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Author
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Topic: Signing history and experience: Buzz Aldrin
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David Bryant
Member Posts: 896
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 02-27-2009 10:47 AM
   
The high fees asked by the better known astronauts seems to have put a lot of people off attending UK shows like Autographica: this in turn makes it harder for the two organisers to persuade elderly men to make the trip across here for a poor pay-day. This year is, of course, IYA as well as the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11. Who're attending Autographica? Helen Sharman and Rick Searfoss... Both interesting in their own ways, but neither has the cachet necessary to fill the venue for two days.Yes: I do have a vested interest: it costs a lot for 'The Space Station' to attend these high-profile shows, and, like the other full-time dealers, we need a good crowd to break even. (And no: I don't queue up with a pile of photos for signing: I don't sell autographs, other than signed books!) Like a previous poster, I'm really glad I got to meet my heroes when they were still prepared to come over here: and kudos to Charlie Duke for his inspirational day with the kids of Norfolk! |
music_space
Member Posts: 1050
From: Canada
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 03-13-2009 07:32 AM
The two items Buzz got to sign for me he did for free, while I met him prior to the Christie's auction in 2001. He signed "Return", and also his famous A11 standing picture right in the auction catalog. A fine memory, and a fine memento! |
flight_plan
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posted 04-29-2009 10:10 AM
Buzz Aldrin signed "Reaching for the Moon" book at Books of Wonder in New York in 2005 and the shop sold them on eBay at £8 each plus P&P, saying they were not going to make a profit on them. For Buzz to allow them to do that or even if he charged a lot and they sold at a loss sound pretty good to me. Trouble is these books fetch very little at re-auction and I cant see why? |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3588
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 04-29-2009 02:10 PM
quote:
Originally posted by flight_plan:
Trouble is these books fetch very little at re-auction and I cant see why?
Buzz signed many copies of this book when it was released in 2005...most often freely (or at least for nothing extra beyond the price of the book itself). So signed copies of the book are not particularly rare. Also, I think the fact that it's a children's book somewhat reduces it's collectability among adults. Most adult collectors would prefer a signed copy of one of his two autobiographies (or three, if you count the one that is soon-to-be-released). I generally see these books selling for about $60 on the market today...a fair bit better than the $16 they often sold for in 2005. Also, I would argue that Buzz's current signing fee of $350-600+ is not indicative of the value of his signature on the secondary market. Value is most often determined by the desirability of the item that has been signed. Buzz-signed books usually seem to fare rather poorly against signed photos, for instance. |
flight_plan
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posted 04-29-2009 02:59 PM
I do have a copy but a handshake with these men would mean more to me, but that's just my opinion. I suppose if you add up all the autographs Buzz has done over the last 40 years plus, I wonder how rare his actually is? If he asked me to pay £200 and I felt like I was on a conveyor belt, I would not enjoy parting with that sort of money. I quite like Armstrong's take on it. He was just doing a job, nothing more or less (great though it was) and so why sign anything. He could be/is rich without ever signing anything and so could/is Buzz. They all made out how hard up they were as astronauts but the wage and perks they were paid in the 60's was fantastic compared to what my dad was earning as a skilled man. Some of them just seem a tad greedy or making up for so called lost time. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3588
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 04-29-2009 07:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by flight_plan:
I suppose if you add up all the autographs Buzz has done over the last 40 years plus, I wonder how rare his actually is?
Not rare at all. But then again, neither is Neil Armstrong's autograph. The value we attach to these autographs on the marketplace is more a matter of supply and demand, not a judgement of rarity. Neil signed lots of stuff over the years...literally thousands of items...but there are thousands of people who also want his autograph. Hence the large supply of his autograph is eclipsed by the even larger demand. quote:
Originally posted by flight_plan:
If he asked me to pay £200 and I felt like I was on a conveyor belt, I would not enjoy parting with that sort of money.
