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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Central's 2013 Buzz Aldrin signing
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garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 02-20-2013 09:16 AM
   
You don't consider someone willing to sit on 6.5 million pounds of explosive chemicals as heroic? Please let us know your definition.I'm sorry you cannot afford or you believe the value does not warrant completing your Apollo 11 autograph collection. At the same time, some people think $30 million for a necklace is reasonable and other people can't afford food for dinner. Some perspective is needed in any discussion of cost versus value. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-20-2013 09:58 AM
Perspective is a matter of perspective, as they say. Collins is a modest man, Aldrin not so modest, but the personalities of these men does not take anything away from the fact that what they did was extremely dangerous and of course this warrants respect. But then so does a fireman, a policeman, a nurse, etc.You can stand there all day until you are red in the face defending your corner, but these types of opinions are not easily changed. Fact of the matter is, these men should be respected for their achievements (as should those who helped them get there, lest we should forget) but anything beyond that, that is a different story really isn't it (as we have seen from this very discussion). Finally, I wouldn't pay the fees but I would certainly shake their hands. |
Glint
Member Posts: 1040
From: New Windsor, Maryland USA
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 02-20-2013 10:12 AM
quote:
Originally posted by garyd2831:
My favorite item in my space collection is my memory and a few simple photos....It will outweigh any autograph or material possession I have and I will take that one with me all the way to the end.
Amen! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-20-2013 11:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by rgarner:
Fact of the matter is, these men should be respected for their achievements (as should those who helped them get there, lest we should forget) but anything beyond that, that is a different story really isn't it (as we have seen from this very discussion).
Very well summarised. Not only do WE have varied opinions, but so do THEY about their "heroic" status... and that was my point, lest it fell on unhearing ears. |
HistorianMom
Member Posts: 105
From: Columbia, Missouri USA
Registered: Nov 2010
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posted 02-20-2013 02:54 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DChudwin:
Wow! $500 base fee. While Col. Aldrin certainly has the right to charge whatever he can get, I am happy I had him sign some items like an Apollo 11 flight plan and lunar orbit map when his fee was only $100.
Yeah, Aldrin has priced himself out of my comfort zone. I'm a little sad about that, because my kid does have a book signed by most of the Apollo astronauts that I would love to have Col Aldrin sign for him as well, but that's just too much for us. We'll have to do without. But we do without a lot of things that would be NICE to have, but certainly not essential.My biggest regret now is that I didn't have Lovell sign the book in 2011. The kid had saved $600 bucks and I added another $400. I think that bought eight autographs. I don't hold any astronaut's autograph policy against him. They're free to ask what they want, or never sign at all. I appreciate the ones who take the time to talk to people, and particularly the ones who will talk to young people. It can't be fun to have the same conversation every other day with some starstruck teen, but for the teens, it is something they will remember all their lives. Truly, those encounters can be life changing. We saw Admiral Mattingly earlier this month, and the kid is still glowing from the event. No autograph, but we did get a photograph. |
spkjb
Member Posts: 144
From: Merritt Island, Florida USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-20-2013 08:35 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Personally, I'd rather he retire from signing than charge these sky high fees.
Let the market dictate.If he charges too much, he will not get the money he could. If he charges too little , he will not get the money he should. Maybe best to let the government set the fee... |
Ronpur
Member Posts: 1211
From: Brandon, Fl
Registered: May 2012
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posted 02-20-2013 09:47 PM
Well, not wanting to be totally morbid, but when Buzz passes away, there will be tons of people making tons of money selling his autographs. We just witnessed that with Neil. He should be able to charge what he wants and enjoy the rest of his life with the money he makes from his autographs while he can. |
schnappsicle
Member Posts: 396
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 02-21-2013 08:08 AM
