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Author
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Topic: Your bargain space autograph of the year?
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machbusterman
Member Posts: 1644
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted October 11, 2008 03:47 AM
   
What was your bargain space-related autograph acquired this year?Mine is the one below of famed aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran pictured with the F-104. On June 1, 1961, Jacqueline Cochran flying the Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, claimed her third jet speed record in less than a month when she flew the difficult Edwards 100 Kilometer circular course at 1,303.241 mph, bettering the existing women's record of 1,266 mph held by the well-known French Aviatrix Jacqueline Auriol. Miss Cochran's first record flight in series was made on May 11 over a 15-kilometer straightaway course in which she attained a speed of 1,429.297 mph. This speed was over 155 mph faster than her own previous record and the fastest speed ever attained by a woman pilot. The third record she claimed was the 500-kilometer record with a speed of 1,127.394 mph.  Jackie Cochran's signature is pretty rare full-stop but on a signed photo is even harder to come by so to find one under $27 was just incredible. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 2397
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted October 11, 2008 07:14 AM
I don't really go for many autographs these days but I did acquire a great set of covers the other day that I've added to the Miscellaneous Items section of my AstroGallery mini-site.These were covers signed in early 1967 by Group 5 astronauts as they went in pairs to the Ellyson Field Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida for two weeks of helicopter training. This was intended to familiarize them with the behaviour of the LEM. The covers are signed by: - Brand and Haise
- Mitchell and Worden
- Givens and Mattingly
- Duke and Irwin
- and the last one by Roosa (an Autopen)
The Ed Givens cover is postmarked just two months before his tragic accident. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3492
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted October 11, 2008 11:10 AM
Derek got a true rarity for an outstanding price! I'll take that over a Yeager signature any day of the week. |
SpaceSteve
Member Posts: 314
From: San Antonio TX, USA
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted October 11, 2008 02:47 PM
Here's my Jacqueline Cochran photo. I picked it up in 2003 for $130... still a good deal in my opinion. 
 |
Mike Dixon
Member Posts: 695
From: Kew, Victoria, Australia
Registered: May 2003
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posted October 11, 2008 04:44 PM
Thanks to a cSer who took delivery on my behalf as the eBay seller wouldn't ship to Australia, a complete hand signed and undedicated STS-41C... a $12 "buy it now" steal. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 2209
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted October 13, 2008 02:20 PM
Bargain autographs of the year would have to be the two super signed items from Fred Haise during his visit to Pontefract last week.Not only because they were free but because of the spirit in which they were given... Top man Fred! |
albatron
Member Posts: 1993
From: Stuart, Florida, USA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted October 14, 2008 03:22 PM
In keeping with the theme of the post, and XP-86 discussion, here is my bargain autograph. It's the first one in this album.  Ken Chilstrom's kneeboard from his XP-86 test flights. Free for nothing, he gave it to me (along with some other stuff) just before he moved. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 398
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted October 17, 2008 12:15 AM
Three eBay items: - $0.99 Space Pioneers Patch signed by Alan Bean 170270258780
- $10.50 Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper autographed Space Pioneers Patch
170270263196 - Wernher Von Braun autographed Book dated March 3rd 1967 History of Rocketry and Space Travel 1967 - Very Rare! This was overpriced at $203.52
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Rob Sumowski
Member Posts: 461
From: Macon, Georgia
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted October 17, 2008 08:44 PM
Collins signed 1st Edition of Carrying the Fire. $3 at the local Friends of the Library used book sale. |
machbusterman
Member Posts: 1644
From: Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland
Registered: May 2004
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posted October 18, 2008 02:55 AM
That one takes some beating Rob!! |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1311
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted October 18, 2008 11:28 AM
My last great find was a Mike Collins signed copy of Mission to Mars for a similar $3 from a small bookstore. That was over a year ago though and may not qualify here... but I still cherish the deal! |
generallou
Member Posts: 114
From: T H, Indiana
Registered: Jun 2005
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posted May 16, 2009 06:09 PM
My newest bargain was the book I got this morning a signed first edition of Jerry Linenger "Off The Planet". I couldn't believe it for just $0.60! It pays to go to those library book sales! |
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 702
From: Monaghan Town, Co. Monaghan, Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted May 16, 2009 06:34 PM
Probably the best bargain I ever got were the following 7 covers for a total of $250 which I think was a bargain! - Apollo 16 cover signed by Duke
- Apollo 14 cover signed by Shepard
and Mitchell
- Apollo 9 cover signed by McDivitt and Schweickart
- Gemini 11 crew signed cover signed by Conrad and Gordon
- Skylab cover signed by Bean
- Apollo 15 cover signed by Worden
- Apollo 11 cover signed by 3 Capcoms (Duke, Worden and Ron Evans)
This is a great thread -- more people should contribute -- I'm interested in hearing your bargains! |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 398
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted May 16, 2009 08:19 PM
- A signed Alexey Leonov with very bold inscription: "To Igor Alexanderovich Smelgin with deep respect and many thanks! Leonov. March 24, 1972" - $23.99
- For $2.99 including shipping, a James Lovell signed photo congratulating shipyard workers on the launch off the USS American Astronaut. I can find no record of this ship on Google. Any advice or info is welcome.
