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Author
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Topic: AB Emblem Gemini quality reproductions
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edorr
Member Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-13-2010 03:24 PM
   
Back in June 2006, Bernie Conrad, president of AB Emblem, contacted me out of the blue to ask if I'd be willing to collaborate with AB Emblem on a new set of Gemini patches. He acknowledged that there was a need for a really decent set of Gemini patches of a consistently high quality. He saw my space patches website and thought I could give them some advice on how to "get it right." Interestingly, he said that he wanted to do this project even though he thought the market for it was quite small, and that profit wasn't his motive. He seemed to feel an obligation to do this -- to whom, and why, I never pursued. The folks at AB worked through each of the patches: some were easy, AB having gotten a patch almost dead-on at their first try; in other cases I despaired of their ever even getting close. But, patch by patch, they worked through the set, ending up doing a superb job on each one. Once we wrapped up Gemini 12, though, the AB project seemed to just disappear. Many months would pass without a word. Every now and then I'd either hear from AB about some marketing issue (like wanting a blurb for the packaging); or else I'd hear from an independent source that they'd heard about AB producing a set of Gemini patches, and did I know anything about it? Finally, after four years (!!), AB has told me that they are about a month away from starting production on these patches. I'm pretty psyched about it, and relieved to finally be able to tell you all that the wait is over (almost), and that you'll shortly be able to run out and buy as many "insanely great" Gemini patches as you want. Now I want to be clear on a few points... AB Emblem, in the person of Bernie Conrad, contacted me; I would never have had the chutzpah to initiate this myself. I was really sort of touched by his integrity in wanting to do this, simply because it was the "right thing to do." The marketing stuff on the packaging makes me cringe. It has my name all over it, and it started out being totally over-the-top -- which is, of course, what marketers do. Honestly, I begged them to tone it down. There are definitely other folks who know a lot more about these patches than I do. My only claim to fame is that I made one of the first websites about them. I am not the ego-maniac that they make me out to be. Really. My objective was to get patches that reproduced as closely as possible the appearance of the flight version of the patches. I didn't get into things like stitching direction or thread count. I concentrated on size, design, and color. There are no hallmarks on these patches (as far as I know). I've received no compensation of any kind for my involvement in this project. I'm not making a penny off the marketing. Nor have I paid AB Emblem for any kind of promotion. I didn't ask to be credited on the packaging. (If I had, I'd have stipulated that they cite my website. To my dismay, they don't mention it at all!) The craftspeople at AB Emblem deserve enormous credit. They have produced real works of art in embroidery. |
carl walker
Member Posts: 402
From: Netherlands
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 08-13-2010 03:51 PM
Wow, sounds fantastic. Very excited to see the finished products! |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3185
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 08-13-2010 04:30 PM
Well I for one am certainly looking forward to seeing what the Gene Dorr™ endorsed Official Gemini Gene Dorr Reproduction Patches® look like.  Lots of interesting decisions to have been made, crew-worn designs versus souvenir designs, modern style 4" sizes for some patches or stick to the original 3" size. One thing's for sure, they will never please everyone. To please every purist on the original thread you'd need to produce two or three versions of most patches and even then there would be complaints. In any case if these new designs mean the end of those horrible so-called Gemini patches that have been produced for the last 45 years that will be a great thing. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 08-13-2010 05:14 PM
Terrific news about the AB set. I agree; it's very cool that they felt a responsibility to produce these for posterity's sake, even if there's not much profit to be made. Thanks and well done to Gene and everyone else involved. |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-13-2010 05:40 PM
It's certainly true that you can't please everyone. I, however, am very glad to see this finally happening and I can't wait to get my hands on a set of these babies. Thank you very much for all your efforts on this Gene, and to Bernie at AB as well. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 3026
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-13-2010 06:25 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
In any case if these new designs mean the end of those horrible so-called Gemini patches that have been produced for the last 45 years that will be a great thing.
As for what I have heard from my AB contact, those terrible souvenir patches will still be made and this special set may only be for a limited time. It will be a business decision. If they sell like hotcakes they will last longer.I am curious about how this will effect the Richard Gordon special edition GTA-11 patch. Or is that one from 2006 being incorporated into this new set. |
edorr
Member Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-13-2010 08:12 PM
AB hasn't shared any of their marketing strategies with me, but I'm inclined to agree with your assessment. Their initial run of these patches will be pretty small. And from the pricing matrix I've seen, I'd be surprised of they made any profit on these at all. quote:
Originally posted by KSCartist:
I am curious about how this will effect the Richard Gordon special edition GTA-11 patch.
