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Author
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Topic: Astronaut Central's 2018 Michael Collins signing
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NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 03-02-2018 05:25 PM
   
Astronaut Mike Collins, of Apollo 11 and Gemini X, is coming to Tucson in May for a private signing with Astronaut Central. He unfortunately won't be attending Spacefest IX, so this is your only chance this year to have him sign something for you. Deadline for receipt of orders and items has been extended to Monday, April 30, 2018. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 03-02-2018 05:58 PM
Thank you, Rob. This is excellent news! |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 03-02-2018 06:48 PM
Good news — I'll be sending a couple of items in. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 03-03-2018 03:13 AM
Excellent news! |
Lightyear69
Member Posts: 95
From: Germany
Registered: Oct 2013
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posted 03-05-2018 05:42 AM
Thank you, Rob. This is excellent news. Item is on the way...Greetings from Germany. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 03-05-2018 11:29 AM
I'm planning to get one of my copies of "Carrying the Fire" signed by Michael Collins. Where have others had him sign this book, and with what type of pen?When I look at examples online, I see copies where he has signed the first end page, some on the title page, some on other pages. It's all over the board. The purchase form for Novaspace asks for details on placement and pen, so I'm curious what others recommend. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-05-2018 12:25 PM
I would have the title page signed, which has the title of the book and the author. Otherwise, you might as well have a signed blank piece of paper that's inserted into a book. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 03-05-2018 01:26 PM
Thanks, Hart. That's a good idea. I see a lot of them signed on the blank end page, but you're right, that's fairly generic. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 03-05-2018 03:19 PM
I agree with Hart that most people seem to prefer having a book signed on one of the pages that has printing on it, either the title page that has both the title and author's name, or sometimes the "half-title" page that has just the title on it."Carrying the Fire" causes some confusion though, because some of the older editions have the title printed across two pages, making it less obvious where to sign. Whichever page you choose, please make it very clear on the order form. As far as pen choice, we recommend a black Sakura Micron 08. This is an archival liquid ink pen, with a line width about the same or a little wider than a ballpoint pen, but a much denser, darker, and smoother flow than a ballpoint. It seldom bleeds through porous paper, unless the signer holds the pen in one location for a second or more. We strongly recommend against any Sharpie-type felt tip pen on porous paper, because it bleeds quite a bit. (Felt tip is okay for glossy and coated papers.) |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 03-05-2018 03:54 PM
Thanks, Rob. I have a first edition, first printing of the 1974 Farrar-Straus-Giroux edition. I just looked, and you're correct about the title being across two pages. Do you have any recommendations, based on past signings, as to what might look best with this edition? If not, I'll just think it over and pick a spot. |
jtheoret
Member Posts: 344
From: Albuquerque, NM USA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 03-10-2018 04:17 PM
I've had Collins sign across both pages and on just one of the pages, and I much prefer the latter. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-11-2018 09:58 AM
Have Collins sign the front cover of the book or the dustjacket. You can always find a copy signed on the inside. Cover signed books are far nicer and easier to display. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 03-11-2018 11:12 AM
For what it's worth, I doubt you will find many who agree with that sentiment, and if you or your heirs ever want to sell I think you will find a significantly lower sum will be realized for a book signed on the dust cover or front cover. To each their own. |
milkit1
Member Posts: 271
From: Springfield Illinois USA
Registered: Sep 2015
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posted 03-11-2018 01:39 PM
Cover is way better. I never understood having a book signed on the inside. There is no way to display it. I had Harrison Schmitt sign his book on the cover and it looked great. Otherwise its just a signed piece of paper inside a book. |
David C
Member Posts: 1015
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 03-11-2018 02:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by capoetc:
...I think you will find a significantly lower sum will be realized for a book signed on the dust cover or front cover.
