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Author
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Topic: Aurora Auction
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Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-09-2003 02:13 AM
   
I know it is only half over, but I spent my budget today so it is over for me. What did everyone think?I wanted to walk away with one of those nice Gemini Acrylics but I was a little overwhelmed by their popularity and their price. However, somehow fate lends a hand and I ended with some really nice things at very reasonable prices. My only regret is that I spent so much time with my head down in the auction book all day and I didn't spend more time talking treason with everyone. I met some list members for the first time, and saw some others I had not seen for awhile. Honestly, if I had not won anything I would have been happy just to have been up there to see everyone. It was exciting to see some of the lots go. Mike Collins' model brought a round of applause from the floor after it was won. For all the faults that people point out about Aurora, I have not read anybody mention the excitement or buzz that builds up going into an auction. I get the same feeling looking through their catalog that I got as a child looking through the Toys R Us catalog around Christmas time when I was a child. Thanks to everyone at Aurora. I hope everyone took home something special.
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Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 04:34 AM
Must be fun to be at the real auction - but I'll tell you it's pretty frightening using the live auction sevice on the internet.A great item comes up... the display freezes... and freezes... you wait nervously with the cursor over the bid button. Has your internet link frozen? Suddenly the little window fills with bids from the floor and the internet as the price skyrockets and just as suddenly the "Fair Warning" message appears. In a split second you have to verify the price the item has shot up to whilst still clicking quickly enough to get in a bid before the auction closes. It's hair-raising stuff, especially on the pricey items, and especially at 3 o'clock in the morning! In the time it takes you to decide to bid and actually clicking the button the price can have jumped $1000! On the more expensive stuff I was very careful to keep the mouse cursor WELL away from the bid button! Anyway, I got myself some great stuff  ...and made one fairly expensive mistake.  All-in-all a gripping night. Hope other people got what they wanted. P.S. To whichever madmen bid those AS-11 flags up to $20k.. I hatesya! Grrrrr!  Makes me wonder what will happen to Lot 831 - ASTP flag and AS-11 SURFACE FLOWN FLAG!! If a lunar orbit flag is worth $20k-$27500 what on earth (?) is a surface flown flag going to go for? |
VCampbell
Member Posts: 83
From: Bell Canyon CA USA
Registered: Oct 2002
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posted 11-09-2003 06:53 AM
Doug - thank you for the kind words. Please know that, as collectors ourselves, we share the same excitement about finding, cataloging and offering these wonderful items and interfacing with the collectors in the hobby. We were pleased to see the strength of the auction results throughout all of session 1, which I think reflects the collectors' sense of where our economy is today coupled with their sense of value for these items. I look forward to today's session ! Best regards, Victoria Campbell, CEO Aurora Galleries International, Inc. |
skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-09-2003 07:27 AM
Well said guys.I was interested in the Slayton passes and were blown away when the internet screen started some at $700. I'm always amazed at when items that are freely available at a reasonable price go for double or even tripple what you can buy them for. I picked up one of the Collins on the parchment paper as I though it was a bargan. I then waited for the Stu Roosa and I must of gone into a micro sleep as it was on my screen for less than a second and just as I was about to bid the title changed to Edgar Mitchell. Have my eye on one or two thing tonight, Fingers crossed. Other than that I think the internet bids worked quite well. I just wished I had a bigger budget!! All the best Ian P.s I wont say what my wife said when my catalogue arrived on Friday but it was worse thean the engineer porn comment. Also A big thanks to Michael and Victoria for getting a catalogue to me in the UK in 3 days after another comedy of errors involving getting a catalogue to me. |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-09-2003 10:35 AM
Well, I was out during the first part of the auction so didn't get involved in any of the live bidding. Most of the items I liked were out of my league anyway so I decided to concentrate on adding to my book collection. I missed out on the Stages to Saturn and the Chariots for Apollo books, but I did manage to get "On the Shoulders of Titans" Gemini book for a good price which I am pleased about as I have wanted it for ages. Im only bidding on one item today (Sun) so I hope Im lucky, but I think Im being to optimistic with my bid, lol. Happy Winning.........Adam |
fabfivefreddy
Member Posts: 1067
From: Leawood, Kansas USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 02:06 PM
I won the Armstrong inscribed "Tranquility Base" (matt signed) photo. I bid by internet. Can anyone tell me if it was clearly authentic and what the condition was really like?
Thanks.
