|
Author
|
Topic: Discovery: George Mueller estate; Advice?
|
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-27-2026 11:07 AM
   
I come to share an exciting discovery. During a duration of almost 20 years I purchased defaulted auctioned storage units. Gambling on the unknown, looking to find the unimaginable. Recently unbeknownst, I purchased the storage unit of Dr. George E. Mueller, who was the Associate Administrator at NASA heading the Office of Manned Space Flight during the Apollo years. To my amazement located within his unit was a treasure trove of NASA apace history from his work within the space programs. Encompassing of approximately 3000 NASA photos, awards, models, memorabilia, and pieces of space history. Unaware on how to showcase the discovery. I have been trying to document, research and present the items on my socials: Instagram; X; YouTube. I would appreciate any advice, comments or shares from the group if it interests you to check out my posts. I am trying to get the word out regarding this find. It is truly an amazing assortment of items. What would you do? Open up a museum and display? Sell all to a private collector? Or consignment to an auction house? — JD Mason |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 3271
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-27-2026 11:17 AM
If you want some help with these for value and possible auction touch base with Don Wills of Lunar Legacies. He lives in Las Vegas and would be a super help to you. I would like photos of the models though.  |
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-27-2026 12:03 PM
Just go to my socials, I post pics every day of items. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 3271
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 01-27-2026 12:12 PM
OK, thanks. I don't do socials. |
capoetc
Member Posts: 2437
From: McKinney TX (USA)
Registered: Aug 2005
|
posted 01-27-2026 01:56 PM
It is perplexing that the storage unit owners (the ones who rent out the units) did not contact his children to see if they wanted to pay the bill and collect the contents. Maybe they did and the kids were not interested? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 55874
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-27-2026 03:00 PM
If you are not set on immediately (or ever) selling the collection, one possible place for it might be the Barron Hilton Flight and Space Exploration Archives at Purdue University.The archives in West Lafayette, Indiana, include the estates of Amelia Earhart, Neil Armstrong, Gene Cernan and other key figures from aviation and spaceflight. Mueller earned his masters of science in electrical engineering from Purdue, so I believe he is eligible for inclusion. |
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-27-2026 04:07 PM
George Mueller Purdue award |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 2135
From: Fairfax, VA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 01-28-2026 01:21 PM
Hi - I looked through all the photos you have posted on Instagram. I didn't see any "blockbusters" that would sell for over $10,000; but I saw several that would sell for $1,000 - $3,000. And there are a lot that would sell for several hundred each, mostly with the fact they are coming from Mueller. For example, a random vintage NASA hardhat would probably sell for $100, but more for Dr. Mueller's. Nice find! |
sts205cdr
Member Posts: 764
From: Sacramento, CA
Registered: Jun 2001
|
posted 01-28-2026 02:39 PM
What a find! I like Robert's idea of donating them to Purdue. Giving researchers access to them. Unfortunately, museums have a limited display space, and many artifacts are locked away in a warehouse. |
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-28-2026 08:26 PM
quote:
Originally posted by stsmithva:
I didn't see any "blockbusters" that would sell for over $10,000; but I saw several that would sell for $1,000 - $3,000.
Oh yeah, I think your values are pretty low. From what I have seen an Apollo 11 plug sells for 20 - 32K. The gold foreign wars medal alone in scrap is worth 7k, so value maybe 20 or more. The Skylab model could easily go past 10, good luck ever finding anything comparable. Also, that 12 volume Apollo pictorial photo set has 1600 photos, many red letter. Many of the photos sell for $500 each. All together, I have about 3000 NASA photos, including a master set of red letter type 1 photos from Washington DC for Apollo 11. I do wonder if the memory module from Joe Shea was a flown item for Apollo 11/12. A lot of these items are one of one without any comparables, and from who it was owned from. Only the open market will determine. I think you would be amazed by auction results. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 55874
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-28-2026 08:44 PM
Before tempers flare, Steve (stsmithva) was only trying to help and he is not new to the space memorabilia market. You are both correct. For example, Apollo 11 heat shield plugs have sold for anywhere from $2,500 to $32,000. It really all depends on where, when and how the plug was sold, as well as provenance. George Mueller is certainly well-known in the space community, but is not a household name. There will need to be a degree of educating potential bidders before they can understand why items from his estate deserve a premium, and even then, some won't bother to even look (as opposed to say the Neil Armstrong estate, which drew in bidders from across all areas of collecting). That is not to say what you have is not valuable. As you write, the open market will make that decision. But please do not take offense if you hear opinions different to your own. |
thisismills
Member Posts: 610
From: Michigan
Registered: Mar 2012
|
posted 01-30-2026 08:31 AM
Congrats on the find and appreciate you sharing it with us. My favorite part of collecting is seeing items from those that worked in the space program. I'm glad you did your research, found collectSPACE and understand the historical and monetary value of these items. Far too often the research isn't done and items are relegated to the trash, especially when it comes to vintage photos and paper documents. I'm guessing based on what you've posted so far, there are historical photos in the collection that haven't been seen before on this forum. These photos and documents can advance our understanding and preservation of space flight and engineering history. Looking forward to seeing more from the collection. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1473
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 01-30-2026 05:01 PM
I was asked to provide values on some of your items for some auction houses. I felt the same way as Mr. Smith on the values. You may have some decent pieces, but a lot of it is in the area of values given here on the thread. The auction houses would appreciate it if you would stop changing your name to various auction employees while fishing for values. The word is out that you are doing that to get free valuations. You can look up the values yourself via the web and the many auction websites that give auction results. You have some good stuff. I think people on this thread are happy that you made a score. Good luck. |
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-30-2026 06:10 PM
I do not know where your getting this information. At no time have I ever changed my name or asked any auction house for any values or free appraisals. I have had Heritage reach out and Don Willis contact me. Everyone was extremely nice, offered if I was interested in consignment to get in touch with them. Before I ever listed this on this forum I did send RR an email for an possible appraisal. I did not hear back from them, then through a friend found out about this site. I then posted on here asking for advice. Since then RR responded cordially offering an appraisal if and whenever I am interested when I am ready to move forward. I have not yet decided what I would like to do with the collection. I will leave it at this. I will keep posting photos for those who wish to enjoy these relics of the past. To everyone that has contacted me, thank you. You have all been so nice and great to talk with. I appreciate your passion in this field. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1473
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 01-30-2026 09:03 PM
I have answered your direct email to me. Mr. Smith and I meant no harm. |
JDMRLY
Member Posts: 12
From: Las Vegas, NV, United States
Registered: Jan 2026
|
posted 01-31-2026 07:45 AM
After reflecting on yesterday's events, I have come to the conclusion to further not openly publish all the remaning items of the Mueller collection. Saddens me because my only objective was to share this exciting time in history. I do appreciate all the interest and responses I received. I understand now this is not the place for me. Thank you, I wish everyone the best with your future space endeavors. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 55874
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-31-2026 08:56 AM
I am sorry you have come to such a decision. I believe everyone here who responded publicly were only trying to be helpful because they appreciated the collection. Should you change your mind, your account remains active and you are welcome to continue posting. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1473
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
|
posted 01-31-2026 09:31 AM
He emailed me directly. I did say that once you tell everybody you have 3,000 NASA photos and lots of red number images that the law of supply and demand will come into effect rendering the myth of the rarity of "red number" photos moot and valueless. That kind of explains why he has stopped publishing the load of material. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 5547
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 01-31-2026 11:13 AM
Larry is one of the most respected and knowledgeable members of these forums. Maybe a reset is in order - recommend starting with the assumption that input being offered by the team is absent ill intent. |
advertisement