All of the designs in this set are original. The Richard Gordon special edition is completely separate. |
edorr
Member Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-13-2010 08:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by spaced out:
Lots of interesting decisions to have been made...
Exactly right. In the final analysis a lot of decisions kinda made themselves, just from an attempt to be consistent.Regarding size, I attempted to match the original size in all cases. There were times when I was afraid I must be driving the folks at AB absolutely nuts with my nit-picking. But then they'd come back with a remark like, "you're so much easier to work with than most of our customers, because you really know what you want." (I'm paraphrasing here.) That really made this a rewarding experience. |
astroborg
Member Posts: 209
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 08-17-2010 07:15 AM
Gene, very cool! Thanks for sharing this info with us. |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-18-2010 03:05 PM
Just talked with AB Emblem - each replica Gemini patch will cost around $6.99. Each will be attached to a headercard with historical information about the patch and the subsequent space flight. Patches will be available in about 5-6 weeks, probably around Oct. 1. And here, thanks to the fine folks at AB, is a look at each of them. Pretty damn great looking if you ask me... 
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lucspace
Member Posts: 493
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 08-18-2010 03:28 PM
It did take some time, but finally, the Gemini reproductions are here!Gene and AB did a tremendous job; reproductions like this have not seen the light of day before. Unfortunately, the set is not without its flaws. I think that Gemimi 5, 8 and 12 are less than perfect; but do make up your own minds when you get to see them. Again, this does get us patches that are way, way better than any Gemini reproduction ever. The 9 and 10 (my favourites) are almost perfect! Hats off to Gene and his persistence! The price of the patches is very reasonable, and there is an attractive discount when ordering multiple copies of the same patch. |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 08-18-2010 04:06 PM
Maybe they're not exact, but they're damn close. Better than any replicas we've seen before in my opinion and I have many of the replicas. But I also have many of the originals, so I'm very glad they're not exact. If they're not hallmarked, the slight differences will make it easier for casual fans to tell them from the originals. In any case, I can't wait to get my hands on this set. It's about time, it's taken way too long for it to happen, but it seems the wait has been worth it. That's a darned nice looking set if you ask me. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 08-18-2010 04:13 PM
Those look terrific! Now I can finally put together a proper-looking framed Gemini display to go with my Apollo and shuttle frames.Once again, big thanks to everyone who made this happen! On edit: I do have one question for Gene though, why no "8 Days or Bust" on the GT-5 wagon? Is it because you wanted to replicate the patches as they were in flight, and Cooper and Conrad didn't reveal the slogan on their patches until splashdown? Fine either way, just curious... |
edorr
Member Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-19-2010 08:05 AM
Well, I'm not 100% positive they'll be carrying this through in the final product, but the patches AB sent me for approval do have the "8 Days or Bust" embroidered on the patch, which is then covered up by a bit of cloth sewn over the canopy of the wagon. |
edorr
Member Posts: 94
From: Chelmsford, MA
Registered: Oct 2000
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posted 08-19-2010 08:17 AM
In the interest of transparency: after my initial post at the top of this thread, in which I said that AB didn't mention my website on their packaging, AB contacted me and essentially said "Oops. Sorry about that. We'll add it."So when you get the final product it will indeed have both my website's URL and AB's website's URL on the packaging. So, you now know that AB does check on this forum....
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328KF
Member Posts: 1368
From:
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-19-2010 10:19 AM
quote:
Originally posted by edorr:
...the patches AB sent me for approval DO have the "8 Days or Bust" embroidered on the patch, which is then covered up by a bit of cloth sewn over the canopy of the wagon.
That is incredible! I hope this is the case for the regular run of this patch. For anyone who knows the story behind this, you couldn't ask for a more accurate repro of the original "Cooper" crew patch.Well done! |
Harald Kraenzel
Member Posts: 312
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 08-19-2010 10:19 AM
First of all a big "Thank you" to all envolved. It's a great project and I am looking forward to get those patches.I was told by AB that: |
justin13
Member Posts: 55
From: Richmond, VA, U.S.A.
