posted 06-17-2009 01:50 PM               

To ensure that the astronauts are able to meet all customers, they will only sign the books being sold at the event. We reserve the right to limit the number of books signed per person. No personalization, no memorabilia, no posed photos will be allowed.

posted 10-31-2009 08:23 PM               

Buzz came out at 12:45 and talked a bit about Apollo 11 and his life both before and after. Nothing really noteworthy or new, but an enjoyable 45 minutes. He seemed to be in good spirits.

At 1:30, he began signing his book "Magnificent Desolation". This is where my only problem occurred (not at all Buzz's fault). In all the handouts, flyers, and their website, it was announced that all book signings would be held in the "Book Signings Tent". This tent was approximately 8 city blocks from the Paramount Theatre, where Buzz discussed the book. This was apparently standard among all book signers (the Austin Book Festival is a huge event, with dozens of authors, and thousands of attendees). Also, another author went onstage at the Paramount Theatre at 1:30 to discuss her book.

So... I left the theatre as soon as Buzz left the stage, and walked the 8 blocks to the signings tent. Upon getting there, I noticed that Buzz was not listed on the book signing schedule! What's going on here!!

I tracked down a worker, and she informed me that Buzz's (and another author's) signings were being done at the Paramount Theatre, presumably due to the expected crowd size. This is where I raised the point that there was no announcement made of this fact... nothing to indicate that Buzz's signing was any different from any of the other dozens of attending authors. The lady apologized and expressed surprise that there was no announcement made of the signing venue.

So, I proceeded to trek the 8 blocks back to the theatre and got in line. Ultimately, there were only about 15 people behind me (out of perhaps 500 or so). A few others had also made the trek back-and-forth between the theatre and tent. Anyway, the line was moving relatively quickly, and at 2:40, I finally got to Buzz's table.

He was in a very good mood... laughing, smiling, and making small friendly comments to all attendees... especially the kids.

He was only signing Magnificent Desolation; no other books or memorabilia. I saw a few people with photos, Life Magazines and such, and I had also brought my copy of "Voices from the Moon" by Andrew Chaikin, just in case.

posted 01-11-2010 01:33 PM            

To start, I knew nothing about Buzz' attitude toward autographs and such... But I have a special baseball bat that I get "Hall of Fame" types to sign.

On it, I have baseball players Eddie Mathews, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. I later added President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalyn Carter. Still later, I added singer Willie Nelson, who actually signed during his concert (I was on the front row in Columbus, GA.)

We decided that we'd try to get Buzz on the bat. We got to the bookstore early and while looking for a parking spot I saw a black SUV pull up. Buzz hops out of the back along with a lady (turns out to be his wife — and she was/seemed to be the real obstacle to getting him) I shook his hand and told him I was a teacher of 21 years, yada, yada and "Dr. Aldrin, will you please sing my bat"? He looked at me funny and then his wife said "NO, WE don't do memorabilia." As he walked off (they were entering the rear of the book store, so there was zero crowd) he said, "I don't sign baseballs either..."

We didn't give up. I snuck the bat into the show by sticking it down my jeans. I bought seven books and as he signed them I asked about the bat again. He said "I don't play baseball" and I replied "neither did Willie Nelson or President Carter" (it was funny to me!)

Meanwhile, I had been talking to his driver — the husband of the store owner and he said he would see what he could do about getting it signed. As we waited in the parking lot the gentleman (nice guy!) came out and held up FIVE fingers — meaning he'd sign it for $500.00. I said "no" and that was that.

I will say that I was disappointed just because I really work to get HoF'ers on the bat and I knew that was my last crack at Buzz... but all in all it was a thrill to meet the guy and we left with a great story!

posted 04-06-2012 10:25 AM               

And even if he didn't, like all astronauts, he is free to set his own signing policies.

posted 04-06-2012 05:57 PM            

Buzz Aldrin gave a talk at the Royal Festival Hall in London a few years ago and I bought his book which had his signature on a bookplate inside which I was more than pleased with.

posted 04-07-2012 06:56 AM               

What you need to decide is; what is the value of that signed item worth to you? At the last ASF signing we had planned on two Buzz signatures, one on our LM model (and that spot is still open on the LM itself, as Buzz did not make the signing) the other on the "Wonder of it All" poster.

Before we went we counted up our Buzz signed items, we have 16 of them. So was it worth paying the ($400x2)+$100 (3D item) +$50 (mission number) = $950 to add another Buzz signature to our collection. Yes, and for us it was, the LM model discussion is already on this site and the poster had a sentimental value that for us was and is priceless.

We were willing to pay that amount for those items to be signed; it was not just the signature. The last signature we picked up of Buzz was $35 in one of his fictional books. But I could not take that inexpensive signature and place it on our desired items. But what I did do is I turned it into a display for a friend at work for a total of $100 of framing and pictures.