Tahir Rahman |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 02:27 PM
I can't believe lot 831 (presentation to Deke Slayton including flown ASTP flag and surface flown AS-11 flag) in the second session went for 'just' $16000 when the orbit flown AS-11 flags in session 1 went for $20000 and $27500!Can anyone explain the logic behind this? Am I missing something obvious? |
fabfivefreddy
Member Posts: 1067
From: Leawood, Kansas USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 04:19 PM
yes, it makes sense. The first items are actually signed by the AP11 crew, the second session item is not. Any item signed by the AP11 crew is consistently going to bring a higher value. It is a more impressive piece to display and has more historical significance. In addition, it gives "automatic" credibility.
Tahir |
Dirk
Member Posts: 933
From: Belgium
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 04:26 PM
Not that I have the money, but what en where is aurora auction ?Dirk |
nasamad
Member Posts: 2121
From: Essex, UK
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 11-09-2003 04:31 PM
Yeehaa ! Well it pays to be optimistic, I won the item I wanted. A nice STS-26 Robbins Medallion. A perfect addition to my STS-26 collection. Hope you all got what you was looking for and don't have to make up to many excuses to your better halves about the overdrafts ! Adam
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Richard
New Member Posts: 5
From: Morrisonville, New York USA
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 11-09-2003 05:05 PM
I stuck to my bid limits on the pieces I wanted and lost out on quite a few items. For example, I thought I would win the lunar tool at 5K, but it went over. I was also disappointed by the flown Ed White EVA flag that finished 1K over what I thought it was worth. However, I did come across a few "steals."I have to disagree with Tahir on the lunar flag issue. More "credibility" comes with an item owned and offered by the Slayton family. Also, the mere fact that this item was probably important to Slayton increases its value in my eyes. However, I feel that the discrepancy in the prices is secondary to the day the auction took place. The Slayton flag auction occurred during a day filled mostly with Shuttle/Soviet memorabilia. Although it had great items, like it or not, these items attract a different clientele. I believe that if this item was placed in the A11 section, then its price would have been greater. However, in placing this item into the second day, Aurora did attract more bidders to the Sunday auction. If the owner is looking for a good return on the item, he/she could just split the flags into two items and auction them off separately (however it would be a shame). |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 06:04 PM
My feeling exactly. Had it been the closing item in session 1 I believe it would have most likely fetched $30k plus.Whoever bought it for $16k got the best buy of the auction and a unique memento of two missions. It should'a been me... it should'a been me...(exits shaking head sadly and muttering to self). |
skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-09-2003 07:20 PM
Well day 2 for me finished succesfully, My aim was to pick up a Gagarin and I did but it wasn't the piece I was looking at, Last Auction $250 would get you one this time they went for over $400, So in the end I had to settle for the Titov signed book also signed by Gagarin.I also was aiming to pick up a Slayton Pass but they went way to High so I was supprised to pick up the Slayton Fai sporting License which also fills the hole for the Slayton signature. Still Kicking myself for waiting too long to click for the Tereshkova with Gagarin that went for $150 Any way if you are like me, I watched the last 3 auctions and were too nervous to bid, Just do it but remember you have to pay for the items. Hope every one won what they wanted Ian |
astronut
Member Posts: 969
From: South Fork, CO
Registered: Mar 2000
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posted 11-09-2003 08:47 PM
I tried for lots 427 & 429 and was quickly priced out. In fact the opening bids on both were more than I budgeted. Looks like the market is back to what it was like a few years ago.------------------
Happy trails,
Wayno
"...you are go for TLI."