Sadly, I have been to two autograph shows and that's kind of how it goes with certain guests. But most guests are generous with their time and are happy to chat and pose for a photo. Also, most autograph shows offer events like banquets and receptions that allow you to meet the astronauts without paying for a signature. You often get more face-to-face time at these sorts of events than you do at a signing. If you do attend a signing, you often get a better interaction with a guest when you get your item signed after the line has gotten much shorter. If the line is long, the guest and their handler are more likely to try to keep things moving quickly. |
Gary
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posted 05-04-2009 09:05 AM
Buzz Aldrin signed some moon surface lithos for me while he was here in Cape Canaveral this weekend for the Hall of Fame Inductions. I was thrilled to add these lithos to my personal collection. He was a gentleman and very professional and I appreciate the time he took to do this for me it was an honor. I was fortunate to obtain signatures for other lithos from Vance Brand, Hoot Gibson, George Pinky Nelson and Charlie Duke. |
martinbiddulph
Member Posts: 55
From: uk
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 05-17-2009 03:49 PM
Where were you when you managed to get Buzz Aldrin to sign for you? I had my photo taken with him which was great, but as he is known not to sign for anyone and I had already heard him refuse some other requests I didn't ask! You sound as if you got him to sign more than one!? Unbelievable! |
Gary
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posted 06-02-2009 01:53 PM
quote:
Originally posted by martinbiddulph:
Where were you when you managed to get Buzz Aldrin to sign for you?
During the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo launches my father worked with the astronauts. When I showed Buzz an early black and white NASA photo of my father receiving an award he recognized him immediately. At that point he was very generous and polite to sign my memorabilia. In the past this has also gotten me autographs from John Young. I am very grateful when they sign my items. |
AJ
Member Posts: 501
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted 06-02-2009 04:34 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gary:
During the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo launches my father worked with the astronauts.
Not to go too off topic, but your dad must have some great stories!I think it's really nice that Buzz has been so generous. I think sometimes we get caught up in the craziness of signings and fees that we forget the people at the heart of it all. |
Gary
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posted 06-03-2009 11:49 AM
quote:
Originally posted by AJ:
Not to go too off topic, but your dad must have some great stories!
The NASA team members that placed the astronauts on the moon are some of the most amazing and talented people around. Through out my life I have met many of them and they are remarkable. My father worked with the early astronauts and would travel around the US with them. He could tell you which ones were great to be with and some who were not very likeable. He would often have dinner with them on these trips. On the rare occassions when I ask for a astronaut's signature I always make it clear that this is for my personal collection to pass on to my children and not for Ebay. When Buzz signed my lithos it was more for appreciation than business and he was very relaxed and personable. I believe this is why he signed all that I had. Some astronauts still remember the folks that worked hard to get them safely home. |
pxs120
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posted 06-17-2009 11:42 AM
Has anyone tried getting Buzz to sign other items like a photo at one of his book signings? If I were to go through his line with one of his books in hand and ask for my signature on a photograph instead of my book, would he do that? |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 362
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 06-17-2009 12:31 PM
quote:
Originally posted by pxs120:
If I were to go through his line with one of his books in hand and ask for my signature on a photograph instead of my book, would he do that?
I doubt it. With the crowds that Buzz is likely to draw, if people started bringing other things to sign (even copies of other books by Buzz), it would be chaos. Very few book signings I have been to allow you to have anything other than the book on sale signed. On top of that, you'd essentially be getting Buzz's signature on your photo for the price of the book, and given his fees at signings that's not going to happen.I would check with the venue where he's appearing, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the signing limited to his book, with no other memorabilia allowed, nor posed photos. |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1482
From: Brimfield, MA
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 06-17-2009 12:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by pxs120:
Has anyone tried getting Buzz to sign other items like a photo at one of his book signings?
