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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Autograph & Memorabilia Show 2010
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capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 06-24-2010 07:50 AM
   
I have not yet attended any of these ASF events, although I was at the Sims/Hankow show in 2007.Do the tickets for the show itself tend to sell out, or can you get tickets at the last minute? I strongly suspect the dinner and the ASTP lunch will sell out early. Unfortunately, I won't know if I have to work until late October -- I made hotel reservations just in case. Sure hope I can make it! |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-24-2010 09:12 AM
My experience from the last two years is, they sold tickets at the door for the autograph show itself, but you will also require a ticket to the KSC vistors centre. If you can, I highly recommend Platinum package or Platinum plus. The Friday night cocktail party alone was well worth the cost. A great expereince. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-24-2010 03:37 PM
Though not yet reflected on the show's website, Gene Cernan has been added as a guest. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 06-30-2010 08:24 AM
Sam Durrance, STS-35, STS-67, has been added to the list. |
Mark Zimmer
Member Posts: 289
From:
Registered: Aug 2004
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posted 07-01-2010 10:53 AM
Definitely get the Platinum or Platinum Plus; everyone else is treated like 2nd class citizens. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 07-01-2010 04:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
At this point, there is probably a greater chance of STS-133 (Discovery) still being on the pad than there is STS-134 (Endeavour) standing ready.
So with 133 slipping to 11/1, there is a decent chance of this launching during ASF if there's any kind of delay. Alternatively I could just go down a few days earlier to catch the launch (if I can get my wife to sign off on it). |
ASF1984
Member Posts: 167
From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009
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posted 07-02-2010 10:56 AM
It's great to see all the old friends from last year signed up and pumped about this years ASF Autograph and Memorabilia Show! We have new astronauts coming on everyday - I am just as excited about the show as you guests are! |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 07-16-2010 05:35 PM
Dave Scott and Jon McBride have been added. |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-17-2010 07:50 AM
I bought the Platinum today as soon as I realized I could make the show. Does anyone have any advice or suggestion as to how can I "trade up" to Platinum Plus which is currently sold out? My favorite thing in the world is getting out to the historic old cape and a tour with Carpenter including Hangar S is a dream for me. Thanks in advance for any help. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-17-2010 08:30 PM
My best advise is to hope for a cancellation. Last year I was offered a Platinum Plus ticket at the last minute by the ASF from a cancellation. I had already left for Florida and did not check my emails in time to take them up on it. You could also call the ASF and see if you could be waist-listed for any cancellations. The staff at the ASF are excellent and very helpful. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 07-18-2010 09:13 PM
Buzz has been added! |
jamato99
Member Posts: 147
From: Leesburg, VA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 07-19-2010 08:04 AM
Get your wallets ready!  |
music_space
Member Posts: 1179
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 07-19-2010 01:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
My best advise is to hope for a cancellation.
I had my best ASF show that way. Indeed, the ASF people are very helpful. |
hlbjr
Member Posts: 475
From: Delray Beach Florida USA
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 07-22-2010 04:41 PM
The ASF people are so responsive they contacted me today and said they're offering a limited number of additional Platinum Plus tickets (one of which I snapped right up). That's good service. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-22-2010 07:19 PM
They offered me the Platinum Plus ticket as well but I am going to pass. I am leaving early on the Sunday and doubt I will get the good from a Platinum Plus Ticket. It was nice of them to offer. The ASF staff are really the best and most co-operative group of people to deal with. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-23-2010 03:52 PM
Anybody remember (with the exception of Hoot Gibson - $35 and Brand - $50) what shuttle astronauts were at last year's show and what they were charging? (Bonus if you can also answer that question for 2008.) Thanks. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1778
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted 07-23-2010 05:28 PM
In 2008 the fees were:Charlie Bolden, Fred Gregory, Tom Jones, Jon McBride, Mike Mullane & Bob Springer all were $20. Andy Allen $25, Hank Hartsfield $30, Jack Lousma $40, Paul Weitz $45 and Vance Brand $50. Hope this helps. |
contra
Member Posts: 318
From: Kiel, Germany
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 07-23-2010 06:29 PM
Buzz Aldrin Base Fee: $400. WOW |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 07-23-2010 07:09 PM
As Buzz numbers of his life count-down his autograph fee numbers go up. He is still a 100 bucks shy of John Young's. You've got a choice. I don't pay it. |
jamato99
Member Posts: 147
From: Leesburg, VA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 07-23-2010 09:16 PM
That's the problem - people keep paying it.The signing fee page also says "details at show table" for Buzz's additional inscription fee, crew completion fee and addtional other fees. That leaves the door wide open for him to change the price to whatever he thinks he can get each morning of the show like he did at Spacefest a few years ago. I know, I know... it's a free county, etc. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-23-2010 10:15 PM
For what it's worth, if Buzz charged $25 per signature, the line would be so ridiculously long that he would never be able to keep up.Those who really want to meet him and get his signature will pay. Those who don't can try to shake his hand if they want, and then buy a signed photo elsewhere. YMMV. |
