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Author
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Topic: Space mission, commmemorative lapel pins
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teopze
Member Posts: 180
From: Warsaw, Poland
Registered: May 2008
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posted 03-15-2009 06:09 AM
   
It's a lazy Sunday for me today so I started to wonder... what do you think is the ultimate collectible lapel pin? I understand that it can be very subjective, as everything that concerns collecting, but there are always some well established 'holy grails'. For instance, in the case of medallions, the Gold Flown Apollo XI Robbins medallion would probably be such holy grail. When it comes to pins my thoughts are polarized in the direction of some Snoopy Pins perhaps, but that might be slightly to obvious... any ideas? |
spaceman
Member Posts: 1104
From: Walsall, West Midlands, UK
Registered: Dec 2002
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posted 03-15-2009 04:53 PM
I'm not sure how many lapel type pins have flown in space. They must be truly collectible with the right provenance. Robert is proudly displaying one for the 'collectSPACE' site in the 'Artifacts' section.I'll have to do a bit of reading and see how/when others have flown. I'm sure other site members must know of other flown and collectible pins. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 03-15-2009 05:05 PM
I would imagine it would have to be a gold astronaut pin. Worn only by flown astronauts having flown itself...IMHO the runner up would be one of the 50 gold Grumman lapel pins flown to the lunar surface on Apollo 12 one or two of which are currently in collectors ownership. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 03-15-2009 11:24 PM
One of the Apollo 12 surface flown gold Grumman pins is available on Dick Gordon's website for $6,000. A good deal on a real treasure. Out of my price range though. |
86horn
Member Posts: 73
From: College Station, Texas
Registered: Nov 2004
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posted 03-20-2009 01:42 PM
Interesting discussion and I agree with what has been posted so far. When I first read the title, I thought more along the lines of ones on a more personal nature. All mentioned are way out of my teacher-salary price range. Besides a couple given to me by astronauts, the one(s) that means the most is the original STS-114 and eventual insignia used. Being an Educator Astronaut finalist, I had the opportunity to attend the launch and met a lot of special people who worked hard in getting us back up. |
Voyager1975
Member Posts: 188
From:
Registered: Dec 2008
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posted 03-20-2009 02:33 PM
Yes, I agree totally. The STS-114 mission insignia is one of the best designs ever created. It has always been a favorite of mine since day one. |
pterodactyl
Member Posts: 21
From:
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 03-22-2009 04:09 PM
One pin that may deserve consideration is Deke Slayton's diamond studded gold astronaut pin. The Apollo 1 crew had intended to fly the gold pin, and present it to Deke post flight. Fate intervened and the Apollo 1 widows gave it to him after the accident. This scene was recreated in 'From the Earth to the Moon's' Apollo 1 episode. The pin was subsequently flown to the lunar surface by Neil Armstrong on Apollo 11. Apparently Deke considered the pin his most important possession for the rest of his life. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 01-16-2010 11:56 AM
Well European pins are hard to come by, but this manufacturer has some nice collection cases. |
idrvball
Member Posts: 150
From: Burke, VA USA
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 01-22-2010 06:17 PM
I was wondering if anyone had any information on these two pins I have. I have been trying to find something, like when they are from, or where they came from.I can't find any markings on them. Any ideas?
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Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 01-23-2010 01:24 PM
I have not seen the astronaut figure pin before, but the Gemini spacecraft pin is fairly common. I'm not sure of the source but I suspect both were issued commercially as commemorative items. The Gemini pin was also issued as a set of cufflinks. |
to-the-stars
Member Posts: 15
From: Canada
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 01-27-2010 07:52 PM
Both pins (or more correctly is to call them tie tacks) are related to Gemini program and were issued at the times of Gemini flights.Gemini pin is also known with gold-ish plating rather than silver-ish. There are known later (probably 1970s) re-issues of Gemini pin very similar to one shown by Mike though same differences are noticeable. Both pins were also issued in the version of earrings, tie clasps, cuff-links and other sort of jewelry. This was very common for 1960s space memorabilia. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 02-02-2010 08:53 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Philip:
Well European pins are hard to come by, but this manufacturer has some nice collection cases.
Thanks for the link, Philip. The pins are neat. |
kytydad
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-21-2010 01:39 PM
I was just wondering about this pin I inherited. If anybody can tell me about it? I would appreciate it, thanks.
Editor's note: Threads merged. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 03-22-2010 07:25 AM
I have always been under the impression those were issued by NASA to employees in the 1960s but am not completely sure. They are fairly common, however. They turn up regularly on eBay and don't command a very high price. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 391
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 03-22-2010 10:01 AM
quote:
Originally posted by pterodactyl:
One pin that may deserve consideration is Deke Slayton's diamond studded gold astronaut pin.
That pin appears to be in the upcoming Bonhams Auction. I'm very surprised that its for sale, I would think it should be in a museum. |
Byeman
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-22-2010 11:29 AM
My favorite is a representation of the lithium atom. It is something like this. |
PerryM
Member Posts: 71
From: Temple, TX USA
Registered: Nov 2009
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posted 04-26-2010 08:21 PM
At an Apollo 13 event, I saw one of the launch team tie-tacs. I was lucky enough to find one from a guy whose father worked with the launch team and received one of them. Can anyone tell me any information on them, like how many were handed out, how many made, how common are they, and a relative value? The guy is sending me the bio of his father and how he obtained working for NASA. Thank you all you have always been such great help. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 542
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-26-2010 09:41 PM
Perry, my comments apply to the gold- or silver-toned Apollo Launch Team "pins" that I think you're referring to (which occasionally show up on eBay). I have been collecting such space jewelry for 40 years and they are the only Launch Team pins I have ever seen for Apollo. And yes, you are correct that they were originally sold a tie-tacs, complete with the little chain and bar you'd put through your shirt button! They typically show the mission insignia with "Launch Team" in an outer ring and are about 1/8" thick. Truth be told, these were made commercially and were sold to anyone at souvenir and gift shops in Cocoa Beach during the Apollo program. They were still available at the long-gone Beach One shop on A1A across the street from Ron Jon's as recently as the early 1980s. I suspect that Tom Foley of Cape Kennedy Medals was behind them but not sure. Ken Havecotte may have more information to add. Many were made -- they seem to be uncommon these days but not scarce. Ones for Apollos 7-10 are harder to find. I think the value, like many space collectibles, is what someone will pay -- I'd put a value on them of maybe $20 each? They originally sold for about $2-3. P.S. I have recently been told that the Apollo/NASA pin pictured above may have been issued by Rockwell. |
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