posted 08-24-2009 08:06 PM               

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Originally posted by Spacefest:
I'll submit as an authority, these guys ARE working people who AREN'T multi-millionaires. They can make much more on the lecture circuit than autograph shows.

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posted 08-24-2009 11:14 PM               

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Originally posted by jimsz:
If they were not making a worthwhile profit they would not be in the business selling themselves.

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People don't often become involved in business, which is what they are doing, without earning a worthwhile return.

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posted 08-25-2009 11:59 AM               

Then assume that you'll pay $400 for hotel, $400 for air transportation, $200 for food and drink, and $500 for the ASF ticket. This totals $3200.

Now, if they did not charge to sign, you have to assume few of them if any would attend an autograph show, so you'd have to travel to them to get an autograph (book signings, talks, etc). I assumed that some signings would have more than one astronaut, so it might take 10 trips to get these autographs, but at no cost.

Then assume that it cost you $400 for transportaion on average (air and/or drive), $100 for food, $100 for hotel; this totals $600 per trip, times 10 trips equals $6000.

posted 08-25-2009 01:18 PM               

The key point about these shows is not so much the autographs, but the opportunity to meet and interact personally with the astronauts (for which there is no fee except the admission price). At SpaceFest I enjoyed long discussions with Hank Hartsfield and Charlie Walker about the shuttle, with Charlie Duke about his capcom and Apollo 16 experiences, at lunch with Dave Scott, and at dinner with Jim McDivitt. Priceless!

I did get some autographs, but it was the chance to see these men in an informal setting that was more meaningful.

(I just hope my wife's health will allow me to go to the ASF show.)

posted 08-25-2009 01:30 PM               

If you want to meet the astronauts - which is indeed priceless - then go to the show.

At my first Spacefest this year, I spent a lot of time (and money) standing in line and getting autographs. Those were nice, but the memories of the conversations with the astronauts are worth far more to me than the pieces of paper with their handwriting.

At ASF in November, I'll get a few autographs, but I'll spend most of the time "being in the moment" with these folks, rather than worrying about how much Buzz is charging.

posted 08-26-2009 06:46 AM               

But on the other hand, I can't help but notice that this discussion happens before and after every event. Be it Spacefest, Autographica, a UACC event, ASF, or other, there are dozens of generic comments about astronauts' signing fees like we've seen in the last couple of weeks.

Perhaps in the "Autographs" or "Advice and Opinions" forum there could be a topic thread "Astronauts' Signing Fees" in which such general discussion could take place. That way threads like this could remain dedicated to specific details about the event for which it is named. And anytime someone felt they had something new to add to the fees discussion, there would be a place for that.

If there is already a thread for that - and I seem to remember that there is - perhaps people could keep such general discussion of signing fees there.

Of course, there will be some comments about signing fees that are connected directly to ASF 2009. For example, I do hope (for others' sake; I loved last year's but can't go this year) that ASF is able to post a complete and accurate table of fees this time. (I know that depends on the astronauts giving them that information.) Last year I not only obtained and packed photos and models based on the posted fees; I also agreed to get things signed for three other cS members. I was disappointed to find all sorts of additional fees that could have been posted in the online table.

I know this sort of thing has been discussed a few months ago, but one can't be expected to just think, "Oh well" and smile happily when for months under "Crew Completion" there is the word "None" (as in, no additional fee) for an astronaut; and then when we get there we are told that yes, there will be a hefty additional fee for that. There were several examples of that sort of thing. I had to pay the extra and just hope that two cS members would send me the additional money for their items. (They did.) Again, I know that depends on what the astronauts tell ASF and then honor when the event actually starts. Hopefully all involved will realize how frustrating those last-minute changes are.

And now, in the interests of adding a comment about the event that is not related to signing fees, and in fact is pretty random... the hotel being used is again the Raddison. I know your schedules are going to be busy, but I hope you find yourself with some extra time one evening. A pleasant ten-minute walk (or one-minute drive) from the hotel is a raised wooden walkway a few hundred yards long and just a few feet from the water of the inlet. Supposedly there are manatees frequently visible there - in fact it's called "Manatee Park." I didn't see any manatees, but since it was November and I knew I'd be going hundreds of miles up north in a couple of days, I loved the warm evening sun over the water. Hopefully you'll get to stretch your legs and experience that at some point during your visit.

