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Author
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Topic: [Bonhams] Air and Space (September 2017)
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Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 09-01-2017 04:11 AM
   
The forthcoming Bonhams Air and Space Sale will be held Sept. 27, 2017 in New York. One or two very nice lots, particularly lot no. 74 Neil Armstrong's A7L IVA training glove. A stunning piece that appears to be considerably under valued, in my opinion. Possibly a "come and buy me" valuation, if it does not fetch north of $20K I'll be amazed. |
denali414
Member Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 09-01-2017 05:27 AM
Nice collection of STS Robbins medals in that auction. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-01-2017 05:30 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn:
Neil Armstrong's A7L IVA training glove
Bonhams' description of the glove is very generic, offering little detail as to its specific history. Rick, is more known about it? How many pairs of training gloves were issued to the Apollo 11 astronauts? Is this the companion to the left hand glove in the Smithsonian's collection, and if so, how did the two get separated? |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 09-01-2017 06:05 AM
I have to confess Robert, I don't know the history of the glove in question and it did occur to me that "the authorities" may take an interest in to its provenance. I have reached out to a buddy who is likely to know more.The serial numbers differ significantly, and they are for the same left hand (both have blue anodized wrist connects) so would not be a matched pair. But if it's sale is legitimized, anything associated with Neil will attract a premium. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-01-2017 01:25 PM
It is not just a question of title, but of use. There is at least one example of an Armstrong-associated spacesuit artifact that was sold at auction and later was learned to have never been used by Armstrong, despite the ILC Dover label. Though a glove sized for Armstrong is desirable, it would be more sought after if there was provenance attesting to its use. |
Geo3310
New Member Posts: 3
From: GA
Registered: Mar 2017
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posted 09-04-2017 01:07 AM
Should be a very interesting auction... SOLRAD GREB Spy Satellite. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 09-05-2017 06:12 PM
I requested information on whether or not the glove was actually used during training as per the description, this was the response from Bonhams: We were purposefully vague in our description as we have no proof that the glove was worn by Armstrong, but it was specifically made for him and it is unlikely that it would have been worn by anyone else. The glove was purchased as a surplus item by our consignor many years ago. I advised them to change the description because the current description isn't vague at all, it clearly states that the glove would have been used by Armstrong during training, something which they cannot prove. My gut tells me that it was probably not used by Armstrong given that it was purchased as surplus. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 09-06-2017 02:55 AM
It is highly likely that the glove in question was worn by somebody else: several people over its useful life. But I'd imagine the glove would at least have been worn by Armstrong as part of a suit fit check. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 09-06-2017 04:59 AM
Would Armstrong (and other astronauts) be required to have a fit check for every spacesuit glove? One would have assumed that they would have measured him up for the first one and simply use that as a master model? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-06-2017 06:21 AM
From what type of surplus sale did the glove emerge? If it was a federal surplus sale, then it was turned over by ILC Dover as a completed glove and then more likely to have been worn by Armstrong. If it was an ILC Dover surplus sale (e.g. their lawn sale), then the chances of use are less. For example, perhaps the glove had a defect in manufacture and just ended up being used as a test or demonstration sample? The idea of NASA releasing a glove clearly marked as Armstrong's through a federal surplus sale at any point over the past half century seems questionable. Maybe it happened, but it would then be an interesting story as to how and why. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 09-06-2017 08:42 AM
I have seen enough evidence over the years to suggest that "old timers" (retired ILC workers) on occasion retained "surplus," test or scrapped articles from the Apollo era, some even with cross sections cut out, as souvenirs.If I were a betting man, this is one such souvenir. I leave the question of the legality of such to those better placed than me to answer. And there has been at least one, almost legendary company garage sale circa 1974 when they sold off masses of scrapped or reject kit from pairs of black, dipped latex gloves to A7L TMG layers. Anecdotal evidence suggests some Apollo TMG layers were sent to landfill. |
neo1022
Member Posts: 281
From: Santa Monica, CA
Registered: Jun 2013
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posted 09-08-2017 03:41 PM
Here's an old newspaper clipping that covers the epic ILC "garage sale" the previous post refers to. |
David Carey
Member Posts: 782
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-08-2017 10:57 PM
Great article — thank you for posting. I'd pay double some of the prices mentioned!  |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 09-12-2017 06:37 AM
Does anyone have the Odyssey 1994 catalog? I'd like to know how lot 232 was described.UPDATE: Details provided thanks. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-27-2017 12:56 PM
collectSPACE Sputnik replica sells for $850K sixty years after launch of original satelliteA full-scale, vintage test model of the world's first artificial satellite sold for more than three-quarters of a million dollars on Wednesday (Sept. 27), one week before the 60th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik-1 and the start of the Space Age. Bonhams auctioned the "beeping" replica of the now-iconic satellite, with its polished metal sphere and four protruding antennas, for $847,500 (including the premium charged to the buyer) at its New York gallery. The winning bid, placed by an unidentified buyer on the telephone, far surpassed the pre-auction estimate and the amount paid for a similar Sputnik replica sold by Bonhams for $269,000 in 2016.  |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 09-27-2017 02:05 PM
I have noticed they skipped over a few pieces (not labelled as withdrawn)... odd. |
denali414
Member Posts: 593
From: Raleigh, NC
Registered: Aug 2017
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posted 09-27-2017 03:00 PM
Interesting that all the sets of Robbins medals (five in each set) sold for the same $3,125 price or $625 each. Not a bad price for shuttle unflown medals. |
Jurvetson
Member Posts: 93
From: Los Altos an SF, CA, United States
Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 09-27-2017 03:37 PM
Wow, $847K for the Sputnik. I was happy to pick up the Armstrong-labeled glove and big Kholod engine. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-27-2017 04:24 PM
Congrats on both, Steve! If you're inclined, please let us know if you learn any more about the history of the glove after receiving it. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 09-27-2017 05:15 PM
Congratulations Steve on acquiring the Armstrong glove: for me the highlight of the auction.I too would welcome any further insight to its provenance. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 09-27-2017 07:19 PM
What was the final auction total? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-27-2017 07:46 PM
Per Bonhams: The Air and Space Sale achieved US$1,221,888. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 09-27-2017 08:31 PM
Thanks. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 09-28-2017 11:35 AM
I acquired what I wanted, so I'm a happy camper. Some great pieces in there.Nicely done with the glove and engine, Steve. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 09-28-2017 12:43 PM
I was surprised how low the prices were for some nice items. I usually don't bother bidding in or following Bonhams or Christies auctions in real time because the prices are just so far above anything I would pay but I may need to start paying attention next time. |
Geo3310
New Member Posts: 3
From: GA
Registered: Mar 2017
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posted 09-28-2017 03:34 PM
If anyone would like additional info on lot 69 — SOLRAD "Dummy" please let me know. I did quite a bit of research prior to parting with it. Congratulations to the winning bidder! |
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