|
Author
|
Topic: Armstrong Autograph Project
|
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-10-2003 11:45 AM
   
In light of our recent slugfests, I thought of something we could do as a group that would be beneficial to everyone and result in no bickering amongst us (believe it or not).There is obviously a need for a better way to authenticate an Armstrong signature, as there is a lack of consensus among us.
I believe we should create a database on the collectspace site (if possible) of unquestionably authentic Armstrong signatures. (We can do other astronauts later but Armstrong should be the first as he is the most valuable widely held one and everyone agrees his office never sent out secretarials.) Here are the ground rules:
The autograph must have been obtained by YOU directly from Armstrong's office, by YOU from him in-person or be from one of the few lithos he signed (Naval Aviation, Calle, etc.). You do not have to own it anymore - if you still have a scan of it that would suffice. Along with the scan also please tell me:
- the date of the autograph (as best you recall)
- the context (in-person, through the mail or litho) We are operating on the honor system here but I do not believe that should be a problem because I think we are an honorable bunch. I would like members to email scans of their unquestionably authentic Armstrong signatures to me at scornish@houston.rr.com I will gather them together and provide them to Robert Pearlman, if he wishes, to do with as he so chooses. I have a cable modem so receiving them should not be a problem. 50-200kb or so each should be of sufficient size to properly represent them. I hope everyone likes this idea and I look forward to receiving your scans. Best wishes,
Scott
:-)
[This message has been edited by Scott (edited July 10, 2003).]
[This message has been edited by Scott (edited July 10, 2003).] |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-10-2003 11:56 AM
Scott, I think this is a great idea and I am in full support of working with you to present such a resource (and not just Armstrong as you suggest, but assembling signature studies for other rare autographs as well).I have a suggestion though, for those who will participate. As signature styles change throughout the years, and placing the signatures into some type of chronological order might be of value, when submitting your scans to Scott, may I suggest you also note the date the autograph was received (if a specific day is not known, then at least the year) and the location (in-person, through the mail, purchased on an art print, etc.). [This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited July 10, 2003).] |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-10-2003 12:06 PM
Robert,
Thanks for pointing out that other valuable info. I have edited my post above to include them.
Scott |
Bob M
Member Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000
|
posted 07-10-2003 12:08 PM
On the surface, it's a great idea to have an Armstrong autograph database, and especially by styles and by decades. It would be handy and useful to collectors and dealers, but, unfortunately, it would also be handy and useful to forgers who could use it as a reference and practice guide. Maybe an Armstrong autograph forgery database would be a better idea, at least as a start. Bob Mc. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-10-2003 12:16 PM
Your point is a very good one Bob, but everyone go ahead and send me your scans and I'll let Robert decide the course of action he feels is best. Maybe the database won't be published on the internet, but at least it will exist.
An Armstrong forgery database would be wonderful, but there would be no way to be objectively certain that all of them are indeed forgeries (look no further than the recent threads).
Scott |
Matt T
Member Posts: 1368
From: Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-10-2003 01:32 PM
I applaud the intention behind this suggestion and have often wished for such a resource. However there is another problem that's worth mentioning, the issue of responsibility / liability.In the event of a forger succesfully introducing one of his own pieces into the 'genuine Armstrong' collection people could be purchasing pieces on the strength of the database.
Hopefully this is a situation that wouldn't arise in the first place, but if it did, and then the forgery were later revealed (Peachstate-style), then we could anticipate some extremely bitter and acrimonious exchanges. I believe an extremely water-tight disclaimer would have to dominate the home page of any such resource. Cheers,
Matt |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-10-2003 02:39 PM
I agree that a disclaimer will be necessary for the study when it is published. I also think there are some ways we can protect the validity of the archive by screening the submissions. I would propose that only people who are known by the community or who can provide references vouching for them should be allowed to participate. Simply put, I would not choose to publish the submission from someone whom no one had heard of prior to this project.
[This message has been edited by Robert Pearlman (edited July 10, 2003).] |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-10-2003 02:47 PM
Matt raises a valid point regarding non-authentic submissions by a forger or (even more unfortunately) a person who wishes to cause trouble, so since we are hoping to create an ironclad reference, perhaps only signatures from inscribed examples, TLsS and lithos would be included.
As for Bob's concern, as I mentioned before I will place in the hands of Robert how best to proceed with the examples.
Scott |
spaceman1953
Member Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002
|
posted 07-11-2003 08:30 PM
Needless to say, this is an exceptional idea and well long overdue.I will send my scans starting with "my" Armstrong's. I will be more than willing to contribute other astronauts as the database continues.....should the project be done chronologically (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, etc). or alphabetically by astronauts last name ??? This could be one of the most significant projects collectSPACE.com could ever hope to contribute to the collecting community. Gene |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-13-2003 01:27 PM
If I may add a few comments: A nice gentleman wrote me and asked if I wanted him to take his Armstrong signed picture out of its frame so he could get a better image of it. For godsakes DO NOT take your framed autographs out of their frames or do anything that would risk damaging them. For instance, I have an unframed litho that I keep in a large white foamboard stiffener sandwich. I did not even consider scanning it as putting it on my scanner would risk bending it. So I just laid it out flat on the floor and took a pic of it with my digital camera. BTW, graphite pencil for some reason does not show up well at all on most scanners. Your pics don't have to be perfect, just do the best you easily can. Don't worry about the sharpening, contrast, etc. as I have software to do that on this end.
Also, in the interest of privacy and unless otherwise requested, I am cropping out names from inscriptions as well as is reasonable and still leaving Armstrong's signature untouched.
I have received quite a few scans and please keep them coming. Based on what I have gotten so far there is a lot to learn about his autograph, at least on my end.
Thank you again for your participation and if there are any questions do not hesitate to email me.
Scott
:-) |
Madon_space
Member Posts: 667
From: uk
Registered: Sep 2002
|
posted 07-14-2003 06:10 AM
Hi Scott
I have an Armstrong on white paper obtained from a UACC Registered Dealer Uninscribed would this count.
This is a great idea by the way.
All the best
ROB |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 07-14-2003 10:56 AM
Hi Rob,
Your autograph is probably real and I wish we could use it but we are only using autographs submitters have personally obtained from Armstrong. For example, I have a WSS litho inscribed by Armstrong to someone. It is a classic example and authentic but I cannot use it because I did not personally receive it from Armstrong.
Thank you for that great question!
Scott
:-) |
advertisement