Negative... he will not do it. I went to a book signing and asked him to sign my pilot log book and he was very apologetic that he couldn't do it at a book signing, but he would not and could not sign it.He signed his book and then graciously agreed to a picture with him which I cherish as much as the autograph I was hoping to get but didn't in my log book. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1468
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 06-17-2009 01:50 PM
The NASM website for their event is very clear: 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. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 362
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 08-27-2009 12:00 PM
Astro Auction has an interesting item. It's a dutch auction for photos signed only "Buzz." I wonder if these are more or less desirable due to unusual nature of the signature. Also, if you were to bring one of these to a show would Buzz charge you only half the signing fee to add his last name? Or would a 'completion fee' be applied? (These questions are slightly tongue-in-cheek, but they did pop up when I saw this auction). |
Wehaveliftoff
Member Posts: 728
From:
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-31-2009 03:31 PM
Was anyone at the Daytime Emmy's Sunday night, August 31? Odd that they twice showed Buzz Aldrin in the audience at the Emmy show? Odd?! Anyone there get an autograph, since he was out of his element I'd imagine he did just that... |
emeryshores
Member Posts: 11
From: New York, NY
Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 10-10-2009 09:43 PM
Submission removed by user. |
jabon
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posted 10-12-2009 07:27 AM
I too made the trip from Chattanooga on Saturday. They sold out of his "Magnificent Desolation" for signing. I brought my Easton Press "First on the Moon" which he at first hesitated to sign. To see the newspaper account of Buzz's visit: Nashville book fest joins a boy and his hero, Buzz Aldrin.
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SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 327
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 10-31-2009 08:23 PM
I drove up to Austin TX (about 65 miles) today to attend Buzz Aldrin's discussion and book signing at the annual Texas Book Festival, held inside, and on the grounds and immediate vicinity of the State Capital Building.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. All-in-all, it was a good couple of hours. And I even got some extra exercise! |
Philip
Member Posts: 4754
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-04-2010 11:02 AM
So that's an example of Buzz Aldrin signing without asking any fee, you just had to buy the book? |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1041
From: Tucson, AZ USA
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 01-04-2010 11:58 AM
Buzz, like every other author on a book tour (usually expenses paid by the publisher) signs their current book free.
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Philip
Member Posts: 4754
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-08-2010 09:06 AM
Thanks for the confirmation, that explains why there are so many signed copies of the "Magnificent Desolation" book out there on eBay... |
DickDasturdly
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posted 01-11-2010 01:33 PM
I went to "An Evening With Buzz," a book signing in Atlanta this past fall.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 7 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! AND I had one of the autographs framed and matted with the ticket to the signing and the famous 8'x10" visor shot. It is very cool. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3588
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-11-2010 09:42 PM
Welcome to collectSPACE, Dick! It's not a surprise to most space collectors that Buzz said "no" to your request. Generally, Buzz will only sign memorabilia at a dedicated memorabilia signing (like Spacefest or the ASF autograph show) or a mail-in signing...and only for a fee (that generally ranges from $350-600 or more). Besides money reasons, he likely refuses to sign memorabilia at book signings because everyone else in the audience will also expect their memorabilia to be signed for free. Plus, since the book tour is paid for by the publisher, it is expected that Buzz will sign as many books as possible in the limited amount of time he has...in order to make as many sales of the book as possible for the publisher. However, I encourage you to obtain other signatures for your bat that will give you enjoyment. If you want an early astronaut to sign your bat for free, John Glenn is one of the last early astronauts who still signs for free. But he's also one of the greatest, so his signature is definitely "hall of fame" material. Good luck with getting future signatures! |
Playalinda
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posted 01-11-2010 11:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by DickDasturdly:
I snuck the bat into the show by sticking it down my jeans.
Unbelievable. The bookstore manager should have escorted him to the store entrance. How can you even ask Buzz to sign a bat at a book signing for free? A book signing is for books and nothing else. Period. I am a bit sad that Buzz would have signed it anyway, after being asked by the VIPs, for big bucks against his first expressed NO. Also does anybody realize that our space heroes can be easily encountered and could be attacked by some creep. I mean Dick is a teacher and his bat was only with him to be signed but other people may have other ugly things on their mind. Bart Sibrel (I believe that was his name) once approached Buzz and thanks goodness Buzz used his fist to make his position clear. Bart does not understand other language. |
JasonIUP
Member Posts: 157
From: PA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted 01-12-2010 12:14 AM
Linda - You should watch me at a book signing with my baseballs and photos, especially for Jimmy Carter. It's a sight! I congratulate Dick for trying because, as Wayne Gretzky once said, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take. |
lm5eagle
Member Posts: 386
From:
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 01-12-2010 01:52 AM
Dick, This was labelled 'An Evening With Buzz," a book signing '. You really should have adhered to the rules and expected a signed book only. If you desparately wanted to have your bat signed, you should have been prepared to do what we space enthusiasts have been doing for years now - pay the appropriate fee on the appropriate occasion.. You should have been escorted out of the building for your reprehensible antics. |
DickDasturdly
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posted 01-12-2010 09:05 AM
Thanks for the welcome, Im5eagle! Reprehensible antics?In my defense, I had ZERO knowledge of how a book signing goes.Our encounter prior to his entrance was purely coincidental. My first knowledge AT ALL of the workings of obtaining astronaut autographs has been what I've read on this site. My expertise has been in sports. Tough crowd!