- For FREE, at a 2001 Space conference, Buzz Aldrin signed three items including one which was signed by Armstrong. Buzz added Apollo 11 LMP. Gemini 12 EVA.
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stsmithva
Member Posts: 1165
From: Centreville, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted May 16, 2009 08:28 PM
David, what is the exact wording on the Lovell photo? Maybe he was making a play on words- that they were somehow making a contribution to the space program, and had therefore helped launch American astronauts into space. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 398
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted May 17, 2009 12:13 AM
I will have to look for the photo for the exact words but the photo showed the ship with the name "American Astronaut" on it. It looked like a NASA tracking ship but I could not find any record of a ship with the name "American Astronaut". It is a puzzle. |
the_tartanterror
New Member Posts:
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posted June 29, 2009 07:38 PM
My bargain cost me a bottle of whisky! Its a one of a kind multi-signed Mig cover, signed by the top Mig test pilots of the day, most of whom are now deceased. |
contra
Member Posts: 295
From: Kiel, Germany
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted November 25, 2009 04:38 AM
My bargain autograph was the Conrad signed photo shown below. It is my second copy of this photo and for the first one a paid around $400. Last time I saw it on an auction it went for around $1000 if I remember correctly. I got it for $215 this time. Top bargain I think. |
Paul23
Member Posts: 729
From: South East, UK
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted November 25, 2009 06:28 AM
Thanks to a thread on this site I got an Isle of Man postal cover celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Apollo 11 signed by Al Bean for £20. The stamps on the cover were all his artwork so was quite a nice piece for the money, especially as it came from a Government type source. That said in bargain terms compared to some of the prices people have paid for things it doesn't seem as cheap now! |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1306
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted November 25, 2009 09:25 AM
Not autographed but my favorite inexpensive mementos are the launch placards you get from KSC. These are mounted in my garage so I see them when pulling up after work. They're a good way to remember how lucky I am after a hard day at work. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 1289
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted November 25, 2009 10:18 AM
Not recently, but only a few years ago - Charlie Duke (two for £10 each, in person) and Buzz Aldrin (two for £10 each in person at a book signing in the UK) |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1387
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted November 25, 2009 11:46 AM
I'm the current holder of the much-traded "Buzz Aldrin signing warm-up" scrap of paper, that his daughter is reported to have pulled from a trashcan before Buzz began a signing in 1969.If you used Buzz's current charge for his autograph, these 7 signatures would cost you $2450. I bought the piece for significantly less than that!!  |
kosmo
Member Posts: 158
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted November 26, 2009 09:37 AM
I'm pretty happy with a just recently acquired vintage signed litho of John Glenn, plus a Friendship 7 booklet and letter, all for $60. To me the signed photo of John Glenn alone is worth that! |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 398
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted November 26, 2009 01:05 PM
The bargain autograph was Mr John Glenn, who still signs through the mail. He graciously signed a portrait by David K. Stone. Artwork Year: 1980
Image Size: 21.75 by 18 inches
Overall Size: 25.625 by 22.625 inches
Medium: Oil on Masonite Mr. Glenn wrote: "John Glenn Friendship 7, STS-95" along the bottom margin of the painting. An inspiring painting of a true American hero and patriot. The total cost was $70 there and back via insured Priority mail for the very large package via the US Post Office. The turn around time was less than three weeks. |
Daugherty
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted December 10, 2009 08:19 PM
Although not especially rare I sent Fred Haise of Apollo 13 2-8x10s of his ALT 1 crew and the return of Apollo 13 (with the three open chutes in the gray sky). He returned both signed with very gracious inscriptions PLUS included a vintage WSS photo of himself - all for free! |
AJ
Member Posts: 462
From: Plattsburgh, NY, United States
Registered: Feb 2009
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posted December 11, 2009 11:05 AM
Earlier this year, I purchased a really neat item from farthestreaches.com: Walt Cunningham's 1960's Rollei 35 camera. Aside from being a neat collectible, it's also a great working camera. I showed it to Walt at the ASF show and he was delighted to see it again, so much so that he teased that he might slip it into his pocket and take it home! Awesomely, walt offered to and did indeed sign the back of the leather camera case, in silver sharpie, for free. It looks great and the fun I had chatting with Walt and Dot was the best part. |
mjanovec
Member Posts: 3492
From: Midwest, USA
Registered: Jul 2005
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posted December 12, 2009 07:29 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Daugherty:
He returned both signed with very gracious inscriptions PLUS included a vintage WSS photo of himself - all for free!