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-19-2010 11:58 PM
That's fantastic news, especially if they've gone so far as to replicate the cover-up on the Gemini 5 patch. I can't wait to have a set in my collection. |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 09-02-2010 07:15 PM
All right, here's a look at these new AB Emblem Gemini "flight patch" replicas, as compared to my own original and vintage Gemini emblems — the ones I own when possible and the best available picture of the original emblem for the ones I don't own. (And all credit for those is due to the original photographers and sources of those images.)If you ask me, I think AB's done a very nice job of replicating the original patches. In a couple cases, the thread color is a little bit off, but that's certainly to be expected (some of the thread color differences visible below - particularly for the patches I do not own - are inherent in the different lighting of the photography). You will also note that the thread is a little more shinny on the replicas, no doubt owing to their new manufacture. It's particularly impressive that even the weave direction is correct on many of the replicas. This first picture is a group shot. Top row (left to right): AB's new Gemini 8 replica, the recent AB/Novaspace Gemini 4 "McDivitt" patch, the ORIGINAL Gemini 3 patch. Bottom row (left to right) - My ORIGINAL Gemini 5 "flown souvenir" patch and AB's new Gemini 5 "Cooper patch" replica. Even though they aren't officially part of the new AB set, I thought the GT3 and GT4 emblems were useful for comparison (click on images to enlarge).  |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 09-02-2010 07:15 PM
Here's a look at AB's new Gemini 5 "Cooper patch" replica (left) side by side with the ORIGINAL Gemini 5 "Cooper" patch (right). And here's a closer look at the front and back of AB's Gemini 5 "Cooper patch" replica...  |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 09-02-2010 07:16 PM
Now here's AB's new Gemini 6 patch replica (left) side by side with the ORIGINAL Gemini 6 patch (right). Here's AB's new Gemini 7 replica (left) side by side with the best photo available of the ORIGINAL Gemini 7 "flight" patch (right).  And here's the AB Gemini 7 replica (left) side by side with my ORIGINAL Gemini 7 "flown souvenir" patch (right).  |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 09-02-2010 07:16 PM
Now here's the AB's new Gemini 8 replica (left) side by side with the rare ORIGINAL Gemini 8 patch (right) sold at auction a couple years ago. The thread colors on the roman numerals are a little off, but still, pretty close... Next up, my ORIGINAL Gemini 9 and Gemini 11 patches (left) side by side with AB's new replicas (right). Obviously, the replica Gemini 9 has the names tab removed, as it was for the actual flight. The biggest difference here is the obvious color variation in the blue twill background of the Gemini 11 emblems.  |
Bill Hunt
Member Posts: 404
From: Irvine, CA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 09-02-2010 07:17 PM
And finally, here's my ORIGINAL Gemini 10 and Gemini 12 patches (left) side by side with AB's new replicas (right). Pretty damn close. My Gemini 10 original has warped a little with age, but otherwise the biggest difference here is that the red thread on the original GT10 is a little deeper and darker than the replica. Again, the fact that the replica patches look a little lighter in general (i.e. more lusterous) is due to their newer manufacture. All in all, I think most of you are going to be VERY happy with these replicas. My hats off to Bernie and everyone at AB Emblems, and also to Gene, for working so hard for so long to make this fine set happen! |
Harald Kraenzel
Member Posts: 312
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 09-03-2010 03:50 AM
Great work, Bill.Thank you so much for doing all this comparing work which gives a very good overview of what we all are anxious to get: the AB Gemini set patches. |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3185
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 09-17-2010 09:50 AM
It always struck me that the original Gemini 7 crew patch looks like someone holding a burning hairdryer.The crew souvenir version with the text around the outside did a much better job - it actually looks like a torch and even has the bottom of the handle lined up with the top. Of course the new issue has to more or less follow the original crew version but the new version seems to have improved some details so that it looks slightly more torch-like and slightly less like a malfunctioning household appliance. |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 10-09-2010 07:08 PM
I received my patches — outstanding! The patches are really nice and so much better than the souvenir versions.