I agree with you Linda...the lady with me and I have had several discussions about how "easy" it would have been to do something bad. Tighter security, as opposed to "no" security would be nice. I did enjoy the first 3/4's of the book...the rest, ehhh. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 362
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 01-12-2010 09:06 AM
quote:
Originally posted by DickDasturdly:
I snuck the bat into the show by sticking it down my jeans.
As a practical matter, how do you walk with a bat in your jeans? I would almost say, based on the username and the story, that someone is trying to get a rise out of this forum. But I could be wrong... |
DickDasturdly
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posted 01-12-2010 09:25 AM
Not at all looking for a rise, xlsteve! (no pun intended)  I'm glad that I found this site. It will help me stamp out some of my own ignorance at how the game is played with these guys. I use the handle "DD" on a few boards (sports etc.) I got it from the old cartoon character... (reprehensible, huh?) Every word is true... maybe sad to some, but true. Carpenter jeans... they are little more roomy. I didn't say comfortable, but roomy! *BTW: I got the bat to Willie the same way. Anyway, break is over so I have to teach some Psychology and Econ! Have a good one! |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3008
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-12-2010 03:27 PM
Did Buzz ask if you were "pleased to see him"?  |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 01-12-2010 07:04 PM
Steve Hankow at FarthestReaches.com will have a private signing with Col. Aldrin in early February. Contact him and ask how much he would charge to sign a bat. He might be more inclined to sign it because this is a signing event for memorabilia, including 3D items. I'm not sure if he signs non-related space items such as baseball bats or balls. Just ask Steve. However, his base signing fee is $350. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3588
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted 01-12-2010 11:17 PM
Buzz's fee for 3D items started at $450 for his signings in 2009. He also asked $750 for signing baseballs at Spacefest (because he apparently really hates signing baseballs). It sounds like Buzz's fees for the Farthest Reaches signing will be no different than other events, but one should contact Steve to be certain.If someone wants Buzz to sign a ball or bat, they should either have a lot of money to spend or have a deep burning desire to obtain that signature. Otherwise, I believe it's simply not worth it. |
DickDasturdly
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posted 01-13-2010 10:55 AM
I agree. It's just not worth it. I've never paid for an autograph (never had the need to) until I bought the latest Buzz books... By the way, I kept three and gave the rest to my family as wonderful Christmas gifts. My cousin is an F-16 (and Delta 737) pilot with a deep interest in the astronauts and he almost passed out when he got a signed edition.
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Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 2389
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 03-18-2011 01:50 PM
I'd be interested to hear other members experiences at signing events attended by Buzz Aldrin. In particular, does he have an issue signing Edwin E. Aldrin as opposed to Buzz?Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Spacefest
Member Posts: 1041
From: Tucson, AZ USA
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 03-18-2011 01:50 PM
Yes. He legally changed his name to Buzz. We've learned not to even ask."Buzz, would you sign this as Edwin Aldrin, second man on the moon"? Duck! |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 896
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 03-18-2011 01:51 PM
Hasn't he changed his name legally to Buzz? If so, I'd be most surprised if he were ever to sign his 'old' name! |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 2389
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 03-18-2011 02:41 PM
Thanks for the feedback guys. Much appreciated. It is a shame he will no longer sign Edwin E. particularly as that is how he "signed" the plaque left on the moon... Such a signature would be historically more relevant. |
JasonB
Member Posts: 630
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 05-20-2011 12:56 PM
Can anyone verify that Aldrin signs theough the mail for a fee? Wouldnt want to send money into a dead address and lose it. |
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