jamato99
Member Posts: 147
From: Leesburg, VA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 07-23-2010 10:46 PM
I agree. I'm not so much disgusted at the amount he charges, it's the fact 100% of it goes right into his pocket. If he signed for charity, his fees would be a lot easier to tolerate.Free country, blah, blah, blah. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-23-2010 11:09 PM
If giving to charity is important, then an earnest suggestion: before leaving the next show, make a donation to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for the total amount of money you would have spent had the autograph fees been pledged to charity. |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 07-24-2010 10:24 AM
It should be noted that many of the astronauts who sign at the ASF event do give some or all of their proceeds to the ASF scholarship fund -- it's their individual decision. |
jamato99
Member Posts: 147
From: Leesburg, VA USA
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted 07-24-2010 10:50 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
If giving to charity is important, then an earnest suggestion: before leaving the next show, make a donation to the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation for the total amount of money you would have spent had the autograph fees been pledged to charity.
Robert - you're missing my point. Higher fees would be easier to tolerate if it was made clear that the person(s) charging them were donating at least a portion to charity. Plus, you'd get two things in return: 1) an autograph and 2) the satisfaction of knowing some of your money went to a good cause.We're all well aware that Buzz has a choice - he can choose to donate some, if not all, of his signing fees to charity or he can choose to keep it all for himself. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 07-24-2010 11:20 AM
Didn't we get into this discussion last year, as well?  I personally feel that Buzz's attitude and his, shall we say, eager acquisition of money, is the reason why a lot of people are put off by spending so much on his autograph. There are a few fees that are high up there as well but you don't hear nearly the same level of grousing or debate that you do when it comes to Buzz. That said, I'm sure he makes enough that he either doesn't give a damn or isn't even aware of this. I always thought "well, maybe someday" when it comes to obtaining a Buzz auto, but after reading "Magnificent Desolation" I came to the definite conclusion that I won't be patronizing Buzz's table at shows. The book helped me to, I think, understand him better and genuinely sympathize with him. However, "the business is Buzz" motto and subsequent attitudes struck me as crass and very off-putting. Buy, don't buy, to each his own. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-24-2010 11:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by jamato99:
Robert - you're missing my point.
AJ said it well -- "to each their own" but you're missing my point. If you want to feel good about giving to a charity, give to a charity. If you want to buy an autograph, buy an autograph. If your intention is the earlier though, you shouldn't need to get anything in return -- other than perhaps a sense of self-satisfaction. And if you're not already freely giving to charity yourself, you're not really in a position to suggest others should.But it's not really my place -- nor anyone's place -- to ask how much you are giving to charity, just as it isn't any of our business about others, astronauts included. Show guests shouldn't need to advertise what they are donating as that should be between them and the organization they are supporting. When you buy an autograph that's all you are doing, buying an autograph. If the astronaut decides to then donate some of their money to charity, it is their return to know that some money went to a good cause, not yours. |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 07-24-2010 12:05 PM
At the risk of upsetting the collectors who love Buzz and/or any astronaut, I think that paying $400, or even anything close to that for Buzz, is absolutely ridiculous. There are so many items that have already been signed by him that are available for much less that unless a collector has a VERY unique item that they want signed they are wasting their money. Yeah, I know all about the argument regarding meeting their 'hero' and all that, but frankly you can still 'meet' him without helping him make an exorbitant profit at your expense. And is spending 30 seconds posing with an astronaut really 'meeting' them? Or is having a conversation with them, either at a dinner or other location, the true definition of 'meeting'. Several astronauts have met collectors at the hotel bar after the signing sessions are over for the day and generously gave their time, sometimes hours, discussing their experiences and other topics with fellow space enthusiasts. That's the definition of 'meeting' an astronaut. Otherwise a collector can simply photoshop a picture of themselves next to their 'hero'. (I'm kidding... sort of!) By the way, I also understand the principle that every collector has the right to spend their money anyway they chose, but as P.T. Barnum once said (and probably said many times), a fool and his money are soon parted! Yes, he was part of the first moon landing crew, but there are other moonwalkers who accomplished more than Buzz and have enough respect for themselves that they won't appear on TV shows of questionable social and educational value who charge far less than Buzz. Those are the astronauts who should be considered 'heroes' and who should maintain the respect of collectors. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 07-24-2010 12:29 PM
Look at this way: if Aldrin didn't charge what he does, then what else would collectors have to discuss? I mean, there has to be a reason (as AJ pointed out) that we have the same discussion every year (if not multiple times a year) and no one seems to get tired of it... |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 07-24-2010 02:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Look at this way: if Aldrin didn't charge what he does, then what else would collectors have to discuss?
