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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's Autograph & Memorabilia Show 2011
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Dave Clow
Member Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 08-11-2011 11:48 AM
   
Aren't the Cunninghams going to be at this one?
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capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-12-2011 04:32 PM
I just noticed that the Platinum Plus tickets for the ASF show are now sold out. I'm surprised it took as long as it did. |
ASF1984
Member Posts: 167
From: Titusville, Florida USA
Registered: Sep 2009
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posted 08-18-2011 11:41 AM
Unfortunately, the Cunninghams had a prior engagement and will not be able to join us this year. |
walkerj6
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posted 08-18-2011 01:11 PM
So I am considering going to this years event. I have never been to any space signing events or anything close to this. I am a huge fan of the Apollo program. (I am a 90's kid and got interested from the Apollo 13 movie). I was really mainly interested in the dinner and reception event so I could get the photo with Aldrin and Lovell. Does anyone have any simple advise/info for me? |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 08-18-2011 01:52 PM
HAVE FUN! If you're going to take anything to be signed, be aware that trying to get the autograph of all the Apollo astros in the room can cost you close to $2000. Budget accordingly, or just go after getting one or two signatures on something special or meaningful to you. In the morning, when crowds are heaviest, it may be hard to spend much time talking to any of the astronauts, and they will be less likely to talk with you unless you're having something signed. In the afternoon, there are fewer lines and more opportunities to have conversations with the astronauts. The Shuttle astronauts rarely have many people waiting in line for them. Some of them will talk your ear off if you give them an opening! As far as the photo with Aldrin and Lovell, be sure to check with ASF as to what you need to do to sign up for it. If you got the Platinum Plus package, the photo is included. You can get it back the next day and have both men sign it, but they are the most expensive signatures in the room. Depending on whether they charge completion fees or not, it will cost at least $625 (probably more) to get those two men to sign your photo. You'll have to decide whether it's worth it to add those two signatures, or if the photo alone says enough! |
walkerj6
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posted 08-18-2011 06:16 PM
I have another question... are you allowed to take pictures at these events? And what are some "no no's" that I would need to know to not make people mad... I don't want to be rude. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-18-2011 09:10 PM
I have been to the three previous ASF shows and it has always been my experience that the astronauts never seem to mind their photo being taken. However I always ask first to make sure it is alright before I snap. Just in case. I can honestly say from previous experience, I have never see a greater group of people in one room, at one time and I do not just mean the astronauts, but also the people that organize the event and the enthusiasts and collectors that attend. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 08-18-2011 09:14 PM
Regarding taking pictures, especially of some of the older Apollo astronauts: Some of them are 80+ years old and it's a little tough for them to get up and down all the time. If possible, see if you can go around behind the table with them and hunker down next to them so that they don't have to stand up. |
walkerj6
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posted 08-19-2011 11:35 AM
Ok thanks for the great info so far. A couple more things.I want to get the most out of my trip for the least money as possible - I'm not cheap, but I'm not wealthy.  I was previously thinking of just getting tickets to the dinner and photo op. But if I am able to get photos with some astronauts at the autograph show, then would I be okay just to get the Gold Package and skip the photo op and attempt to get photos at the event? I'm not trying to be difficult, I just have never gone to anything like this and want to get as much info as possible so I can plan my trip accordingly! |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 08-19-2011 03:45 PM
You're asking the right questions. There will be photos for sale at the event. I always plan exactly what I want signed, for cost reasons but also to make sure I get what I want. It's easy to be distracted once you get up to meet your favorite astronaut and forget how you want your item signed. Been there done that. The Friday evening cocktail party is usually the highlight for me. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-19-2011 04:02 PM
I'll tell you what I did before Spacefest, but I didn't figure this out until after I had already spent a fair chunk of change buying photos from some of the commercial sites that sell Apollo mission photos. I remembered that all of those photos are in the public domain and that you can download them yourself from NASA websites and get prints made of virtually any size and any type of format you want from some place like Wolf Camera, and you'll save money doing so. I got two really amazing metallic prints, 16x20, of my favorite Apollo 11 shot of Buzz Aldrin, and another of Dave Scott at Hadley Rille, and brought them with me. The images on those metallic prints just pop! And the black and white ones look especially good. If you want to save some money, there's one way. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 08-19-2011 04:29 PM
Another piece of advice regarding the distraction: I always, always think about what I'd like the astronaut to write and then put those words in legible, large print on a yellow sticky note attached to the photo or item. That way, the astronaut can copy what you want him/her to say. Sometimes they'll make helpful suggestions to correct something or add a better word for emphasis or clarity. For example, I wanted Alan Bean to write "First precision landing on the Moon" on one item. He said, "We usually called it the first 'pinpoint' landing. Do you want to have that instead?" Of course, I was happy to have his suggestion. Try to remember to take a photo of the astronaut signing your item. That's an easy step to forget in the excitement of the moment. Try also to get a photo with them holding up the item after signing it, too. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-19-2011 06:04 PM
