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Author
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Topic: Astronaut autographs: personalize or not?
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sleepman57
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posted 07-05-2002 03:18 PM
   
Is it better to have astronaut autographs inscribed or is it more collectible when there is no personalization?
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Dennis Talbot
Member Posts: 172
From: Terrigal NSW Australia
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 07-05-2002 03:30 PM
There seems to be a larger market for uninscribed pieces but personally I prefer inscribed pieces as not only do you get get more of the persons handwriting but most forgers wont risk a long inscription. |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-05-2002 03:35 PM
I'm assuming you mean personalized; in that case I'd say it's not a question of collectability per se (it depends on the collector), but of resale value.If you have an eye on the future value of your collection you are probably best off leaving items un-personalized judging on typical market prices. Of course if you got a lengthy un-personalized inscription e.g. Frank Borman adding the famous 'Genesis' quote and his signature to an Apollo 8 image then it would probably enhance the monetary value even further. Hope this helps - I have a mixture of both personalized and not and enjoy them equally. |
Robonaut
Member Posts: 259
From: Solihull, West Mids, England
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 07-05-2002 04:42 PM
It is whatever the individual collector prefers. I do like photographs signed to me. It makes them personal. But I also do not mind un-personalized items.From a financial point of view Matt is right. Personalized photographs are cheaper to buy from dealers. This is because collectors are less likely to buy them. I have never bought one. I cannot quite come to terms with a photo saying to Bill with best wishes. Why do I ask spacefarers to put "to Rob" when I know it reduces their value. Because it is my collection and they are for me, not for resale. I have a different opinion when it comes to handwritten letters. These look very nice regardless of who they are personalized to. As for typed letters I am less sure. They may have been typed by a secretary and that does not feel quite right to my collecting instincts. As for philatelic/commemorative Covers, I do not like them personalized and in general only like the name of the spacefarer. That is all that is necessary if the Cover is about the mission they flew. If it is a general commemorative space cover then I do not mind missions being added but still no personalization. As for covers commemorating a mission signed by a spacefarer who did not fly that mission, well to use a British saying 'I would not touch them with a bargepole'. My exception to this last rule is anniversary covers signed by several spacefarers, which the Russians often produce. |
sleepman57
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posted 07-05-2002 05:10 PM
For years I would collect astronaut autographs in any form, but recently I feel that in many instances the inscribed form of autograph may help protect to some degree the chance of forgery especially with astronauts like Armstrong, Grissom, etc.(with Armstrong and many crew 8x10s this can be the deciding factor). |
uzzi69
Member Posts: 181
From: Richmond, IN USA
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 07-05-2002 07:48 PM
I have both personalized and unpersonalized autographs. If you meet an astronaut in person, or you send a mail request, it's nice to have them personalized to you. You had the lucky experience with that astronaut, and it's nice when they take a little extra time to sign it to you. As for photos inscribed to others, it is an economical way to get some of the more expensive astronauts, and a way to verify the authenticity of the signature. I know some people don't like them inscribed to other people. I don't really myself, but it might be the only way to get some of the deceased astronauts, and others that don't sign anymore. |
PerryM
Member Posts: 71
From: Temple, TX USA
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 12-30-2009 09:08 AM
I am new to collecting and several of my Apollo autographs are personalized to me but I am debating to replace them with unpersonalized ones. This may just be a personal thing but I wanted to see what others may think. I am also debating on moving up to crew signed since I have singles signed of all the Apollo members. Well let me know what you think.Editor's note: Threads merged |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 12-30-2009 09:21 AM
It depends if you intend to sell them on I suppose? I've got unpersonalised and some not. I quite like the ones to me, they are a bit special!! |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 12-30-2009 11:06 AM
If you already have several signatures personalized to you and presumably have paid for those signatures (and did so recently), you'll likely not recover your investment by selling them now...though you will get some money for them, of course (perhaps 25-50% of your investment). If you prefer to start collecting unpersonalized items from now on, I would still suggest hanging onto the few items you have that are personalized to you...especially if you are collecting for the purposes of keeping them forever. Keep in mind that not too long in the future, the Apollo astronauts will stop signing altogether. At that point, if you decide that you want something personalized to you, it will be too late. (Also remember that unpersonalized examples will be available for many years to come through secondary sources) Don't make a rash decision now that will result in you kicking yourself later. |
