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Author
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Topic: Is Armstong the most overpriced autograph in history?
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-23-2007 10:56 AM
   
quote:
Originally posted by Wehaveliftoff:
Hank Aaron is signing next week for the public for only $50 and all proceeds going to a charity.
Next week Armstrong will be in Portugal participating in the official dedication ceremony of the New Seven Wonders of the World.Comparing Aaron to Armstrong is comparing apples to oranges. One is an engineer whose work made him famous, the other is an entertainer whose work by its very nature relied on fame to fill seats. But even that doesn't really matter: for reasons I will not go into here, no, I do not think Armstrong will sign for a charity but that is his prerogative. There is nothing more "right" about what Aaron has chosen to do, nor is there anything more "wrong" about Armstrong's decision not to sign. They are both individuals, retired from their chosen fields of employment, and are free to do as they please without public scrutiny. |
Lunatiki
Member Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 06-23-2007 01:51 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Scott:
Anyone who thinks these men attend these shows just to meet us is being very naive.
Scott, I doubt any astronaut would attend shows just for the money. I doubt they are in a situation where they would have to do it for just the money. I love the fact that Buzz does make himself available and isn't shy about getting in front of the camera. I see him on the news quite a bit, talk shows, interviews etc and he isn't doing it to promote himself, he is doing it to answer questions and promote space exploration. To imply they don't have class because some charge for their autograph is a bit out of line in my opinion. I recently purchased a signed/inscribed image from Charlie Duke's website. I don't think he charged enough for the treasure I received! I've watched several of the signing videos on Novaspace's website. To watch them sign and tell the stories they do and answer questions while signing show me, at least, there is more to it than just the money. I appreciate all the replies to my original question. A variety of opinions to say the least, but 2 things seem to be in agreement I would bet. That being Armstrong is a great American hero and anyone would love to have his autograph. |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 06-23-2007 05:06 PM
Joel, what I said was I believe that Armstrong shows class by not charging hundreds of dollars for his autograph. Duke, Bean, Mitchell, Gordon, Carpenter and any number of other astronauts do not charge hundreds of dollars for their autograph. I wasn't referring to them - they charge a reasonable amount IMO to make it worth their time and perhaps lessen the number of requests. |
Lunatiki
Member Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 06-23-2007 05:13 PM
Sorry Scott, I misunderstood. I can't say I disagree too much with what you said. When I mentioned to my wife today that I wanted to add John Young to my collection and told her the price, I got a very interesting reaction, I'm sure many of you have experienced from your spouses.  |
mensclub10@aol.com
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 06-25-2007 07:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Lunatiki:
Even if I had the extra money, I still couldn't bring myself to spend $4000.00 on a signed image. Needless to say, it will be the last hole filled in my collection.
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
But why would you pay $4000 for an uninscribed signed image when you can buy an inscribed one for $500 to $750? The inscribed one will always be easier to authenticate because of the extra text and is likely to gain value in future relative to uninscribed examples in part because of this.
I would like to give a few of my ideas about collecting signed Neil Armstrong photos or any other signed photos for that matter.People should collect what they love. Maybe it's a nonpersonalized Armstrong. Maybe it's a personalized Grissom. Maybe it's a personalized Humphrey Bogart. Whatever gives you pleasure in collecting is, after all, the primary reason to collect. Paying $4000.00-$5.000 for a nonpersonalized Armstrong, if you have the disposable funds, and it what makes you feel good, is the most important thing to consider. I know there are many things to consider when buying a nonpersonalized photo and personalization makes it much more easy to authentic. The most important thing to consider is the source of the seller. I purchased a nonpersonalized Armstrong from Kim Poor on AstroAuctions a few years ago. I really wanted one. I already had a personalized one but I wanted a nonpersonalized one and I could afford it at that time. I have his COA which is very important. I love this piece. The fact that it has almost double in value is not the reason why I love it. I just think it's beautiful and it makes me happy. If you don't necessarily care about personalization and you believe (as my dear friend Bob would recommend) then purchase a personalized one. I know that purchasing a nonpersonalized Armstrong goes against the beliefs of many in our group but I made a decision and it brought joy to me. Isn't that the most important thing in collecting. Believe me, if it weren't for a special group of collectors in Cs, I would be at a distinct disadvantage in purchasing my space collectables. They know who they are. I'm always bothering them (ha, ha). At least I hope not and I think they really enjoy sharing with me and others there expertiece. (I don't think I spelled that right?) Is there a spell check when making a post? I go crazy at times! These members help so many people because of the knowledge they have gained through the many years of study and collecting that no words could describe what they do for our hobby. To sum it all up, collect what makes you happy and brings you enjoyment. Seek help in making the right decision when purchasing an item from the resources available! And finally a big thank you to all of our Cs members who are always there for help. It sure makes it a much more a fulfilling experience when I get positive feedback on an item I'm considering for purchase! Dave |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-25-2007 08:19 AM
I didn't think this was quite worth starting its own thread in Buy/Sell/Trade, but in about 14 hours an Armstrong WSS ISP will end on eBay. I hope the current high bidder is not a CS member who will now be mad at me for calling this to the attention of others, but I think it's genuine and the price is currently quite low (although it should be an interesting last few minutes). Since I don't have a great eye for judging handwriting, here's why it looks good to me. First, the seller has listed a number of good-looking 1980s signed entertainment photos, and several of them are inscribed to "Bob Roper", as the Armstrong is. Also, there really is a "former record company executive" in Canada named Bob Roper. (He managed Styx, for you Mr. Roboto fans out there.) It would have been risky for a forger to include that extra handwriting and information. I found his e-mail address and last night asked if he could provide more information, but with such short notice I might not hear back. Anyway, them's the facts. If you want an Armstrong or know someone who does, take a look at the unfortunately small scan- maybe the seller will send you a larger scan if you ask. I got my Armstrong through the mail in 1987- a postcard of the crew standing in front of the Saturn V before launch- so I'm set. 190124541452 Steve |
Lunatiki
Member Posts: 237
From: Amarillo, TX, USA
Registered: Dec 2006
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posted 06-25-2007 12:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
But why would you pay $4000 for an uninscribed signed image when you can buy an inscribed one for $500 to $750?