Please, by all means, continue to share advice — this is great discussion. I only interrupt to note that Rick Hauck (STS-7, STS-51A, STS-26) has been added to the line-up. Together with Eileen Collins who was announced earlier, it means the commanders of both space shuttle "Return to Flight" missions will be at the show... |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-19-2011 07:38 PM
One of the best things the ASF added last year was adding a large table that allowed people to spread out there items out from time to time. I took advantage of it because, no matter how organized you may be, between getting signatures, taking care of items, unfolding cash or taking care of credit cards, signing slips, while trying to take photos, and chat with the astroanuts and guests, even the best laid plans can become un-glued. |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 08-19-2011 10:20 PM
First and last, relax and have fun. It can seem hectic at times, like beginning of day, then things slow down. Don't sweat it if you see a line. Come back later on, line will be small, or no line at all. I like to plan on what I will get signed, and try to be a bit original. As someone else monetioned, some have photos made from the NASA archives and some of these blew me away. I saw some photos that I had never seen and are as good as all the iconic photos. If you don't have photos, the vendors have some amazing stuff. If you have a specific request for personalization, I can not stress enough actually writing it out, perhaps on a Post-It. The astronauts are human, and sometimes sign by reflex, so if you want something in a specific location, or a quote added, or name only, write it out for them, I've drawn a diagram for some. Last year I basically only got Gemini/Apollo signers, to my regret. This year I found a nice Air and Space poster of a shuttle liftoff and will have all astros who flew the shuttle sign it. I also did the thing where I ask the astronaut to hold up the item they signed for a quick snap. Every one of them was happy to do so. Attend lectures. Another thing I didn't do enough of last year. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-20-2011 06:33 PM
A little bit more on doing a bit of research on the NASA photo archive sites. There are a lot of photos out there from each mission so you do have to spend a bit of time browsing through and looking at a lot of shots that were taken more for scientific value than for aesthetic reasons. But man, there are some good ones in there that you probably haven't seen before. I have found, since Spacefest, several great ones of Gene Cernan on the moon that I wasn't even familiar with. Next time I go to a show, I will bring at least one of these. The ones that most of the space photo commercial businesses sell are the ones that are the best known, and there's nothing wrong with them. But it's nice when you can find a photo that really speaks to you. And you can download it at high resolution, too. So you get a photo that maybe not many people are going to get signed, and you can get it printed at a good price. When you bring it to the astronaut to get it signed, he might just be surprised to see a somewhat obscure photo that he hasn't thought about in a while. You might get a little more conversation out of him as a result. Dave Scott was pretty impressed at what that large metallic print of him at Hadley Rille looked like. It's not an obscure shot, but I don't think he'd seen it like THAT. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 08-22-2011 12:55 PM
If you have your own photo printed, try to get a true photographic print made, not an ink-jet print. Some ink-jet prints tend to scuff easily, especially in the black areas, and some pens do not stick well to ink-jet prints. Also, post-it notes can sometimes leave a sticky residue on ink-jets that can't be cleaned off without damaging the print, but this won't happen with photographic prints. Some discount club stores only offer ink-jets, but they don't realize it's not a true photo print, so going to a photo lab is probably a better bet. |
jiffyq58
Member Posts: 218
From: Durham, NC, USA
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-22-2011 03:20 PM
Oh, I agree. If you are going to download your own pics, absolutely take the photo files (or send them electronically) so someone who does a good job with photo prints. I used Wolf Camera/Ritz Pix, and they offer either the metallic prints or the deep matte finish, either of which look great. But there are lots of other companies to choose from. Just look around on the web, and compare prices. You might check and see if any of your friends have done business with any of them and make sure they liked what they got. I think Wolf Camera did a fantastic job with the four space-oriented prints I've had them do.Good luck! |
Skyguy48
Member Posts: 142
From: Scotland
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-22-2011 05:57 PM
quote:
Originally posted by capoetc:
I just noticed that the Platinum Plus tickets for the ASF show are now sold out. I'm surprised it took as long as it did.
Yes, am surprised it took so long to sell the Platinum plus tickets too... and was starting to wonder if they were thinking about flooding the place with Platinum plus ticket holders to raise more cash, but if they did that then it would defeat the purpose of having the big ticket to start with. Hope am wrong!! |
Linda K
Member Posts: 62
From: Greensboro, NC 27455
Registered: Aug 2008
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posted 08-23-2011 06:49 AM
It's starting to look like I may not make it to this year's show. If anyone knows of someone looking for a platinum plus ticket, please let me know. I've already let Nicole at ASF know, so if someone wants to buy my ticket, I can have ASF change my ticket into the new name as soon as I receive payment from the buyer. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-25-2011 08:19 AM
I know its early but can anyone confirm how much it would cost to have Lovell sign "Houston we've had a problem" and Apollo 13 CDR on an item? I know at the last signing it was $5 a word and $175 for the sig. Not sure if its extra for the mission designation. Just wondering. Thanks. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 08-25-2011 11:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ASF1984:
Unfortunately, the Cunninghams had a prior engagement and will not be able to join us this year.
