Author
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Topic: Autographica 13, April 2009
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spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 10-26-2008 07:55 AM
Autographica 13 is confirmed as: Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, April 17-19, 2009. See you there! |
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 10-26-2008 08:12 AM
Count me in! |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 10-26-2008 08:56 AM
And me!  |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 10-26-2008 09:36 AM
Me as well! My only 'concern' for the next show is I heard Jason talking to a couple of blokes in the corridor, he seemed to be suggesting that it was getting harder and harder to get Astros over to the UK, taking into account the fees they charge against the revenue they bring in and the situation with the dollar against the pound. Admittedly I was eavesdropping so I could be misrepresenting him here but he seemed to be saying something like "Alan (Bean?) is a great guest but he won't necessarily guarantee 500 sales", whether that meant ticket sales or autograph sales I don't know. Like I said I was eavesdropping so I could be misrepresenting him here. Lets hope the situation is a little more healthy by the time they come to start booking guests for the show. |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 10-26-2008 09:42 AM
He was refering to the fact that he doubted that certain astros would put that many bums on seats. I guess he has never been to Pontefract then!It is also a case it seems that if they cant get a certain astro, then no one can. |
paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 10-26-2008 01:10 PM
I'm in too. If Autographica wasn't around then that would be our chances of meeting the astros shot for good. I just want the officials to smile and relax a bit more. After all we are just a bunch of space nerds doing no harm to anybody and out for a great day. Roll on April then eh? |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 10-26-2008 01:39 PM
I think part of the problem, in their defence, is that they are more used to dealing with a younger, slightly more hysterical crowd. I don't know if you've been to any of the other Showmasters events but at times they can resemble nothing less than a war zone! At an event last year when they had guests from Heroes along you wouldn't believe the stories that came out of some of the attendee pushing people over, snatching virtual tickets out of peoples hands, I even heard a story about someone getting knocked out of a wheel chair and nearly being trampled in the crush. I think the problem is because the people that crew the events aren't profesionals as such, they are unpaid volunteers, they sometimes transfer the heavy handed attitude they need to apply to other events, where it is sometimes necessary, to Autographica where it just isn't. I don't have anything to do with Showmasters by the way in case you are wondering, I'm just a punter like the rest of you! |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 10-29-2008 03:56 AM
Jason has just posted this on the Autographica forum: ...this last event was a little slower than the last event we have run and this must be down to all the issues people are having with the economy at this time we know its hard for everyone at this time, so we thank you all for coming to the event, we did lose some money running this event but we will be back next year with Ernest Borgnine and a good line up and guest to celebrate the 40 years of the Moon Landings At a guess I assume that means they are trying to get Buzz back. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-31-2008 02:01 PM
Charlie Duke would be a very popular choice and of course there is a good connection with the first Moon-landing. |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 10-31-2008 07:55 PM
Good point, Apollo 11 Capcom....Keep your fingers crossed you never know! |
machbusterman Member Posts: 1778 From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland Registered: May 2004
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posted 11-01-2008 11:53 AM
quote: Originally posted by Paul23: At a guess I assume that means they are trying to get Buzz back.
I'm not so sure he'd be a good draw.... At $350 base fee at the ASF show that would equate to £225 at todays exchange rate. How many would pay THAT MUCH for his signature at the show (regardless of it being the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 or not)? I reckon if he had a dozen customers he'd be lucky.
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lm5eagle Member Posts: 429 From: Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 11-01-2008 12:35 PM
quote: Originally posted by machbusterman: I reckon if he had a dozen customers he'd be lucky.
I agree 100% with the above. In the current financial climate I believe that the lower priced signers would go down extremely well. Therefore I return once again to a suggestion I have consistently made - COSMONAUTS.Charlie Duke had always been reasonably priced and is very well liked. Of course Buzz is at liberty to charge what he wants, but equally, the punters are at liberty to vote with their feet. |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-01-2008 08:22 PM
I agree about Buzz, I think the relativley low take up for Jim Lovell and Dave Scott compared with the queues for Vance brand and Jerry Carr (OK they weren't mamouth but they had a steady stream of people on Saturday) shows that people just aren't willing and/or able to pay out for the big money signings at the moment. I think even at 2007 prices Buzz might struggle to attract a huge crowd but when the price has doubled within an 18 month period I just don't see people paying it. |
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 11-02-2008 03:45 AM
It depends obviously on who attends. For the purposes of the discussion, were Mattingly, Schmitt and Anders to appear at the next Autographica (when hell freezes over) I am sure they would be kept busy even if their fees were on the high side...Regards, Rick |
robsouth Member Posts: 769 From: West Midlands, UK Registered: Jun 2005
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posted 11-02-2008 06:34 AM
I will certainly be at the Birmingham event. I wasn't very impressed with the location of the London Heathrow event. I can't imagine it getting many people passing by and coming in 'off the street' so to speak. If it was possible then a hotel on Broad Street in Birmingham would probably have more success and if they could have a similar star attraction such as Val Kilmer, like they did one year, then the general public would come into the event to see what was going on.Anyway I look forward to some big names attending the Birmingham event. |
gliderpilotuk Member Posts: 3398 From: London, UK Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-03-2008 03:45 AM
quote: Originally posted by Rick Mulheirn: For the purposes of the discussion, were Mattingly, Schmitt and Anders to appear at the next Autographica (when hell freezes over) I am sure they would be kept busy even if their fees were on the high side...