Indeed. I was considering starting a pool as to how soon this discussion would start after the fees were posted. I've weighed in on this in the past, but I'll not fan the fires of the debate. I've come to the conclusion that it is what it is, and I'm going to focus on the (many) positives of the event. Which include 'meeting' the astronauts for as long or as briefly as possible, and meeting many of you folks in person. The autographs for me are nice, but secondary. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 07-24-2010 06:31 PM
Most here are proud to be in the same ROOM as these people, much less talk to them, or shake hands, or have dinner with them.In future years, children may roll their eyes when you tell them that Gramps actually touched one back in the day. Pete Conrad was on the road to Buzzdom, too. Many have done Star Trek conventions, commercials, and other non-sequitur appearances. The only difference is, they KNOW what Buzz did. Most of the others sit there anonymously. In this economy, these people rarely can live on pensions alone. They sign autographs, write books, speak, paint, promote watches, cold tablets, credit cards, cars, beer, NASA, and yes, themselves. |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 07-25-2010 12:10 AM
Some people have no choice and must live solely on their pensions alone even in this ecomomy. |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 07-25-2010 04:57 AM
It seems like every year the thread for the ASF show gets hijacked by a handful of people discussing Buzz' fee. Robert, why not carve out a thread for those who obsess over this one tiny aspect and leave the rest of the thread for those who want to discuss the hundreds of other things related to this terrific event. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-25-2010 06:43 AM
I'll second that one! |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 07-25-2010 06:57 AM
Buzz fees are more than I will pay. But I find there is more to these autograph shows than just autographs.Last year I found him to be friendly, talkative and cooperative. He was willing to stop and chat and pose for photos throughout the weekend. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 07-25-2010 09:04 AM
I'm undecided, for a variety of reasons, as to whether or not I will attend ASF this year. I had a great time last year. The funny thing is that this year I don't want to go so much for autographs as I just want to see a few nice old guys, have a quick chat, etc. Shows like ASF and Spacefest (please, Kim, may we have another one?) are a GREAT opportunity to shake hands with and have a chat with some wonderful people. I think that's the best possible thing to take away from an event like this. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 07-26-2010 01:33 PM
I may be blowing the whistle here, but all venues I attended as an artist, and all autograph shows astronauts attend exact some sort of commission.A few years ago, ASF suggested 8% but got more from some. Sims and Hankow asked for a number of signed photos for their fee, and Spacefest charged 10% +3% for credit card charges. Some pay it from actual sales, and some tack it onto their price. 10% of Buzz' previous fee would make it $395. Just sayin.' |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 07-27-2010 02:16 AM
While it may be kind of fun to pick on Buzz (because he often makes it so darn easy to do so), we should remember that he's not the only Apollo-era astronaut to more-than-double (or triple) his signing fee in the last 3-4 years.As long as collectors continue to accommodate each price increase, they have nobody to blame but themselves. (Myself included.) |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 07-27-2010 07:48 AM
I wish we had some high prices to complain about for Autographica: so far we've only got Ed Mitchell and Bruce Melnick confirmed!  |
A.Pelago
Member Posts: 34
From: Canada
Registered: May 2005
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posted 07-27-2010 10:05 AM
I still rather have an astronaut charge a significant fee but still make themselves available at these shows, than never appear - or sign - at all. At least Buzz gives EVERYONE the opportunity to choose between getting an autograph, having a photo taken, a handshake, a chat or whatever. I'd love to have that opportunity with a bunch of others but they've either stopped appearing or never appeared at all. I'm not saying I'd pay $400 for a Buzz autograph but at least Buzz has given me the choice whether to do so or not. |
Topic Closed
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