posted 05-04-2022 05:04 AM               

Also, on the Skylab model the loose section is the back panel that needs to be reattached to the model and is not a separate piece.

posted 05-04-2022 09:00 AM               

Its lining up to be another outstanding space auction.

posted 05-04-2022 09:13 PM               

I also pointed out that on page 3 of the thread, about halfway down, Robert Pearlman posted a letter from Gene Cernan addressing the controversy and pointing out that he was encouraged by David Frohman to accept language in the COA that he was not comfortable with.

The cover, and the others out there like it, are nice crew signed covers but they are not "insurance covers." I personally would not want one of these covers in my collection because I think the manufactured provenance detracts from what were really nice anniversary covers.

posted 05-12-2022 10:05 AM               

From the Earth to the Moon to Heritage Auctions: Astronaut Michael Collins' Personal Collection Blasts Off June 2-3

Highlights include flags, medallions and more from 1969's historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission

In July 1969, 65 miles above the lunar surface, command module pilot Michael Collins orbited the moon alone, at times even losing contact with Mission Control. Meanwhile, below him, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were making headlines the world over for becoming the first men to walk on the moon – or, in Armstrong's famous words, taking "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

Collins never received the media attention his fellow Apollo 11 crewmembers did, but his role in the historic mission remains one of NASA's most important. Upon Collins' death last year at the age of 90, NASA released this statement: "Today the nation lost a true pioneer and lifelong advocate for exploration in astronaut Michael Collins. As pilot of the Apollo 11 command module – some called him 'the loneliest man in history' – while his colleagues walked on the Moon for the first time, he helped our nation achieve a defining milestone."

During Heritage Auctions' June 2-3 Space Exploration Signature Auction, a trove of sought-after relics from Collins' estate honoring that milestone moment will land on the auction block. In addition to artifacts that have been to the moon and back, the items consigned by Collins' daughters include relics from his 1966 Gemini 10 spaceflight, a mission that set a new altitude record for human flight.

"When these items came in, I could not believe how precious and rare they were," says Brad Palmer, Heritage Auctions Space Exploration Consignment Director. "I'm so honored that the Collins family trusted us with them, and I look forward to these going to a great collection."

One of the most exceptional items in the auction is an Apollo 11-flown American flag signed and certified by Collins, who kept the flag as a treasured souvenir of his role in the first manned lunar landing. At 17.75 inches by 11.5 inches, the incredibly rare silk flag is the largest size typically flown by Apollo missions. Written in black ink on the Collectibles Authentication Guaranty-certified flag: "Carried to the Moon on Apollo XI, July 1969- /Michael Collins CMP."

Previously, in a November 2021 Heritage auction, an Apollo 11-flown American flag directly from Armstrong's family sold for $275,000.

Also featured in the June auction is a vital piece of documentation from the Apollo 11 mission, a flown and used star chart by Collins. An extremely important artifact, the CAG-certified chart depicts dozens of stars and constellations and features numerous handwritten annotations by Collins, with the following written on the left border: "During the flight of/ APOLLO ELEVEN,/ I used this chart/ to help me locate stars. (The/ numbers were/ entered into/ the Command/ Module Computer/ Michael/ Collins/ CMP."

As Heritage's catalog notes, the star chart "exemplifies both the innovation of the first lunar landing as well as the fundamental technological aspects of the achievement."

Another item of note is an Apollo 11-flown MS67 NGC sterling silver Robbins medallion, one of 450 medals that made the 1969 lunar journey alongside Collins, Armstrong and Aldrin. The obverse features an incredibly distinct design: Collins' early and original concept for the mission insignia depicting an eagle carrying an olive branch in its mouth. NASA thought the sharp, open talons of the eagle appeared too "warlike" and later moved the peace-signifying olive branch to the eagle's claws.

The medallion is one of the only, if not the only, major official items that renders the insignia as Collins originally designed it.

Other highlights include an Apollo 11-flown, crew-signed "Type One" quarantine cover; a limited-edition Apollo 11 lunar plaque signed by Aldrin and Collins; and an Apollo 11-flown, crew-signed swatch of Beta cloth featuring the final version of the Collins-designed mission insignia.

Noted space historian Howard C. Weinberger, a longtime friend of Collins, was well acquainted with the items Collins kept from his time in the space program.

