posted 12-29-2025 04:10 PM               

There have been a large number of posts on collectSPACE regarding having specific provenance related to items (especially flown and autographed items). Some things are clearly defined items like serial numbers that can be verified as flown or items with notations or letters — something like "From my personal collection" - John Young/Charlie Duke/etc.; letters from estate - "From Armstrong estate": Rick and/or Mark Armstrong, etc. These document the item's provenance specifically.

But what about items from auction houses where the description says something like: "Directly from the estate of Person X, NASA Engineer" or simply something like "Ex. Jim Irwin." They (RR, Heritage, Sotheby's, etc.) all seem to do this in their listings.

posted 12-30-2025 03:10 AM               

I have used Bamfords extensively, and quite often even that origin is further obscured by descriptions such as 'from the estate of a deceased gentleman resident of Derbyshire'. Where they do name people, as in "ex-Joffe" that description is not only part of the lot title, but is also usually (but not always) stated in the auction catalogue.

I always buy a copy of the catalogue with any purchase so as to retain that provenance along with the purchased article. In cases where the lot description has such provenance, and/or the auctioneer states such provenance during the bidding proceedings but the auction catalogue does not state "ex-Kronstein" or suchlike, I then, upon purchase, ask the auctioneer to sign a bare outline in the catalogue itself - along the lines of "referenced as ex-Kronstein in auction by myself (name), (date)".

posted 12-30-2025 06:37 PM               

With regards to "from the collection of" ("ex") qualifiers in lot descriptions, I cannot say it always works, as it is completely voluntary on the part of the consignor and auction house, but I have on occasion asked the auctioneer to contact the consignor and if not the same person as identified in the "ex", request a letter documenting the chain of ownership between the original owner ("ex") and the current consignor.

posted 12-31-2025 06:55 AM               

I purchased a set of prototype in flight coverall boots meant for flight on Apollo 1, I purchased these directly from Walt Cunningham. He gave me a detailed COA and he signed the boots as authentic. Years later I sold the boots and found these boots were from the Skylab program and NOT from the Apollo program so I lost thousands. COA's are only as good as the memory of the person who wrights it.

Parents often time tell the family the history verbally and sometimes put it in writing to later determine the memories were false.

Families sometimes falsify the provenance to increase value and this has been suspected from the families of several astronauts.

As with all historic items there is always the possibility of fraud or misleading information.

I believe auction houses do try to ensure auction listing are accurate but remember There are many factors in addition to the ones listed above.

Dealers who buy, sell or cut up historic items into sections and it is impossible to confirm the section being sold is as advertised and sometime items will be falsely attributed to more valuable missions like Apollo 8, 11 or 13.

My advice is do your own research as a buyer. Take the time to ask the questions and be sure you are happy with the items you purchase.

Even with a COA from the astronaut, the owner or the person involved in the use of the item mistakes happen and it is not the auction house committing the fraud.