Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-07-2011 08:13 PM               

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I follow the Crew Patches website pretty closely as far as designs for patches and determinations about what may constitute an "original" patch vs. a "replica."

There was a grouping of Apollo recovery patches posted on eBay this last week that all had some deviation from what was considered "original" so I treated them as replicas.

I don't plan on spending three figures for any patches soon, so I had a solid bid (according to the website) on a replica Apollo 13 patch, really wanted it, and wouldn't you know, someone thinking it was an authentic version, nukes me out of it in the last seconds. What's with that? I have been upset all day long over that auction.

Anyway, how difficult is it to find ANY of these, and what should be the "ground rules" for them as far as replicas and pricing?

Posts: 3175
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 11-08-2011 05:59 AM               

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The Apollo 13 recovery patch was clearly a replica, but not the version on my site, although I did note under the replica entry there that other replica versions doubtless exist. In any case will add this other replica to the site shortly. It sold for $21.51 which to me is not that much for a replica. If I had a 5" replica patch made today I'd be unable to sell it for less than $15 to $20 to have a hope of breaking even.

The Apollo 14 recovery patch was more unusual and sold for $61.59. In my opinion it's likely a modern patch despite its bare cloth back but in any case the 4" size means it's not the real deal. I'll add this to my site as a probable replica.

The Apollo 11, 12, 16 and 17 patches were regular replicas and sold for peanuts. In my opinion these are all pretty good replicas (including the Apollo 13 patch). There's no way I could have patches like this made and be able to sell them for $7 each unless I could sell several hundred examples, so I would say these are pretty good value.

Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-08-2011 06:26 PM               

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So then I take it that these were versions that you have actually not seen before? I guess that means there are a lot of different variants out there. What I am hoping for is to find a person or website that supplies any of these. I am partial to the 5" versions because those look like they are closest to the original.

Wish I had another shot at that Apollo 13...

Posts: 101
From: Bryan, Texas USA
Registered: Jun 2005

Posts: 104
From: Alabama, USA
Registered: Feb 2011

posted 11-08-2011 10:48 PM               

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I see the new entry. You state that they are "commercially available"... do you have any idea at all where they could be found? I am wondering if some site like Stewart Emblems may be the producer.

The smaller ones are still on eBay. I guess I could get one as a space filler to hold me over until I can locate the 5" version. I just don't have a sense of how hard these are to find yet.

Posts: 148
From: Port Orchard, WA USA
Registered: Jul 2020