Maybe they'll do a signing when they join Neil for the trip you're working on, Rick! Count me in for another £100.Paul |
David Bryant Member Posts: 986 From: Norfolk UK Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-03-2008 12:52 PM
quote: Originally posted by lm5eagle: In the current financial climate I believe that the lower priced signers would go down extremely well. Therefore I return once again to a suggestion I have consistently made - COSMONAUTS.
I agree 100%!Young, Mattingly, Collins... It isn't going to happen! And even were it to do so, I doubt if the attendance (of people ready to pay £200+ per signature) would cover Dave & Jason's overheads! No: let's have Charlie, Rusty and: heck yes: Edgar back again with some cosmonauts! |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-03-2008 01:19 PM
Sounds like a good plan to me! |
paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 11-03-2008 02:24 PM
No... surely not Edgar "lets see how many times I can let someone down" Mitchell? |
David Bryant Member Posts: 986 From: Norfolk UK Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-04-2008 02:32 AM
No: this'd be Edgar 'I'm the only one prepared to discuss UFOs' Mitchell! Fourth time lucky! And the only survivor of his crew! |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-04-2008 04:29 AM
I hope they do book him, if he comes then it's fantastic, if he cancels then no one will be surprised. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-10-2008 12:46 PM
I think we can rule out Ed Mitchell, Gene Cernan and Charlie Duke from Autographica 13. All three are due to depart from Instanbul on Saturday 18th April on a cruise to Florida. (See "Sightings") |
David Bryant Member Posts: 986 From: Norfolk UK Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-10-2008 12:49 PM
quote: Originally posted by Blackarrow: I think we can rule out Ed Mitchell, Gene Cernan and Charlie Duke from Autographica 13.
Oh! I guess that means Bond girls and apes again... |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-10-2008 01:00 PM
Poo! After having my wish for Jim Lovell granted at the last show I suppose it was too much to get as lucky again! |
nasamad Member Posts: 2121 From: Essex, UK Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-10-2008 01:24 PM
Personally I'd like to see a return of Jack Lousma and Dick Gordon.Adam |
paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 11-10-2008 01:39 PM
It's time Walt Cunningham made a trip back to Autographica. |
Steve Procter Member Posts: 1031 From: Leeds, Yorkshire, UK Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 11-10-2008 01:53 PM
Why not move Autographica from Birmingham on to the Mediterranean cruise? 3 guests already...  |
Paul23 Member Posts: 836 From: South East, UK Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 11-10-2008 03:02 PM
Hmmm Brum or the Med? Tough choice! |
Scientia13 New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 11-18-2008 01:53 PM
Just seen Helen Sharman is the first confirmed astro guest for Autographica 13. |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 11-18-2008 04:28 PM
Yep, that's great news. I've met Helen on a few occasions, I also met her when she came to give a lecture to the Chemistry Society whilst I was doing my degree at the University of Sheffield where Helen also studied.Great guest, lovely lady I look forward to meeting her again. Andy
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spaceman Member Posts: 1104 From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 11-19-2008 03:26 PM
Great news regarding Helen Sharman...now we just need Rex to arrange cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev and a return visit for Anatoli Artsebarski for a Soyuz TM-12 Reunion.Nick Spaceman www.spaceboosters.co.uk
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lm5eagle Member Posts: 429 From: Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 11-20-2008 04:29 AM
A complete Soyuz flight reunion would be an amazing first for any autograph show on either side of the Pond! Give it serious thought please Showmasters. |
mmmoo Member Posts: 551 From: London, England Registered: May 2001
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posted 11-20-2008 08:35 AM
quote: Originally posted by Steve Procter: Why not move Autographica from Birmingham on to the Mediterranean cruise?
Good idea Steve, I noticed that prices for the cruise start at $16,995. But I wont settle for anything less than the Master Suite at $60,495.  Mike Constantine http://moonpans.com |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 11-20-2008 08:53 AM
Which Cruise line will they be on?I've been fortunate enough to lecture onboard the QE-2, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria for Cunard, and it was fantastic in that on the Queen Mary 2 trip to New York my fellow lecturer was Jeff Hoffman. Lovely guy and his wife is really nice too. |
Prospero Member Posts: 94 From: Manchester, UK Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 12-13-2008 09:48 AM
I've just read about Helen Sharman being there. This is great news, I've wanted to meet her for years! Now all I've got to do is get a job so I can afford to go. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3120 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-21-2009 05:38 PM
Buzz Aldrin and Al Worden....won't be coming. Both will be in Singapore between 9th-23rd April. Which means that any celebration of Apollo 11 depends on the organisers bringing Neil Armstrong and/or Michael Collins.... |
paulushumungus Member Posts: 466 From: Burton, Derbyshire, England Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 01-24-2009 01:48 PM
That'll be a no then... |
StarDome New Member Posts: From: Registered:
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posted 01-24-2009 01:55 PM
Maybe they will get some more Russians over this time? |
Dwight Member Posts: 576 From: Germany Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 01-25-2009 05:32 AM
What about the lesser known satellite state cosmonauts from East Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary etc? |
disglobes Member Posts: 594 From: Orting, WA Registered: May 2000
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posted 01-25-2009 05:47 AM
Or maybe some of the ESA astronauts like Tognini, Merbold, Guidoni, Nicollier Chretien, Baudry and others.Charles |