(Of course, the Atlantic Ocean is in the other direction, but that was a much harder walk. If you are an early riser like me, you might want to hop in your car and drive a few minutes to see the sunrise on the beach.)

posted 08-26-2009 09:18 AM               

We have again made this our family holiday with my wife and 5 year old. We will be in Orlando for a few days before heading to Cocoa Beach on the Thursday before the show.

After the ASF show we will be going on a 4 night cruise and heading back to Orlando for a few more nights after the cruise. Compared to the craziness of the Orlando Parks and 4 Nights locked board a ship with Mickey Mouse, the ASF show is (for me anyway) is a relative period of calm.

We enjoy the Cocoa Beach area. This is our third trip there in the last two years.

We learned a lesson last year about the actual autograph show, though. Our daughter and Astronaut shows do not always mix. On the days of the show we will go our seperate ways and meet at the hotel afterword.

posted 08-26-2009 02:26 PM               

As someone who's produced shows (before anyone else around here), co-produced shows, and attended shows, I will say the ASF does a wonderful job and I highly recommend if you are able, to attend. (But come to Spacefest also )

I will also say, knowing the astronauts as I do, whether they give the ASF a cut or not to a man they ALL support the ASF and do a lot for it year round. Many times at their own expense. I daresay Al Worden's work with the ASF, causes him nearly as much pride as his efforts on Apollo 15. He has related that to me numerous times.

The traditional rule on shows of these types, is for the guests to give up a small percentage to offset the fees of the producers expenses to bring them there, put them up etc. Some shows require the astronauts to pay their own expenses. In this case, the fees returned are minimal at best.

Not being familiar with the particular inner workings and what arrangements they may or may not have, I do not believe for a minute they do anything out of line. Even if the astronauts submitted 100% of their fee, it goes to their foundation and not anyones pockets.

If the astronauts do not return a penny, they assist the ASF simply by their appearance. Monies can be made in other areas and hopefully, will.

Interest into what each astronaut pays or does not pay to the ASF or what the particular arrangement is, truly is none of our business.

But I can say - trust me - they give and give and give to the ASF. One way or another.

posted 08-28-2009 11:13 AM               

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Originally posted by divemaster:
It never fails to amaze me how every year before an autograph show that a small group of people complain about fees while having no clue as to how these things work - and are also making HUGE assumptions about the hosts and the guests.

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My belief now, is as posted, it is nobody's business if they donate or not.

I have stated that in my opinion what is charged by some is ridiculously high, but they are free to charge what they want. They are businessmen now, nothing more and nothing less.

posted 08-31-2009 06:06 PM               

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Originally posted by bigcrash3:
By far, I had the most fun hanging out in the bar drinking beer after the banquet with Charlie Bolden, Charlie Duke, and Al Worden. Charlie Bolden stayed and talked until he lost his voice.

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posted 09-24-2009 03:14 PM               

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Originally posted by johnraiders:
Worden is $60, then $100 for completion, so does that mean $160 to complete or its $100 total?

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The general trend is that the "completion fee" includes both the base signature price and the extra charge for the completion. So $100 should be all that you'll pay.

posted 09-25-2009 02:27 PM               

Using a recent point of reference, the General's Astronaut Scholars 2009 Base Fee was $275 for the Basic Signature and the Crew Completions ranged from $350 to $500 (depending on the mission) and included the Base Rate.

posted 09-25-2009 03:43 PM               

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Originally posted by bruce:
I wonder why Gen. Stafford's Crew Completion fees ranges from $75-225?

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$275 base + $75 completion = $350
$275 base + $225 completion = $500

posted 09-28-2009 02:53 PM               

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Originally posted by bruce:
Using a recent point of reference, the General's Astronaut Scholars 2009 Base Fee was $275 for the Basic Signature and the Crew Completions ranged from $350 to $500 (depending on the mission) and included the Base Rate.

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posted 09-28-2009 03:42 PM               

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Originally posted by johnraiders:
Dave Scott $165!...Any idea if they'd sign their books for free?
...would I get it all done in first three hours on Saturday?

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Actually, Dave Scott's price has been $165 for many years now. Bean, Cernan, Mitchell and Worden have raised their base prices since last year.

Since this is an autograph show and not a booksigning I'd expect to have to pay to have a book signed.

You should be able to get many autographs within a three hour period. Aldrin and Bean always seem to have the longest lines with a wait time of about fifteen/twenty minutes. If you would rather not get mixed in with the initial morning rush you may want to consider waiting until the astronauts return from lunch. If you time it right you won't have to wait but just a few minutes at most.