Completely agree, signing on the cover or DJ is basically vandalism.But yes, to each their own. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 03-11-2018 04:05 PM
I understand both perspectives, but I have a large signed book collection, and prefer to have them inside the book, on the title page, if possible. I think I only have one book signed on the cover.Thanks for the reminder, though. My book will be going out in the mail tomorrow. |
milkit1
Member Posts: 271
From: Springfield Illinois USA
Registered: Sep 2015
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posted 03-11-2018 07:54 PM
If this is vandalism then lock me up and throw away the key. I never thought I'd be proud of vandalism. lol |
David C
Member Posts: 1015
From: Lausanne
Registered: Apr 2012
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posted 03-12-2018 02:03 PM
Do you have a Correctional Center preference? LOL. |
kirkland
Member Posts: 192
From: Oxfordshire
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted 03-25-2018 04:08 PM
So I was wondering if you were to get an index card signed by an astronaut, which pen would you use? For this example: Michael Collins.I've asked a lot of people and I'm still undecided. I have attached a reference image below:  |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 03-25-2018 04:10 PM
There is no "right" answer here; ultimately, it is what you like the look of that matters most. That said, I personally prefer ballpoint pen signatures on index cards. |
randyc
Member Posts: 779
From: Chandler, AZ USA
Registered: May 2003
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posted 03-25-2018 09:45 PM
I believe that there's an "unwritten rule" that the preferred, and most collectible location for an author to sign a book is on the title page, probably because it has the book title and author's name. Signatures on the half-title page are also acceptable, but signed title pages are preferred.Another example of an "unwritten rule" regarding signatures are signed baseballs. If there is only one signature collectors want the ball signed between the upper and lower stitching on the "sweet spot," which is the side opposite the logo. They also want the ball to be signed with a blue ballpoint pen. |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1169
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 03-25-2018 11:39 PM
I’m no expert on the subject of the archival qualities of various pens, but for what it's worth, when I was a kid I got a football (the kind for signatures with three white sections) signed by the 1972 Dallas Cowboys team in blue ballpoint. None of the signatures are very legible now. |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 2343
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 03-26-2018 01:29 AM
quote:
Originally posted by kirkland:
So I was wondering if you were to get an index card signed by an astronaut, which pen would you use?
I have many index signed (better than nothing) and I try and use my newest regular Sharpie, as the point is fine, otherwise superfine in books with a backing behind the title page. quote:
Originally posted by milkit1:
I never thought I'd be proud of vandalism.
That book is rare, and not actually a "dust cover" as others are referring to. Book does look nice. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 1091
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-26-2018 02:09 PM
If you get the book signed on the front you'll have a unique and easily displayable item that will be easy to differentiate from other signed books in case you ever want to sell it.If you get it signed on the inside you'll have the same thing as the other 5000 copies Collins has probably signed. Schmitt, Glynn Lunney and Clayton Anderson all told me no one had asked them to sign the cover before that and seemed interested in that part of it, as opposed to mindlessly signing the same way in the same place for the 100th time that day. I don't understand why anyone would want an autograph you can't display that has been signed the same way a thousand times, but to each his own. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 03-28-2018 05:12 PM
Mike Collins has slipped his signing date a little, so we've extended the deadline for receipt of orders and items to Monday, April 30, 2018. |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 04-09-2018 07:07 PM
With the deadline for the upcoming Mike Collins signing through Novaspace, a couple of items I will be sending include two red number NASA photos of the Ascent Module approaching the Command Module with Earth in the background.My question is a recommendation for type of pen, marker ink color to be used for signing these vintage photos. Should I use a permanent sharpie, silver sharpie or a ballpoint type of pen? Also a good place to sign on these photos. What will compliment these vintage photos and reflect the best way for Mike Collins to sign them? |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 04-11-2018 02:14 PM
I'm looking forward to hearing others' comments on your question, but here is what we'd suggest.We have had trouble with ballpoint on vintage photos, especially the glossy ones. There is not enough friction on the photo surface to get the ball to roll to dispense the ink. We would usually recommend extra-fine silver Sakura Pen-touch pen in the upper right or left black space. Sticks well and high contrast. We would recommend against silver Sharpie, as the line is often too thick, especially for Collins' narrow signing style, and the color is dull compared to the Sakura. Another option would be black permanent pen on the Moon's surface (we often use Staedtler Lumocolor permanent, very similar to Sharpie Extreme), but the contrast is not as much as silver on black. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-11-2018 03:58 PM