At the ASF show last November, I paid $875 to get Aldrin to sign a panorama. I already had one that said "Magnificent Desolation", which I really like, but I've always wanted the LM plaque written on an Apollo 11 photo and a panorama seemed like the perfect place to do it. It gave him the room to write what I wanted him to, and also showed the entire landing scene, which added to the impact of the quote.To me the $875 price he charged was a bargain. I finally got the Apollo 11 photo I've always wanted; signed exactly the way I wanted it signed. Of course I could have saved a few dollars by buying it in the secondary market, but I'm not sure I could have found what I wanted in the secondary market, even if he has signed other photos that way before. Most of all, I know that the photo I have was really signed by him and it is not one of the trillions of forgeries that people post every day on Ebay. To me, that alone is worth the price. I'm going to Spacefest V in May to get more autographs even though I already have autos from every astronaut who's attending. The reason I'm doing it again (this will be my 3rd Spacefest in a row), is to get certain photos signed the way I want them. To me, the inscription is everything in an autograph. I'm more than happy to pay extra for something that really adds to the photo. Best of all, by being there, I can work with the astronaut to come up with the perfect inscription. I usually have something in mind before I get to the table, but I've been known to change my mind after talking to the astronaut. The issue here isn't about money. It’s about where you choose (or have) to spend it. I'm not rich by any means. I earn a decent, but very modest living. I wasn't able to afford anything until my daughter graduated from college a few years ago. Now, by scrimping and saving all year, it seems I have just enough money to get the frivilous things I've always wanted. |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 02-21-2013 11:06 AM
I have got to ask. After all this venting regarding Col Aldrin's signing policy, what has been accomplished?The response should be... nothing. This is a "dead horse" discussion and the current signing policies stand and are not going to change over a few unhappy customers/collectors. As Spacefest already stated, Col Aldrin's autograph lines are still long and other vendors want to get as close as possible to him. At least he hasn't adopted the signing policy that MG Anders has chosen to take... not signing at all. So be happy that this well accomplished hero of 83 years old still decides to sign to this day. Either put up or shut up is what people have said to me before. That is true here too. |
JasonIUP
Member Posts: 282
From: PA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 02-21-2013 12:01 PM
As with most discussions I read, I think the intent is to be informative only. I don't think anyone thinks that they're going to successfully lobby Buzz to lower his prices. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-21-2013 12:02 PM
Honestly Gary, I don't think anyone meant insult by it. But you can expect this discussion to happen again in the future as it has many times before. Swings and roundabouts. I think we can all agree, we respect each and everyone one of them! |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 02-21-2013 12:09 PM
Of course I respect one opinion, its a free country.I just feel that sometimes we just talk just to hear ourselves talk. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-21-2013 01:12 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ronpur:
Well, not wanting to be totally morbid, but when Buzz passes away, there will be tons of people making tons of money selling his autographs. We just witnessed that with Neil.
A lot of Armstrong autographs came to the market once Neil passed, but the net effect was that the prices didn't really increase and the market for Armstrong's autograph today is virtually unchanged from what it was 1-2 years ago.While some people may try to cash in on Aldrin's passing when it happens, it likely won't have a huge impact on the value of his signature, since he has signed A LOT of autographs in the past. I don't see the supply of his signatures drying up anytime soon. quote:
He should be able to charge what he wants and enjoy the rest of his life with the money he makes from his autographs while he can.
Nobody in this discussion has disputed this point. But if he is as tired of signing autographs as Kim likes to tell us, perhaps he should consider giving it a rest for a while (and enjoy his golden years doing things that he loves). I don't buy into the argument that Buzz has to keep increasing his fees in order to keep signing.I especially laugh at the argument that Lois gets half of his earnings now. How much of his earnings did Lois take six years ago when they were married (and Buzz's signing fee was under $200)? Probably half! |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-21-2013 01:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by garyd2831:
At least he hasn't adopted the signing policy that MG Anders has chosen to take... not signing at all.
Anders still signs, if you're willing to part with $2500 (or more). Does that make you feel any better about his signing policy? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-21-2013 01:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Anders still signs, if you're willing to part with $2500 (or more).
Anders ceased signing for the $2500 (or any level donation to his Heritage Flight Museum) some time ago. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-21-2013 04:24 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Anders ceased signing for the $2500 (or any level donation to his Heritage Flight Museum) some time ago.
I was unaware of that change in Anders' signing policy, but the point still remains: Was it better to only sign for $2500+ or is it better to simply not sign at all? Opinions will likely differ, but apparently Anders ultimately decided that not signing was the better choice for him. Personally speaking, I don't want an autograph from someone if they find the idea of signing so unpleasant or tiresome that they'll only do it for a lot of money. |
benfairfax
Member Posts: 199
From: NSW Australia
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 02-21-2013 04:46 PM
Lucky most of us live in a FREE country, where Mr Aldrin is free to charge what he like and you are FREE to not pay it. Anyone who rode one of those Saturn V's is a hero, and always will be. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-21-2013 05:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
...they'll only do it for a lot of money.