I know it is frustrating to pay a lot of money for something you would really like to have, especially when just four years ago it was less than half the current price. I have no pity for the people that take a dozen of 8x10 WSS shot to have signed for resale; it makes no sense to do that with all of the availability of Buzz's signature out there. To me they are at the event for all the wrong reasons, for them they are okay with it.

posted 04-07-2012 01:21 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Daugherty54:
Considering the signature is of the second man ever to set foot on the moon on the first landing and it's probably a fair price.

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posted 04-07-2012 01:50 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by machbusterman:
Considering his fame was only made possible by the US taxpayer I think its actually pretty distasteful to charge what he does.

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And Aldrin, nor any of his fellow astronauts, sought out their initial fame. Nor was their fame part of their job responsibility for the government. Taxpayers received in spades what they paid for: successful missions.

posted 04-07-2012 02:23 PM               

Paid $600 in 2008 for Aldrin to sign an Apollo model and add Apollo XI LMP Columbia Eagle. It was a bargain. He cheerfully posed for photos with previously signed items like a flown A11 flight plan page.

I may not get another item signed at the current prices but I am grateful for the opportunity to choose.

posted 04-09-2012 12:24 PM               

At an outdoor event (airshow) where autographs were not permitted he maintained his friendly demeanor, calling other astronauts together for a group portrait and posing several times as we in attendance futzed with our cameras. Overall a very positive experience.

posted 11-24-2012 10:14 PM               

Unfortunately, there have been a good number of unprofessional autograph dealers who have used people your age (and younger) to request and obtain free autographs. Their deceitful actions have hurt the hobby, and introduced doubt about the earnest nature behind youthful enthusiasm.

posted 05-11-2013 01:02 PM               

Buzz answered my question on politics and space in the lecture hall and then we proceeded to meet him at the book signing afterwards and he exceeded any expectation I had.

He took the time to talk to us, SHAKE my son's hand vigorously and SMILE for the camera!

My son was so happy and I was elated that we were able to have such a nice encounter.

posted 10-03-2013 01:23 PM               

Question is, aren't these prices a little high considering how many autographs he has out there, and is still signing?

I liquidated my collection, but my wife would like an Aldrin autograph on the NASA official photograph. I sold one a while back on a NASA lithograph (oh oh, my bad).

posted 10-07-2013 08:19 AM               

As for my meeting with Buzz, I have only good things to say about him. I've been to two of his shows and he's signed stuff for me at both shows. He was very nice both to me and my daughter. I've never met him in public. If I did, I'd definitely have enough respect to give him the space he needed. When celebrities are in public, that's still their private time. People who want things from them (conversation, handshake, autograph, photo, etc.) are only setting themselves up for a major disappointment.

posted 10-07-2013 02:53 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by schnappsicle:
In 1981, I ran into Alan Shepard at a fast food restaurant in Houston. I looked at him and he at me. He could tell by the way I was staring at him that I recognized him. Without either of us saying a word, he smiled at me and gave me a wink. That was more than I deserved. I'll treasure that moment forever.

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posted 10-07-2013 05:14 PM               

Last May, I was heading to an interview at Northern Arizona University. My flight arrived into Phoenix late, and as a result, I just missed my connection to Flagstaff — the plane hadn't left yet, but the gate was closed and they wouldn't let anyone else on board.


As I was standing at the check-in desk trying to talk my way onto the plane, this old guy comes up behind me and starts raising hell with the gate clerk, demanding to speak to the pilot, cursing, etc. I turn around to see who's making such a commotion, and see this guy who looks an awful lot like Buzz. After shouting at the guy for a minute or two, he pauses. I look at him and ask, "Are you Buzz Aldrin?" He looks over at me and say, "Yeah I'm Buzz Aldrin, now get that damn pilot on the phone...!"

Anyway, long story short, Buzz and I ended up renting a car together and I spent the next two hours driving him up to Flagstaff (where he was attending the IAA Planetary Defense Conference). On the drive up talked about lots of things: Mars missions, SpaceX, politics, and diving. I didn't have the nerve to ask him anything about Apollo XI or his experience on the moon mission, but he wasn't shy about giving his opinion on the current space program! A few times during the drive, I glanced out my driver's side window at the almost-full moon above the horizon. Then I'd glance over at the man who sitting next to me — amazed that I had ended up here, driving one of the very first moonwalkers through the Arizona night. An amazing evening indeed.

Once we got to Flagstaff and dealt with the rental car, he gave me his business card and some contact information. As he handed it to me, I saw that it was a very cool Apollo XI card with the mission emblem and a little astronaut logo. I couldn't resist asking him to sign it for me (which he did). At the time I didn't know he was such a reluctant public signer — probably never would have asked otherwise.