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Author
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Topic: Greed?
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moonsuit steve
Member Posts: 44
From: U.K
Registered: Jun 2001
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posted January 15, 2003 10:32 AM
   
I have been a member of this forum for quite a while now but havent posted recently.However, I have been reading other peoples posts regarding Astronauts who have either stopped signing through the post or in person (or both) etc... I mean no offence by this comment but is anyone really surprised when these guys decide to call it a day? Alot of people in this forum seem to send auto requests one after the other to the same astro and arent content with just getting one auto back. I wrote to Jack Schmitt (my fave astro) and sent him a pic to sign. It took six months but I finally got it back signed. I was over the moon .....but it didnt make me want to hassle the poor guy again. Its great that you're all into astro autographs ....but please dont be greedy and ask for repeated requests because you are spoiling it for the rest of us when astronauts get sick of it and retire from signing! Be thankful for what you've got. |
Cliff Lentz
Member Posts: 606
From: Philadelphia, PA USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted January 15, 2003 01:11 PM
Point well taken! I try not to repeat a request through the mail unless I think that a previous submission didn't get through. I'm probably very guilty of over-asking for autographs when I meet someone in person. Generally its because I have so many items that really would be enhanced with the signature. Value doesn't enter into the decision for me, although it probably is a consideration for some. The one factor that I see for astronauts refusing to sign may be the advent of EBAY. Everyday I see autos, personalized or not, being offered for ridiculous prices. How can you blame them for stopping? |
icarkie
Member Posts: 583
From: BURTON ON TRENT /England
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 15, 2003 01:49 PM
Hi Steve I agree in what you say,especially the repetitive request to the same astronaut.
I'am waiting for Al Bean autograph at the moment,even though its one of the easiest to get I would never sell it (ebay etc)and would like to think that my daughter and in the future her kids would appreciate this item.
It seems myself and many others have lost out in this day and age of getting autographs EASYLY to the likes of SCOTT /LOVELL /COLLINS and others which I would think were a bit easier to get in the 60's /70's.
all the best Ian |
KLC
Member Posts: 48
From: U.P. Michigan
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted January 15, 2003 02:15 PM
I'd have to agree that some people have (or do ) go a bit overboard when it comes to requests thru the mail. And EBAY does offer an easy way for someone to turn around and make a quick buck off of these men and women. But besides the auctions,we must consider that some of these people had been signing for over 30 years.That's a good run. And.... there are those out there that have taken advantage of the in person signings too in order to make some easy cash.( We have all seen sellers claiming that something was signed at this or that event.) So who is to say. This is an interesting subject, and I may just pose this question to a couple of the Apollo era astronauts I have known for some time now, and see what their take on things is. And yes, they are in the group of "retired" signers, so it will be interesting. I will not put out any names, but I will check on it, and post what I find. This may take a while, but I think it will be food for thought for some of us.
Rob T. |
Robonaut
Member Posts: 205
From: Solihull, West Mids, England
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted January 16, 2003 06:58 PM
If an astronaut decides not to sign that is their choice. It must be anoying to them to see autographs they have given for free to what they believe are space enthusiasts appearing on eBay soon afterwards.I have never sold any of my autographs but have given the subject some thought. I would never consider selling an autograph that had been given to me for free. However, if an astronaut had charged me for their autograph then that is a commercial transaction and they should have no complaint if I then decided to sell it on for a profit. Best wishes Rob Wood |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2111
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted January 17, 2003 08:58 AM
Maybe the thought is a bit too simple. If you collect space covers, you document each and every mission, launch, landing, and maybe mission highlights. If you collect autographed space covers, then you do of course want crew signed (or individually signed covers, if the crew is not available) from each mission. If an astronaut flies on 6 missions (and that happens often today), this means you ask him at least six time throughout his active career. Nothing to do with greed, just with the layout of the hobby. You can develop the same collecting concept with blue jumpsuit, orange spacesuit, MMU spacesuit, different patches, for signed lithos. Again, no greed, just a collecting concept. ------------------
Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies |
pad leader
Member Posts: 101
From: swadlincote, derbyshire uk
Registered: Nov 2002
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posted January 18, 2003 09:09 AM
i agree with robonaut. my collection comprises of a photo for each mission undertaken if possible. i dont always get one and i am sorry if that causes others not to recieve piccies but i do not sell them i do not make a penny, or cent that is just how i collect them. with the volume of mail they recieve i do not think that one or two requests really matters. especially when they are years apart.
mark |
KLC
Member Posts: 48
From: U.P. Michigan
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted January 18, 2003 01:46 PM
Years apart is one thing.... but there are those that DO send one request out after the last one arrives. Those are the ones to be concerned about. |
eurospace
Member Posts: 2111
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted January 20, 2003 04:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by KLC:
Years apart is one thing.... but there are those that DO send one request out after the last one arrives. Those are the ones to be concerned about.
I agree with you here. I keep files of my requests and I take care never to send more than one request per year at the most.
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Jürgen P Esders
Berlin, Germany
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Astroaddies |
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