posted 09-29-2000 07:40 PM               

Thank you in advance,
Lynn

posted 09-29-2000 09:30 PM               

Donnis Willis is a fine collector/dealer and if you get an autograph from him, you can be sure that it is authentic.

The next question is one that you have to ask yourself; will you be happy with having the autographs of those astronauts in book form? Donnis also sells photographs and I am pretty sure that he would probably have photographs signed by those astronauts. If you are doing this with the idea of trying to trade this book at some later date for photographs of those astronauts, you might have trouble doing that trade. If, on the other hand, you like the book and feel that the astronaut autographs add to the book, go ahead and pick it up. A lot of people collect autographed books.

Bottom line is that at the end of the day, you have to collect what you like and would be willing to keep for your collection. There is no guarantee that you will be able to trade the book, or even the photos, at a later date. Make sure you buy what makes you happy.

Good luck with the collecting!

posted 09-29-2000 09:52 PM               

Actually, I do like signed books more than photos regardless of the collector value; I really never have considered myself a 'collector' (though I guess I am...never really thought about it that way until seeing this website!, I just knew I enjoyed having these items), and really am not so interested in future financial value so long as I am not paying some ridiculously inflated price. As long as the signatures are real, and the price is fair market value, I would enjoy having the book.

- Lynn

(FYI - the price is $125.00; I was about to purchase the signed Alan Bean book 'Apollo An Eyewitness Account' at $85.00 when I came across this and got sidetracked)

posted 09-30-2000 12:21 PM               

Given your interest, you might also wish to look at the store connected with the Astronaut Hall of Fame (which, I believe, you can also access through space.com). They have an autographed book section which might be of interest.

posted 10-01-2000 01:56 PM               

I would prefer The Alan Bean book not be signed on a bookplate, since the others are so readily available right now; I will probably call the Space Shop and check on that aspect. Thanks for the heads-up.

I would be satisfied with the bookplate version of 'The Greatest Adventure' as it seems like an economical and dependable way to get Mr. Conrad's signature since his death (also, somehow it seems less morose to purchase a book in which he had some input and presumably some financial gain than a photo which he signed for some individual in the past - just one of my own quirks). Also, I have been wanting to get Stafford's signature, as I met him when I was 4 yrs old in a casual setting and did not have the foresight to ask for and autograph :). I am under the impression that the only way to get one from him now is to purchase from an organization with which he has aligned himself, and at a rather high cost. (I really am not ready to dive into Ebay...risk I am not really wanting to take)