posted 03-12-2020 07:45 PM               

The watch that cosmonaut Nikolai Budarin wore on no less than three extravehicular activities – commonly known as spacewalks – is coming up for auction on April 9 at RR Auction online.

A flown Speedmaster is already special, but a flown Speedmaster on the historic STS-71/TM-21 mission, when the American Space Shuttle docked with Russian space station Mir, is even more spectacular.

RR Auction puts the estimate at $50,000. But if we look at the results of last year's Sotheby's auction "Omega Speedmaster: To the Moon and Back | Celebrating 50 years since Apollo 11," it might seem that $50,000 for a watch with such provenance is a bargain.

posted 04-09-2020 12:39 PM               

Bidding is open in our April Space Exploration sale, with a special section honoring the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13!

More than 600 lots are available, highlighted by a complete slice of the NWA 5000 lunar meteorite, a flight-configured lunar overshoe used in training for Apollo 11, Buzz Aldrin's lunar communion PPK flown on Apollo 11, a Grumman-built Lunar Module Upper Docking Tunnel Hatch, and Gene Kranz's Apollo 13 MCC Badge.

posted 04-09-2020 03:54 PM               

Do I make myself happy by buying more memorabilia for my collection?

posted 04-09-2020 08:01 PM               

This to me looks like Shuttle-era packaging and labeling, not Skylab. At Steve Hankow's Farthest Reaches website offers an empty (unflown) can of Skylab butter cookies that would seem to be a more likely way that those food items were packaged for Skylab than the vacuum packed method.

posted 04-14-2020 11:53 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by mode1charlie:
I have a question regarding Item #8538 - Skylab Butter Cookies.

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posted 04-14-2020 06:46 PM               

If you have questions about any of them, ping me at Steve@Future.Ventures.

1. Mars Viking Orbiter RS-21 Rocket Engine
   
2. Apollo CSM Fuel Cell Serial Number 3
   
3. Apollo Lunar Module AC Power Inverter
   
4. Voyager Spacecraft RTG Model
   
5. Apollo 14 Docking Ring Flange
   
6. Apollo 9 Lunar Module Flown Stowage Strap
   
7. Apollo 9 Flown Scissors
   
8. Apollo 10 Flown Strap
   
9. Neil Armstrong EVA Spacesuit Boots X-Ray
   
10. Apollo 15 Lunar Surface Flown COAS Electrical Plug
    
11. Apollo 15 Lunar Surface EVA PLSS Cable
    
12. Charlie Duke's Apollo 16 Lunar Flown Toothbrush

posted 04-14-2020 10:36 PM               

Secondly, I can’t tell you how cool that old design, Grumman LEM hatch is. As an avid Grumman LM collector, that is the holy grail.

Don't get me wrong, I have some very nice pieces, but nothing like that. If I was ever blessed with an LEM/LM hatch, my collection days would be done. I would just sit back and feel the passion from 20+ years of doing so. I would definitely be content! What a great environment to write a book.

posted 04-16-2020 10:46 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Jurvetson:
This is about half of it

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posted 04-17-2020 09:53 AM               

What is usually said is to just "put in your max bid" and go to sleep, but if some people only have so much money and are bidding strategically, this isn't always possible.

posted 04-17-2020 10:25 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by GACspaceguy:
Obviously they did not understand the 30 minute rule.

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posted 04-17-2020 10:59 AM               

Gene Kranz's Apollo 13 Mission Control badge sold for $29,197 at auction

Apollo 13 50th Anniversary items among highlights of Space Exploration sale by RR Auction

Gene Kranz's Apollo 13 Mission Control badge sold for $29,197, according to Boston-based RR Auction.

Kranz's badge was among a special section that included dozens of related lots in the Space Exploration themed sale honoring the 50th anniversary of Apollo 13 from the near-disastrous mission.

After serving as a flight director for each of the Gemini missions, Kranz was selected as division chief for Flight Control in 1968, working in the same capacity for all odd-numbered Apollo missions, including both Apollo 11 and Apollo 13.

As the leader of the 'Tiger Team' of flight directors, Kranz showed incredible resilience and ingenuity when confronted with the task of bringing the crew of Apollo 13 safely back to Earth.

The green laminated badge NASA issued to "Eugene F. Kranz" for the Apollo 13 mission and stamped "AV." The lot is accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from Kranz, which includes a heartfelt message in part: "I entrust you to preserve this authentic piece of manned space program history and hope that you and others will enjoy it for years to come. It should serve as a constant reminder of not only our accomplishments during this period but of the personal sacrifice that allowed us to forge a path from the Earth to the Moon and beyond."

"Gene Kranz, with his crewcut and vest, is an unmistakable hero and was instrumental in bringing home Jim Lovell, Fred Haise, and Jack Swigart," said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. "The badge is a beautiful reminder of the critically important role Kranz and Mission Control played in the space program."

Highlights from the sale include, but are not limited by:

• A complete slice of the lunar meteorite Northwest Africa 5000 (NWA 5000) sold for $118,685.

• Rare Lunar Module Upper Docking Tunnel Hatch manufactured by Grumman sold for $90,747.

• Apollo Lunar Boot Overshoe, used in training for the Apollo 11 mission sold for $62,500.

• Richard Gordon's Apollo 12 flown rotational hand controller sold for $$56,246.

• Nikolai Budarin's Flown Omega Speedmaster watch sold for $46,812.

• Astronaut signed custom-made Fender Guitar sold for $36,785.

• Apollo 16 Flown Lunar Module Grumman identification plate sold for $32,463.

The Space & Aviation Auction from RR Auction began on April 9 and concluded on April 16.

posted 04-17-2020 01:06 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by SpaceAholic:
Pick your poison.

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posted 04-17-2020 01:57 PM               

The highest bid option really is a good way to go. You won’t lose by 50 cents at the last minute since the bid increments increase as the bidding goes higher.

I do understand the frustration for bidders who say, “If I don’t get this lot for X amount, then I will hold off and try to get that lot instead,” but overall the system seems to work well.

posted 04-17-2020 02:50 PM               

Thirty minutes could be 20 for most auctions for me, but when I'm bidding on 30+ items, it helps to have some time.

posted 04-18-2020 03:08 AM               

Now obviously it's worth a lot more than the $1,150 it originally sold for at Superior in 1995 but to me $110k seem like a very solid price. I have to wonder how much the owner really thinks it's worth today.

Many of the other unsold items were from Dave Scott. We tend to see the same Scott pieces (AS15 flown flags, surface flown mini flags, mini LRV001 plates) go unsold many times in these auctions, which can get a bit depressing.