NASAROB
Member Posts: 38
From: Astoria NY
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 12-31-2009 08:48 AM
I collect for myself and would never think of re-selling them. I prefer having them personalized. When I show my collection to friends it really "shocks" them to see them personalized. |
Flying Dutchman
Member Posts: 161
From: Heemstede
Registered: Jan 2007
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posted 12-31-2009 08:53 AM
I completely agree with fellow cS member NASAROB. I collect astronaut autographs since November 1984 and I never ever in the whole wide world even think of selling my precious contacts with my heroes. It is my personal private collection and I am very very proud of the moments those people took to reply to my questions and requests. So personalised autographs are awesome. |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 12-31-2009 02:58 PM
I like to have mine personalized when possible. My son's name is also Brian, so it is a bonus when he one day has my collection. |
JasonIUP
Member Posts: 282
From: PA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 01-01-2010 10:40 PM
Generally, all autographs will be sold. Maybe you won't sell them while you're alive. But, your widow or kids very well might sell them because they could use the money more than they can use the autographs. I don't claim to have heard every story ever told, but I've never heard of anyone inheriting a nice collection of autographs and keeping them. Having said that, I believe that the only time something should be personalized is when you're having someone sign a photo of you and the signer. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3811
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-02-2010 12:29 AM
Most photos might eventually be re-sold after a collector passes away, true. But the most important thing is to have something that will give the collector the maximum amount of enjoyment from while they are alive. If that means having a signed photo personalized to them, then I can't fault anyone for doing so. |
AstronautBrian
Member Posts: 287
From: Louisiana
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 01-02-2010 08:16 AM
Well, if my wife and kids decide to sell off my collection after I am six feet under, then so be it. But if my son or grandkids have an interest and decide to keep them, they will have a heck of a good start on their collection! |
NASAROB
Member Posts: 38
From: Astoria NY
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 01-02-2010 08:25 AM
No offense, but this is the is what is wrong with the hobby; we are worried about how are these autographs worth and how much money can I (or my family) get for something I may have gotten for free. We need to stop complaining about astronanuts who do not sign or change a fee, it is all our fault. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1168
From: Tucson, AZ
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 01-02-2010 01:48 PM
I'm wondering how the IRS would value a personalized collection vs. unpersonalized.I surmise, in their haste and ignorance they would value it the same, even though market realities say otherwise. This could wind up negatively impacting your estate, and surviving loved ones. |
danpal
Member Posts: 48
From: Roma, Italy
Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 01-06-2010 03:51 PM
What do you think about the astronauts' photos that I put in my website? Thank you for your comments.Paolo D'Angelo |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 01-06-2010 04:42 PM
Paolo, I LOVE your collection! Obviously you built it over a period of years - you actually COLLECTED it rather than buying it. That the photos are consistently dedicated to you makes this collection uniquely yours. Taken as a whole, your collection tells me a lot about who you are as a person, in addition to the astronauts whose signatures you have. To me, it illustrates your deep personal passion and commitment for the space program. If someone were to sell off your collection one piece at a time, I think it would be a shame. So much of the larger story - the part that makes it uniquely yours - would be missing. Congratulations on your spectacular collection! |
Paul23
Member Posts: 836
From: South East, UK
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 01-06-2010 04:52 PM
The approach I tend to take with autographs that I obtain in person is to get them unpersonalised, not because I have any interest in reselling them but because I hope one of my nieces, nephews or own kids if I ever have any will take an interest in spaceflight in the future so I can pass the collection down to them. I figure without my name plastered all over the pictures they will be able to view it as their collection as time passes. What I do like to do though is get a photo with the astronaut so that I always have a personal souvenir that is completely unique to me. There are goodness knows how many signed visor shots of Buzz Aldrin around but there is only one photo in the world of me and him! As for all collections being sold at some point, I have my Dad's football (or soccer if that's how you choose to live your life) autograph collection from the 1950s and believe me that is not going anywhere! |
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