"Post-Apollo, Mike had become the Director of the National Air and Space Museum, where he had donated many of the artifacts he had retained," Weinberger says. "Although he was never desirous of selling what he had remaining, he let me know that one day he would and that he would certainly be asking for my assistance.

"He obviously paid attention during our talks," Weinberger continues. "I always drove the point home that certification of artifacts was a top priority. And, as one who has had the privilege of assisting and assembling some of the space program's greatest artifacts, I can say without question that the Michael Collins Collection is the finest certified group of space items ever brought to market."

posted 06-02-2022 10:28 AM               

But they sell well, because those who know about the controversy like to own one. There 300 of them out there that will eventually make their way to market. It's like an annuity for the former dealer, who threatened to sue Gene Cernan over his reputation of the whole affair here on collectSPACE.

posted 06-02-2022 01:46 PM               

It's not the first time that I have seen the exact same signed book beforehand as I recall evaluating it many years ago.

posted 06-03-2022 10:18 PM               

If the buyer sees this thread and requests a refund, how does that work? I'd feel bad for the person who consigned this item, made over $10,000, and then found out they're getting nothing. I'm curious how that all works out.

posted 06-03-2022 11:12 PM               

And I probably am being too paranoid about Heritage. I'm sure they have top people helping them out. In fact, after writing my previous post, I noticed that Gerry mentioned in this thread that he had caught several forgeries for them. So the fact that you and Gerry have both reviewed the listings, even if it was in an informal manner, is a great source of relief for me. You are both so reliable.

posted 06-04-2022 05:39 AM               

When I did spend more time evaluating space auction lots on a regular volunteer basis many years ago (i.e. RR, Superior, Goldberg, Odyssey, Aurora, etc.), it was a lot of work and at a time when very good forgeries were appearing on the market, specially with the Apollo 11 crew. Currently, though, I do assist with a few auction firms, dealerships, and foundations like the American Space Museum on a regular basis when I can.

posted 06-04-2022 08:36 AM               

When the book went live and I spotted the book selling I emailed Heritage. Rest assured Heritage will not permit this to sell as it was described.

That all said this shouldn't happen and I will have a call in to Heritage on how we can prevent this from happening in the future.

posted 06-04-2022 11:48 AM               

And sorry, Ken, I didn't mean to imply that you were their authenticator in an official position. I simply meant that in a general sense, space auctions of all types are improved by the experts on collectSpace, even if they're just glancing at the auctions as potential buyers.

posted 06-06-2022 09:30 PM               

Apollo 11 Astronaut Michael Collins' Collection Launches Heritage Space Exploration Auction Beyond $2.5 Million

Signed American Flag soars to $162,500 to lead event

The largest-sized American flag aboard the most important flight in the history of the U.S. Space program, owned and signed by the mission's command module pilot, soared to $162,500 to lead Heritage Auctions' Space Exploration Signature Auction to $2,591,768 June 2-3.

The result for the Apollo 11 Flown Largest Size American Flag Signed and Certified by Michael Collins Directly from His Personal Collection with Accompanying Signed Certificate, CAG Certified reached a new stratosphere, touching down at more than four times its pre-auction event to lead the nearly sold-out event, which drew 1,755 bidders in pursuit of more than 1,000 lots and generated sell-through rates of better than 99% by value and by lots sold.

The flag led the collection of Collins, who famously flew aboard Apollo 11, the first manned mission to reach the moon, with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Collins kept the flag as a treasured souvenir of the historic mission. At 17.75 inches by 11.5 inches, the incredibly rare silk flag is the largest size typically flown by Apollo missions. Written in black ink on the Collectibles Authentication Guaranty-certified flag: "Carried to the Moon on Apollo XI, July 1969- /Michael Collins CMP."

"Michael Collins is among the most important astronauts in the history of space travel, and the results of this auction surpassed our loftiest expectations," Heritage Auctions Space Exploration Consignment Director Brad Palmer said. "We knew the interest in the flag would be sky-high, because mission-flown flags of that size (17-3/4 by 11-1/2 inches) are in exceedingly high demand among serious space collectors. This is a fantastic flag, owned and signed by Michael Collins, and it ended up serving as an outstanding launching point for the entire auction."