www.TransLunarInjection.com |
Rodina
Member Posts: 836
From: Lafayette, CA
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 11-09-2003 09:09 PM
I only bid on two things -- and got the one thing I was after -- but the bidding struck me as a lot more robust than the spring auction. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1190
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 11-09-2003 09:39 PM
I agree. The bidding seemed to be very strong on most items, and I was pleased to see the price levels getting stronger. In fact, a number of bids simply blew me out of the water. And yet it was still strange to see some other items go off at such low prices (a few Robbins medallions went lower than I thought; the aforementioned Slayton collection a11 lunar surface flag with astp flag; the mercury 7 flown dime for $900, etc.) I was happy to pick up a number of nice flown items for my collection -- which is always a thrill. Seemed like there was something for everyone, at at all price levels. Kudos to Victoria and Michael for another "good show." Rich PS: It is also very gratifying to see so many new members posting to Collectspace over the last few weeks. Do I sense an uptrend in interest? |
Crsh4Csh
Member Posts: 113
From:
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-09-2003 09:41 PM
Hello everyone , i had such a great time there at the auction meeting some of you . i was able to get about 50% of what i had hoped to get. managed to get one of the AP 11 flags , the first one , wanted the second one as well , but stuck to my 25k limit , was so glad to have gotten one though , also picked up a couple of other AP11 goodies . i wanted the Collins LM but could not realisticly afford to go past my 30k limit, oh well , in hindsight im kinda glad i didnt get it, plus there were some people there with much deeper pockets than my spare change. I really wanted the slayton lunar flag today , but i realisticly could not afford to spend more than my 15k bid...heck if it didnt go for just a thousand more...the best part was getting home to see my little boys face when he asked if i had gotten some more astronaut goodies for OUR little collection. when i told him that i did get only a few items , he cracked his smiling little missing tooth grin, and asked why i couldnt have gotten it all ? the dear little 5yr old has no concept that things actually cost money (must get it from mommy). He was so happy at bedtime and kissed me and said a big thank you and said that he and i have some neat astronaut stuff......Anyway , it truley was great meeting some of you , and a BIG thank you VICTORIA and MICHEAL for a classy job well done !!!! take care all....Eddie |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3110
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-10-2003 04:06 AM
Ah Eddie - so you're one of the 'madmen'! Well you got yourself a great AS-11 flag there anyway. That kind of thing is always going to go for what people are willing to pay at the time and it's clear there were a whole lotta people desperate for one of those flags.Actually you were probably lucky there were two being offered otherwise it's clear that one on its own would have gone well over $27k. Now with people referring back to this sale who knows how much the next AS-11 flag is going to sell for at auction? That said, as long as you buy for yourself and not to resell every item is worth whatever you had to pay for it to get it. No more, no less. |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-10-2003 05:50 AM
Like others I wanted one of Slayton's passes or his FAI membership card (being a glider pilot!). I backed off when the prices went too high IMHO.
I fell back on an item I thought I'd never win # 1574 Gagarin's watch, inscribed by him to his brother, after he had owned it for a couple of years. I can't believe I won it at $1100. OK, so it doesn't have lot of space context about it, but owning something worn by the FIRST man in space is very special.
Can't wait to wear it to the office<LOL>
Paul Bramley[This message has been edited by gliderpilotuk (edited November 10, 2003).] |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 11-10-2003 07:46 AM
It sounds to me like the auction was a success for many people. Me too.There are some thoughts that I take away from the auction. This auction had some very interesting pieces in it such as the Gold LM model, but it also had many very affordable artifacts too. The lucites and fragments allowed people, who might not be able to bid on an Apollo 11 flag, still potentially get hold of a flown piece from Man's 1st moon landing as well as many other flights. As an aside, I have been seeing Apollo 11 flags going for these type of prices since 1999. I believe if you look at auction history the average price has been between $20K and $30K for the last few years. Yes, the prices were up and maybe there are two reasons for the the price hike. The quality of the auction and the ability to purchase a good artifact for less than exorbitant prices (I mean $20K) and the strengthening of the economy. People really responded to this auction and that was great to see. And yes, there were pieces that were steals like the LB7 dime (I watched the dime and weeped about my paying more, a lot more) or the Apollo 15 lunar surface flag and patch (my vote for steal of the auction). Steals and deals will always be part of the hobby. Sometimes you win and sometimes you loose, but it does even out over time. I came away feeling that the hobby and the collectors are back and that's a good sign. I hope everybody came away with something they wanted. Now to pay for it all.
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Larry McGlynn
A Tribute to Apollo
[This message has been edited by Larry McGlynn (edited November 10, 2003).] |
cosmos-walter
Member Posts: 691
From: Salzburg, Austria
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 11-10-2003 11:22 AM
In my opinion lot 712 was the best buy of the auction.
3 covers with proof Apollo 15 postmark "Moon Landing USA" with different dates were sold together for just 350 $.
Scott and Irwin took two postmarks to the moon. David Scott postmarked the official cover on the lunar surface with the other postmark saying "United States on the Moon Aug.2 1971". Afterwards the Postmaster General started the first day ceremony in Houston.
Dr. Matthews Radnovsky cancelled just a few covers before launch using different dates. He did this prepareing the astronauts' task to postmark the official cover.
As by now I am aware of only some 6 covers of each of the two postmarks.
