. And, of course, if you don’t like it, don’t bid on it.

We check this message board frequently, but not every day. So, why not pick up the phone or email us directly with your concerns – particularly if there’s a question of authenticity? We truly appreciate it when a person can talk to us directly, and share their knowledge. Or, if you have any questions at all – like does the selling price posted include the buyer’s premium. We are available Monday through Saturday, 9am-5pm (Central Time).

posted 05-19-2016 06:35 PM               

The ones listed earlier by Steve were certainly suspect. There were other lot numbers too that looked suspect — including a couple Lovell autographs on crew signed covers. You make upwards of 40% off each item (buyer's premium and seller's fee) and it is expected by your buying public that you do your research on the items offered and if it really doesn't look right and poses any question at all, pull it. Lot 153, a good example of a no-brainer pull. How did that Armstrong get by even after a second review? Oh yeah — 40% adds up on that one. And mind you, this is just my opinion. I apologize if I offended. My passion runs high.

I love this hobby and grow tired of seeing this type of thing going on when such high fees are collected.

posted 05-20-2016 06:07 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Penney Kols:
With each of our auctions, successful bidders are welcome to place their winning lot on extension for certification with PSA/DNA.

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posted 05-20-2016 03:31 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by rgarner:
I think I speak for many when I say that there are only two opinions I care for when it comes to authentication and that is Ken Havekotte and Steve Zarelli.

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I must note that there are others who posted here for whom I have the utmost respect when it comes to their authentication prowess... Bob McLeod and Mark Janovec. Gerry Montague is another with a ton of experience and an eagle eye. I would take feedback from any of these gentlemen very seriously.

posted 05-20-2016 04:35 PM               

In my book, though, with a big thumbs up -- Bob and Mark certainly would qualify as long-term experienced and skilled space autograph authenticators. There is no question about that, I am sure, in anyone's mind.

As for myself, I do the best I can with my own separate opinions, but Steve is doing this full-time and keeps an excellent data base of astronaut signatures from a variety of sources, especially of Armstrong and Apollo 11 related.

There are others, of course, that Steve had indicated, but there is even a rather unknown space collector, known as Ross, that has my full respect and support as well.