You could use Sharpie ultra-fine, I believe these are supplied by Astronaut Central. Maybe Rob can confirm that?I sent in my two panoramas for previous signings and both were signed with ultra-fine, gold Sharpie. I would also mention that Sakura archival pens have a tendency to leak. I've seen it happen before and it isn't a pleasant sight. On a vintage photo you may not want to risk it. |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 04-11-2018 04:15 PM
Thanks for both replies. These are vintage NASA red number Kodak glossy photos (Collins ascent photo) and I want to make sure whatever option is used, is long lasting and doesn't look like a disaster.Any other opinions are welcomed. |
rgarner
Member Posts: 1193
From: Shepperton, United Kingdom
Registered: Mar 2012
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posted 04-11-2018 05:11 PM
Sakura pens will last longer than any other, the ink is archival. So long as it is tested just prior to signing, you should be fine (but there is always that risk). |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 04-11-2018 07:36 PM
Unfortunately, the gold Sharpie Richard (rgarner) is referring to, and the similar silver Sharpie, come in only one size, and are nowhere near ultra-fine in width. They are the same tip as a regular black or blue Sharpie (what Sharpie calls "Fine", but is more like "Medium". You can see the extra-fine Sakura on our stock Collins Ascent photo, here.In our experience, it is extremely rare that the Sakura Pen-touch will leak, and we can often clean it off of a glossy photo. The Pilot brand that we used before Sakura was much more susceptible to that. The silver Sakura flows much better than the gold, and I would recommend that. If you are extremely concerned about leaking (I don't think you should be), then I suggest black Staedtler on the lunar surface. |
yotlu
Member Posts: 34
From: Austria
Registered: Apr 2017
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posted 04-12-2018 02:17 AM
I am looking forward to getting a photo of Columbia floating above the moon signed (provided by Astronaut Central).Since I have no experience in marker types I need some advice. Reading your previous posts I would like to know what kind of pen looks best in terms of type and stroke width. I would prefer the color blue over black for the mentioned photo. Thanks. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 04-12-2018 04:28 PM
For a Collins signature on the Columbia photo you mentioned, we'd recommend a Medium-tip Staedtler (Lumocolor permanent), like we use on our stock Collins Columbia photo. Collins can also use the Fine-tip, with a thinner line that will look cleaner, but will not contrast as well against the background.We can do blue, instead of black, but every blue ink/paint we are aware of is more susceptible to fading over time than black. The Staedtler blue is much better than the standard Sharpie blue, but even it can fade over time. Blue was traditionally used for autographs, and I think there may have been a previous topic about that, but black tends to fade less. Personally, I prefer the black ink on the tan/grey lunar surface, over blue. I think the contrast is higher, and shows up better.
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yotlu
Member Posts: 34
From: Austria
Registered: Apr 2017
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posted 04-12-2018 06:42 PM
Thanks for the advice Rob. You'll receive my order form shortly. |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 640
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 04-17-2018 02:46 PM
Thanks everyone for your insight on what would be best.Rob, I'm sure you will be calling me for clarification. Hopefully my order that just went out in the mail isn't to confusing. If anyone is looking for a last minute Apollo 11 beta to have signed by Mike Collins, let me know. I have like 30+ of them. |
Jonnyed
Member Posts: 396
From: Dumfries, VA, USA
Registered: Aug 2014
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posted 04-18-2018 08:45 PM
Regarding the question of whether to have the astronaut or author sign the title page or the dust cover, why not ask for both? [grin] Perhaps you can get a discount from the 2x fee?! [smile]I imagine that the title page is generally preferred because it allows better for an inscription as opposed to inscribing a dustcover — seems more awkward. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 05-10-2018 06:34 PM
Any update on when the signing will take place? |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 05-11-2018 02:05 PM
Please be patient. The signing is on schedule, but we do not announce the actual signing date, so that we don't have people trying to visit while the astronaut is here.Considering that we always receive lots of orders on the deadline date, and several orders after that date, we need two or three weeks to process all of the orders, tag and sort the items, and make sure everything is ready to go. Even though your order arrived quite early, it is in a stack of orders I will be reviewing today, and I will email you if I have any questions. |
SpaceyInMN
Member Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013
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posted 05-11-2018 04:39 PM
No worries at all. I realize it will happen when it happens, and I totally understand your rationale for not publicly announcing the actual date. I just hadn't heard any update in a while. I'm glad to hear things are still on schedule. Thank you for the update, and I apologize if I came across as impatient. That wasn't my intent in the least. |
NovaRob
Member Posts: 242
From: Tucson, Arizona, USA
Registered: Nov 2008
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posted 05-11-2018 07:30 PM
No problem. My patience comment was more for the general audience. |
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