Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014

posted 03-06-2014 01:20 PM            

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While I wish I had the funds to collect a lot of space memorabilia, I don't. (Maybe some day I'll get that Alan Shepard autograph...) So, are there astronauts who will sign pics for free?

What's a good way to start collecting such things?

Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 03-06-2014 01:21 PM               

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"Free" is nice (and also rare these days). You can however creatively build a nice collection for somewhat low cost.

I was pretty young when I started collecting this material and didn't have a whole lot to spend on autographs. That fact led me to books. Many books were/are signed for nothing more than cover price, such as Shepard's "Moon Shot," and it would afford you a great opportunity to get a legitimate signature of his. Today cover price for that book might be difficult but $50-70 would get you an authentic signature of his (while a photo might be $200-500).

Posts: 1642
From: Olympia, WA
Registered: Sep 2011

posted 03-06-2014 01:22 PM               

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John Glenn signs for free, especially if you want it signed to someone specific.

I printed a digital photo of him in his ACES suit for his shuttle mission, mailed it and got it back in less than a month. For the photo, mailing and everything, I got the autograph for less than $15 total.

I'm not a big autograph collector and would never pay top dollar for anyone's autograph (I have a few, but with the exception of Glenn, they're all astronauts I've talked with personally), but I couldn't pass on that opportunity...

Posts: 959
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012

posted 03-06-2014 03:29 PM               

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quote:

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Originally posted by sprocketship:
While I wish I had the funds to collect a lot of space memorabilia, I don't.

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I can sympathize with you. Although, this forum can be searched for ways to obtain "free" autographs. For starters, there's information in this forum to obtain ESA, Canadian Space Agency, and other current/former NASA astronauts' autographs.

The other thing is to check out various autographing sessions or events where current and former astronauts are invited to. Although, those may be pricey if you want to make travel arrangements out of the local area.

Posts: 594
From: Orting, WA
Registered: May 2000

Posts: 3445
From: Toms River, NJ
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 03-06-2014 08:22 PM               

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"Free" is all relative of course. For me, US round-trip postage plus a photo getting printed usually is about $8 total.

Not sure where you are, but if you go to KSC, they have an astronaut talking every day. That astronaut will sign one of your items for free, plus you can buy photos from them to get autographed.

And yes, check local venues for astronauts making keynote speeches or other appearances. You may have to pay to get into said venue (as with KSC.)

Posts: 591
From: Cabot, Arkansas, USA
Registered: Sep 2010

Posts: 355
From: Andover, MN
Registered: Dec 2013

posted 03-06-2014 10:05 PM               

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I'm in the same boat. I'd love love be able to collect astronaut autographs, but spending a lot really isn't in my budget. I have been given some advice in other areas on this site, and have a few now at little to no cost. The Canadian Space Agency sent me a signed photo of Chris Hadfield from just a polite email request. I have a John Glenn personalized photo that I sent him with return postage a few years ago. Just a couple weeks ago, I received back a copy of Gene Cernan's book that he personalized. That wasn't "free" in the sense of no cost, because I had to buy the book and the postage for it to send both ways, but still, for less than $50, I have a personally inscribed book from the last man on the moon. Pretty cool, in my book.

Also, some of the early NASA personnel still sign for free. You won't necessarily find their addresses on this site, but they area available elsewhere online. Eugene Kranz recently signed a photo I sent him, and just today, I sent a photo to Chris Kraft and am hopeful he will send it back signed.

As I've seen elsewhere on here, please be polite and respectful in all transactions, include a SASE with your request, and don't send too many items (1 or 2, perhaps).

Best of luck, and please share any successes you have!

Posts: 72
From:
Registered: Feb 2014

posted 03-23-2014 10:24 PM            

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Had my first success this weekend. While wandering around our local used media store, I stumbled upon an autographed copy of John Glenn's memoirs for only $10.

Not bad considering that last week I mailed a pair of photos to the Senator in hopes that he will have another signing session in the future. Cost more than $10, that did!

Maybe someday I'll find that Alan Shepard...