To be fair to Anders, the money requested (regardless the amount) was a donation to his family's non-profit heritage flight museum. In that regard, it was no different than someone bidding at the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation's auctions for time with an astronaut (whether the astronaut is scuba diving, touring a space center or signing an autograph is no different). But that shouldn't even be a consideration. What someone decides to do with their money — as long as it doesn't hurt others — should only be the concern of that person. |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 02-21-2013 06:36 PM
We do this EVERY time.  |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-22-2013 04:58 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Anders ceased signing for the $2500 (or any level donation to his Heritage Flight Museum) some time ago.
He was still promulgating this in Nov 2009 at the ASF show. I sat next to him. |
astrobar1
Member Posts: 112
From: Mishawaka, IN, USA
Registered: Apr 2005
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posted 02-22-2013 07:44 AM
Yeah, Paul, I sat with you and Gen Anders at that 2009 ASF Show as well, and remember it like you do. I tried contacting him a year ago about donating $2500 to his Heritage of Flight museum and hoping he would sign a book for me (which has been signed by 19 other Apollo astronauts). I never heard back from him, so am inclined to believe that he has stopped that practice. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 02-22-2013 08:29 AM
I emailed the foundation about a year ago and got a response that Anders is sometimes inclined to sign for the donation. I have no idea if that's changed but if might not hurt to email them and see if you haven't already. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 02-22-2013 08:34 AM
quote:
Originally posted by GACspaceguy:
I just checked my credit card statement and he charged $500 in November and the 3D was $600. No increases that I can see.
You might want to check that you weren't overcharged (though I don't know what you could do now about it) because I know that's $50 more than what he had posted and what I paid for my 3D item at ASF ($550).
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schnappsicle
Member Posts: 396
From: Houston, TX, USA
Registered: Jan 2012
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posted 02-23-2013 06:12 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
Lois gets half his earnings now.
If I was being forced to give half of my signing fees to my ex-wife, I think I'd be signing for free. |
cycleroadie
Member Posts: 452
From: Apalachin, NY USA
Registered: May 2011
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posted 02-23-2013 06:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by schnappsicle:
If I was being forced to give half of my signing fees to my ex-wife, I think I'd be signing for free.
Best post yet! |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 02-23-2013 08:18 AM
Haha, legend! |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 02-26-2013 02:11 PM
quote:
Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
As for all the "hero" talk, consider what Mike Collins said and respect his view: "Heroes abound, but don't count astronauts among them. We worked very hard, we did our jobs to near perfection, but that is what we had been hired to do."
A true hero would never call himself one. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 02-28-2013 05:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacefest:
A true hero would never call himself one.
Can they get away with saying it (and selling it) on a t-shirt instead?  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-28-2013 07:56 PM
"Rocket Hero" is a marketing brand, not a self-description.By the way, Pete Conrad's marketing brand was "Heroes of Space" and included himself, Alan Bean, Charlie Duke and others. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 03-01-2013 02:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
"Rocket Hero" is a marketing brand, not a self-description.
But it's the marketing brand for Buzz Aldrin. If he doesn't want to identify himself as a hero, he sure picked a funny way of branding himself! For what it's worth, if he wants to brand himself as a hero, it doesn't bother me. It's silly to think all of the Apollo astronauts are humble about their roles in history. (After all, not everyone can be Neil Armstrong.) |
Apollo14LMP
Member Posts: 291
From: UK
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 03-01-2013 10:49 AM
Aldrin is a hero - aren't they all?I got a few autographs from Buzz. Did buy a VIP ticket for an event some years ago now. When approached Buzz signed, made polite conversation, and a funny comment "I don't know - go walk on the Moon and sign your life away..." So funny! A true gentleman! Had a great experience of spending a few minutes with someone I have always admired. After years and years of signing and being asked the same questions day in day out Buzz was brilliant. That said I would have just been glad for the photograph I got and to shake the mans hand. Simple if you want his autograph now pay the going rate or don't pay the fee? |
AJ
Member Posts: 511
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 03-01-2013 12:14 PM
Here's something I think might be a good retort from Buzz. |
eems
Member Posts: 49
From: MA, USA
Registered: Aug 2012
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posted 03-05-2013 09:23 PM
I'm sending in a mint 11" x 14" Buzz and Neil Raising Flag 69-HC-685 litho for the coming mail in signing. See: 181079864234.In the short time I’ve been collecting I always see the iconic images taken by Neil signed but infrequently this grainy 16mm (the reason it's not popular signed?) image signed. The contrast over Buzz is not so great but maybe the right pen choice would make it pop? Any recommendations for pen type, location, simple inscriptions, etc. from this great community where I'm guessing some people also have Neil's signature on this? The lighter space over Neil will never be used so maybe that’s a safer option. Thanks. |
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