Thank you Gene Dorr and AB Emblem for making this project a reality. |
astroborg
Member Posts: 209
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 10-12-2010 04:46 PM
I just received my set. Each patch was individually packaged, in plastic, with the card described earlier in this topic providing some background information on how this release came to be. Thanks Gene, and AB! |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 10-12-2010 10:19 PM
Regarding packaging, the patches are individually wrapped as seen on his website. On the back, there is a card, about 5x4 inches discussing the design of the patch described by Gene and the launch date of the mission with the picture of the original patch and AB's emblem on the lower left corner. I am surprised that Galactic received the patches early, but then again he sells a lot of AB patches so he must have a good rapport with them. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1459
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 10-13-2010 12:55 PM
The patches are excellent. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 551
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 10-13-2010 06:08 PM
Arrived in Texas today. Look great. |
xlsteve
Member Posts: 393
From: Holbrook MA, USA
Registered: Jul 2008
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posted 10-14-2010 07:51 AM
I got my patches in Massachussetts yesterday, they look great. |
backof
Member Posts: 34
From: Katonah, NY USA
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 10-14-2010 06:32 PM
Mine arrived today. These are excellent. I'm surprised at the variation in the sizes of the patches compared to the patches in the Apollo and shuttle programs.That Gemini 8 patch is a real beauty! The individual packaging was a really nice surprise. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 10-15-2010 10:18 AM
Received mine yesterday (Denver), and they are indeed gorgeous. As posted above, the variance in size was a bit surprising, but not extreme. I can only assume that was an accurate reflection of the vintage examples Gene and AB worked from.I'm really glad I got two sets. I'll keep one in the individual packaging, and frame the other with my Molly Brown and Novaspace GT-4 patches. If you're on the fence about these, I can't recommend them highly enough. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 49102
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-15-2010 10:48 AM
The patches arrived here a couple of days ago. I agree that the entire set is superb but I must highlight the Gemini 5, as it is really everything I could have hoped from a replica. I'm not a huge fan of replica patches and I don't collect them but I've wanted a faithful example of the first space mission patch for quite some time and between the felt border and the covered Conestoga with its hidden text, I really couldn't ask for more. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 551
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 10-19-2010 09:01 PM
I bought an extra Gemini 5 patch and removed the covering from the wagon to expose the original message "8 Days or Bust." It was rather tedious, but is doable. The message is indeed under the cover and looks great in the light of day. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 10-22-2010 03:19 PM
Any advice/direction (other than "Be careful!") on removing the cloth? Did you use an X-Acto or similar knife? |
benguttery
Member Posts: 551
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 10-23-2010 04:56 PM
Tools required: very sharp and pointy X-acto, magnifying glass (or glasses), and a steady hand. The rubbery backing on the patch makes it more difficult. Take your time. Do a little and quit for a while. |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1355
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 11-20-2010 07:02 PM
By way of a new razor blade and a very small tweezers, I was able to remove the covering cloth fairly easily. However, I was then confronted with another line of stitching around the wagon train's canvas cover that still partially obscured the "Or Bust" and had to be removed stitch by stitch. Tedious.In the end, I managed to do it without damaging the base patch, and it's worthy of display, so I'm happy. But if you're thinking about doing this, be advised that it's more work than would first appear, and requires the right tools, good eyes, a steady pair of hands, and a lot of patience.  |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3185
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 12-02-2010 12:59 PM
Of all the crew and crew souvenir patches from the Gemini project, one of my favourite designs is the Gemini 7 Crew Souvenir patch which has the insignia at the center and the crew names and mission around the edges.This patch is extremely rare, and apart from the handful of examples carried by the crew on the flight very few have appeared on the market over the past few years (the two unflown examples I've seen sold for $810 and $1045). With all this in mind I decided to have a replica of this design produced to go with the AB Crew Patch replica set detailed above, and after a long and detailed design process (and excellent support from the team at AB Emblem) the finished patches should be with me shortly. I'll post here when the patches go on sale but I just thought I'd give people a heads-up that they're on their way. |
lucspace
Member Posts: 493
From: Hilversum, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 12-02-2010 03:56 PM
Another great initiative! This thing is leading to some wonderful patches for collectors. With the earlier Gemini 3 and 4 reproductions, AB's new set and this latest addition, we're lucky to finally get our hands on some great 'truthful' reproductions! |
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