In that case, someone might want to remove Walt's photo from the lectures page. The text doesn't say he'll be there, but having his photo up is a bit misleading. |
Nigel Mc
Member Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 08-25-2011 07:29 PM
Just seen the great news that Dave Scott has been announced - excellent. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-26-2011 09:16 AM
Okay, since Dave Scott has been announced that makes me ask another question. How much would it cost to have him sign "7th Man on Moon" and "Apollo 15 CDR" on a 3D item? I don't believe they had his extra words cost posted for Spacefest. Thanks. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-26-2011 10:04 AM
I can tell you from my experience last year anyway that Dave Scott was not charging extra for 3D items. However, the fellow behind me had a baseball and he said he would not sign baseballs. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-26-2011 10:27 AM
quote:
Originally posted by alanh_7:
However, the fellow behind me had a baseball and he said he would not sign baseballs.
I have seen the same at Spacefest 2007. His comment was "this has nothing to do with the program." |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-26-2011 11:41 AM
Thanks for the info. Do you know how much extra it would cost to have him add "7th Man on Moon" to an item? I'm pretty sure the mission designation came with the price of the signature but I may be off on that.I can understand the baseball policy though I have seen ones signed by him — probably at an extreme premium. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1252
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-26-2011 12:05 PM
When I saw him last year Scott told the fellow with the baseball, very kindly, that he was an awful baseball player and did not feel comfortable signing them. When he was offered more money he still refused. I had Dave Scott sign a few Apollo 15 items the last few shows, one of which had a short inscription, and he did not charge beyond his normal signing fee. But I guess it depends on the inscription. |
Nigel Mc
Member Posts: 182
From: Sheffield, UK
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 08-26-2011 12:28 PM
If you just buy the $20 ticket does that give you access to the astronaut lectures that are held throughout the day? |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-26-2011 12:37 PM
Thanks for the info on Scott. I had a fellow cS member very graciously offer to get something signed at this show for me and I'm just trying to get some info on cost so I can figure out if I can do it before I ask if the offers still available. Thanks! |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted 08-26-2011 06:55 PM
If anyone is looking for reference prices I copied the ASF AAMS 2010 Program prices on first page of this thread. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-26-2011 08:05 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Nigel Mc:
If you just buy the $20 ticket does that give you access to the astronaut lectures that are held throughout the day?
I'm not sure if they will be handling the lectures differently this time, but I suspect they will still be holding them in the Astronaut Encounter auditorium. Anyone in the Visitor's Center at KSC should be able to get in to the lectures, although I think Platinum Pass folks will have reserved seating up front. You could probably e-mail the ASF folks -- I suspect they would let you know if that is the plan for this year.
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walkerj6
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posted 08-27-2011 12:43 PM
Just purchased my tickets for the Gemini XII dinner and photo op - I'm so excited!! |
Skyguy48
Member Posts: 142
From: Scotland
Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 08-28-2011 05:48 PM
quote:
Originally posted by walkerj6:
Just purchased my tickets for the Gemini XII dinner and photo op - I'm so excited!!
Hey me too (so excited) — am just wondering what am I suppose to wear... Will it be a Posh thing with dinner suits etc? |
walkerj6
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posted 08-28-2011 10:56 PM
I would assume it is a suit type of event - not sure exactly though... |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-29-2011 07:53 AM
Although I know it's a less than stellar announcement, I've now agreed to fly over from Australia for this event and will be setting up a signing table just like last year. And just like last year Francis French will also be attending, so we'll happily sign any of our books (for free!) I will be contacting the space shop at the center to ensure they have copies of my new book, "Selecting the Mercury Seven: The Search for America's First Astronauts" available for purchase, and of course Francis and Al Worden will have copies of "Falling to Earth" at hand. |
Dave Clow
Member Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 08-29-2011 10:43 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
Although I know it's a less than stellar announcement...
Sounds like a stellar announcement to me. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 08-29-2011 11:09 AM
quote:
Originally posted by walkerj6:
I would assume it is a suit type of event
By suit-type event can I wear a SCAPE suit so long as I have a tie to go with it?  |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2476
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 08-29-2011 11:19 AM
I think a "Remove Before Flight" red flag would be perfect as a SCAPE suit tie. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 08-30-2011 09:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Skyguy48:
...what am I suppose to wear
Last year's dinner had a tropical theme, so they gave out leis, and a number of folks wore Hawaiian shirts etc. I went 'business casual' with a sport coat and khakis, and wasn't out of place. I think that's fine for cocktail reception as well. |
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