Congratulations on your success. However, you may wish to keep these types of successes off of public forums, because the end result is that the astronaut's mailbox suddenly gets swamped with new requests...something that they probably didn't want to happen when they signed for you.I realize you may not have known that, since you're new here. Just keep that in mind in the future...for the sake of the astronaut. Again, congratulations on your success! |
Daugherty
New Member Posts:
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Registered:
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posted December 14, 2009 07:00 PM
quote:
Originally posted by mjanovec:
Congratulations on your success. However, you may wish to keep these types of successes off of public forums, because the end result is that the astronaut's mailbox suddenly gets swamped with new requests...
You are right and I apologize. |
PerryM
Member Posts: 68
From: Temple, TX USA
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted January 02, 2010 02:40 PM
My best autograph came with two Alan Bean prints. I had been looking for several months for one of the prints and found a gallery selling it. The gallery informed me the sell could not find it but he would call Alan and see what he could do. Calling me back shortly he said that he could get the print directly from Alan. There was an other print I liked as well. They were both artist proofs one was 1/60 and the information cards had been signed by Alan with the date 12/25/2009. On top of that they were sent directly to me from Alan's home in Houston. Alan had even filled out the shipping slip. You can't get much better than that. |
Philip
Member Posts: 4626
From: Brussels, BELGIUM
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted January 04, 2010 10:33 AM
Well, although we know Buzz Aldrin's fees for autographing and completing items, one can find signed copies of his books for children "Look to the Stars" and "Reaching for the Moon" for about US $50. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3082
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted February 12, 2010 04:16 PM
The much-revered Wahrenbrocks second-hand bookstore has finally closed in San Diego, and they are clearing out their three floors of books. Every hardback is a dollar, and people are purchasing boxes and boxes. I went down at lunchtime, and for $1 picked up a lengthily inscribed hardback copy of Jim Irwin's "To Rule The Night." |
JasonB
Member Posts: 459
From:
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted December 19, 2011 12:49 PM
I enjoyed reading this thread which I just found on here. Anyone else have great bargains they found this year?I got a Shepard on the Moon litho also signed by Mitchell and unpersonalized for $171. I also picked up an unpersonalized Shepard WSS litho for $85. Those are probably my two for the year. |
Hart Sastrowardoyo
Member Posts: 1748
From: Toms River, NJ,USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted December 19, 2011 01:02 PM
Charles Brady on a 11x14 shuttle landing (not of STS-78) photo, signed on the 16x20 mat: $25. |
crash
Member Posts: 151
From: West Sussex, England
Registered: Jan 2011
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posted December 19, 2011 04:37 PM
I purchased a second-hand copy of Schirra's Space for $5 and was mighty pleased when it turned up. First edition and nicely signed by Wally Schirra himself. |
garyd2831
Member Posts: 238
From: Syracuse, New York, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted December 19, 2011 05:05 PM
My bargain is more of a gift. A good friend of mine sent me the other day a Christmas card and in that card was an index card size copy of the Space Treaty signed by the entire Apollo 8 crew (yes, even Anders who wrote Apollo 8 under his signature)...that was a bargain if there ever was one! |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 746
From: Birmingham AL USA
Registered: Aug 2010
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posted December 19, 2011 05:12 PM
A 1st/1st beautiful copy of Return to the Moon signed by Harrison Schmitt for $10. The Fastest Man Alive signed by Frank Everest for $7.50 A Neil Armstrong WSS inscribed for $452. signature verified by several on this forum. |
astrobock
Member Posts: 51
From: WV, USA
Registered: Sep 2006
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posted December 19, 2011 07:43 PM
At a recent estate auction I purchased a paper bag of historical (my church) documentation for $20. I didn't know until I got home that in the bottom of that bag was also a signed copy of Al Worden's book Hello Earth! That was a really nice surprise. |
413 is in
Member Posts: 359
From: Alexandria, VA USA
Registered: May 2006
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posted December 19, 2011 11:53 PM
I purchased a signed copy of Bill Pogue's celestial mechanics textbook that he used while in grad school in 1959. Upon receiving the item, I was pleasantly surprised to find a double-sided page of his original class notes tucked away in the back of the book. A nice freebie for sure!  |
MikeSpace
unregistered
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posted December 20, 2011 01:07 AM
Long story short: I literally ran out of money at the ASF AAMS. I had some pieces I really wanted Alan Bean to sign, so I mailed him an intro letter with the story, and could he sign the items, at his fee, if I mailed them.Two days later a voicemail from Alan Bean saying go ahead and mail the stuff in, and include the pen. I mail the items, one a NASA Meatball beta already signed by eight Apollo era astronauts, with a personal check. I'd read horror stories of lost signed items in the mail [not Bean], but said what the heck... Six days later, items returned signed in my mailbox. He didn't even wait for the check to clear. Paid full price, but to get the items back, and that quick, and a voicemail from Alan Bean? A huge bargain for me. |
liftoff1
Member Posts: 174
From: cumberland, wisconsin
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted December 20, 2011 07:31 AM
Found this for $15.25... |
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