From the same historic mission came an Apollo 11-Flown and Crew-Signed Beta Cloth Mission Insignia Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, CAG Certified that more than tripled its pre-auction estimate when it reached $137,500. In the center of the cloth is a circular insignia (diameter: 3-3/8 inches) that was designed by Collins, and shows an eagle carrying an olive branch to the moon with Earth in the distance over the eagle's right shoulder. After the mission, Collins wrote: "Carried to the moon aboard Apollo XI/ July 1969" and signed it, as did Armstrong and Aldrin. Made with fire-safe Fiberglass Beta yarns, Beta cloth was used in the space suits worn by the Apollo astronauts.

Three lots brought triple-figure results; the third was an Apollo 11-Flown and Used Star Chart with Handwritten Annotations, Signed and Certified, Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, CAG Certified, which ended at $125,000 – more than three times its pre-auction estimate. The chart is a vital piece of documentation from the Apollo 11 mission, depicting dozens of stars and constellations and features numerous handwritten annotations by Collins, with the following written on the left border: "During the flight of/ APOLLO ELEVEN,/ I used this chart/ to help me locate stars. (The/ numbers were/ entered into/ the Command/ Module Computer/ Michael/ Collins/ CMP."

The auction included 19 flags, including an Apollo 11-Flown American Flag Signed and Certified by Michael Collins Directly from His Personal Collection with Accompanying Signed Certificate, CAG Certified that reached $81,250 and a framed Apollo 11-Flown American Flag on a Crew-Signed Presentation Certificate that sold for $75,000.

Mission-flown Robbins medallions always hold significant appeal to collectors, and this sale was no exception. All told, the event included 23 assorted Robbins medallions, including an Apollo 11-Flown MS67 NGC Sterling Silver Robbins Medallion, Serial Number 300 that went for $52,500 and an Apollo 11-Flown MS66 NGC Sterling Silver Robbins Medallion, Serial Number 357 that closed at $36,250.

An Apollo 11-Flown Flight Plan Page 89B with Annotations Handwritten by Collins nearly quintupled its pre-auction estimate when it drew a winning bid of $47,500. Measuring 6-1/2 by 8 inches, the page is numbered 89B and comes from the Command Module Pilot Solo Book that was flown and used aboard Columbia. The heavily annotated page addresses LM Insertion and covers the time between 124:30 and 125:00. It has been signed in black ink along bottom: "Michael Collins/ CMP" and "A flown page from the Apollo XI/ Flight Plan/ Michael Collins CMP" on the verso, making it an extremely important relic from this historic flight. The lot Included a handwritten LOA from Collins stating he kept this page due to the stretch of time it covered when he was supposed to be "the loneliest human ever."

A dozen bids came in for an Apollo 11-Flown Pilot's Preference Kit (PPK), Signed and Certified by Collins before it found a new home at $40,000. The kit includes a Beta cloth bag with a sewn-on tag that reads "KIT PILOT'S PREFERENCE/ P/N SEB 12100018-202/ S/N 1071." Collins signed and annotated that same tag, as well as the notes. Written directly below the tag is: "Flown to the Moon/ Aboard Apollo XI." Accompanying the kit is a handwritten note on Collins' letterhead, vouching for the authenticity of the kit. Flown PPK's are scarce and among the most highly coveted of flown Space artifacts.

Other top lots included, but were not limited to:

An Apollo 11-Flown Crew-Signed "Type One" Quarantine Cover, Certified by Michael Collins: $37,500

An Apollo 8 Crew-Signed Official First Day Cover for the "Apollo 8" Stamp: $35,000

An Apollo 11-Flown Flight Plan Clipping With Test Postal Cancellation Signed Twice and Annotated by Michael Collins Cancelled in Flight on the Day of the Moon Landing: $32,500

An Apollo 11-Flown Heat Shield Plug in Lucite Display on Wooden Base: $32,500

Complete results can be found here.

posted 06-10-2022 10:54 PM               

Purchased an item from them at this most recent auction - corresponding with their staff to coordinate/arrange shipping has been challenging - very slow turn around time responding to inquiries (on the order of 24-48 hours per cycle).

posted 06-11-2022 10:00 PM               

Heritage charged me $160 for shipping costs, materials and handling.