I could never be 100% happy with an inscribed signed image to someone else. Just my own personal preference. More than likely, to fill the hole in my collection I'll look for a signature on a document that can be matted nicely. But as I said earlier, it will be the last hole to be filled in my collection most likely. Who knows, by that time (a few years away I'm guessing) maybe I can pony up the big bucks for that "holy grail". I'm still stunned at the $9000.00 price the signed book brought at the last R&R auction. Is that some kind of record for an Armstrong signed book?Joel |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-25-2007 02:53 PM
First on the Moon is THE book to have signed by Armstrong and preferably the whole crew. Inscribed examples are far more common than uninscribed, but even an Armstrong inscribed copy will go for around $3-4,000. An inscribed crew copy will go for $6k+. This is only the second uninscribed copy I've seen and, like the debate over lithos, some people will pay a premium for an uninscribed copy. In many respects, due to the relative rarity of these signed books, they will hold and increase their value more than signed lithos.It has always surprised me how undervalued amongst collectors signed books are, considering the relative rarity of eg an Apollo 8 crew-signed book and the historical context of having a signed record of the mission history, often penned by the astros themselves. But that's another thread..... Paul |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 07-02-2007 06:17 AM
A few weeks ago I talked with a Washington Post writer about the issue of Armstrong autograph values. He was writing an article about how to get into autograph collecting, and he came to my house to interview me about how I got into the hobby, what some positive and negative aspects of collecting today are, what some of my favorite items in my collection are, etc. I told him how incredible it is that an Armstrong SP is worth more on the market than documents signed by most presidents and other people who have been deceased for a century. But possibly-insane supply and demand examples are going to pop up in almost any collectibles hobby.He ended up not using the Armstrong information, but I am including a link to the article here because he wouldn't have interviewed me without CollectSPACE. When he started work on the article, he Googled something like "Washington DC autograph collecting" and some posts I have written on this forum came up. He was able to e-mail me that way. The article appeared yesterday in the Source section: Snag a High-Profile Autograph Steve |
Scott
Member Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001
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posted 07-02-2007 07:42 AM
Congratulations, Steve! |
collocation
Member Posts: 383
From: McLean, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 07-02-2007 01:39 PM
I saw the Post article as well and quite frankly it was useless an void of any real guidance on getting autographs. |
mikelarson
Member Posts: 293
From: Port Washington, NY
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 07-02-2007 05:58 PM
Gee, calling the article "useless" is a little harsh. That "useless" article provided more value to collectors than your posting. Mike |
collocation
Member Posts: 383
From: McLean, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 07-02-2007 06:56 PM
Real solid advice, hang around a hotel and hound the person for an autograph, I see this type of stalker behavior all the time the National Air and Space. After an evening with an astronaut or a famous pilot when the "seekers" are hanging around inside and outside hoping against hope that the person will give them an autograph, after it was clearly stated that the person would not be signing autographs. I have even seen a person get hounded as they try to get in their limo. It really gives everyone the wrong impression and may be one of reasons why these guys only sign for money. I really doubt Borman needs the money. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2169
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 07-02-2007 08:27 PM
quote:
Originally posted by collocation:
Real solid advice, hang around a hotel and hound the person for an autograph, I see this type of stalker behavior all the time the National Air and Space.
The article even pointed out (I think more than once) that celebrities are more likely to be accommodating if you are nice and polite and don't pounce on them.Your point is well made, but I don't think the behavior you describe is what the article is advocating. ------------------
John Capobianco
Camden DE | |
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