Most likely, no other cover is left for sale.Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin also took an official USPS postmark to the moon. However, they used it in CM Columbia not until being on their way back to earth. With this potmark 4 proof covers and 150 specimen covers were prepared before flight. As far as I remember, one of the Apollo 11 specimen covers reached more than 8000 $ at Superior Auctions a couple of years ago. Like before, Aurora offered some phantastic items. Many of them originate directly from astronauts or other persons involved.
Unfortunately, the auction also included highly suspicious material like 3 photographs supposed to be signed by ill-fated Soyuz 11 cosmonauts Dobrovolsky, Volkov and Patsayev. The photographs from many flags flown to Soviet or Russian space stations were not good enough to enable me a decision regarding their genuiness.
Since I like Michael and Victoria, I sincerely would recomend them to be more careful before offering suspect items - it would be not only for the sake of Aurora auctions but for everybody sharing our hobby. |
Michael Davis
Member Posts: 528
From: Houston, Texas
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 11-10-2003 12:02 PM
I got Lot 605 - the Apollo 12 flown beta patch. Did anyone see it in person? I'm hoping that it's a nice display. |
Michael
Member Posts: 309
From: Brooklyn New York
Registered: Jun 2002
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posted 11-12-2003 09:22 AM
I think item 394 was the best deal. A signed crew picture of Apollo 1 for 4250!!!!!...I wish I had gotten that. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-12-2003 06:44 PM
The biggest bargain? Well there were a lot. Given I was focussed on the Gemini Acrylics I would say the one from GT-2, the unmanned flight was the biggest bargain. It went for well under half of what was paid for the manned crew flights.The biggest disappointment? I didn't meet Chet while I was up there Saturday!
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Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
chet
Member Posts: 1506
From: Beverly Hills, Calif.
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 11-12-2003 09:58 PM
Whoa!, thank you Doug; that's one of the nicest things anyone has ever said about me.
(You could probably tell from alot of the responses I get here that that's really not that big an accomplishment , but thanks so much anyway.Anyhow, believe me, if you were disappointed by not meeting me, I can't describe how disappointed you'd have been if you had!
Wish I had known you were there so as to introduce myself - - oh well, there'll be the April auction....hope to meet you then. -chet |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-19-2003 12:51 PM
Well, I got the good news and the bad news on my Aurora shipment. I found it in perfect condition at work today. It should have arrived Monday, but UPS.... well, don't get me started with them! Everything is in there, I was invoiced correctly and life is good.... sort of... my wife reminded me this morning that it is my Christmas present, so after my initial inspection it must go under the tree while I whimper silently waiting for 5 weeks before I can play with the stuff! I just wanted to share my happy ending to the Fall 2003 Aurora Auction. ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
072069
Member Posts: 206
From: Sayreville, NJ USA
Registered: Oct 2003
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posted 11-19-2003 12:53 PM
Huh? You've already *received* your items? I'm still waiting for the promised invoice on my high bids (as promised by the Auction House via e-mail). What's taking so long? I'd love to get my stuff in hand, too. Bernie |
DSeuss5490
Member Posts: 299
From: Columbus, Ohio USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 11-19-2003 01:03 PM
They sent me an email on Monday with the details, but I had already shipped payment to them last week. I included $25.00 for postage as an estimate. I never thought it would cost more than that to ship a book and a couple of small items (I lucked out with the LB7 dime), but they told me that $25.00 most certainly would not be enough for postage and insurance. |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
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posted 11-19-2003 01:44 PM
Let me point out that I asked them not to invoice me. I simply let them use my credit card which was on file. The invoice is the proper route, but I had faith that everything would be okay, and it was. In fact, I had never had a problem in the past. ------------------
Warm Regards Douglas Henry Enjoy yourself and have fun.... it is only a hobby! |
skippy in space
Member Posts: 251
From: Aberdeen Scotland
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-28-2003 03:23 AM
Last week got an e-mail from Maureen saying invoices would be sent this week, Responded with can you charge the cc and ship it if possible e-mail sent last Friday UK time.
Items arrived Wednesday Morning via DHL after being despathed on Monday US time. Tracking number was suplied.Couldn't fault them for this and for once the UK VAT man left me alone Ian |
gliderpilotuk
Member Posts: 3398
From: London, UK
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-28-2003 03:42 PM
quote:
Originally posted by skippy in space:
Couldn't fault them for this and for once the UK VAT man left me alone Ian[/B]
Ian, Don't count your chickens. With DHL shipping DHL pays over the duty and VAT to HMC&E and then reclaims it back from you. I'd expect an invoice from them in a couple of weeks time, so don't go spending!
I haven't even had an invoice yet!
Paul Bramley
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