|
Author
|
Topic: People's reaction upon seeing your collection?
|
FinalFrontier
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
|
posted 11-02-2010 12:20 PM
   
What do people usually say or do when they see your collection? Any funny or interesting stories? |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 11-02-2010 03:08 PM
Funny you should ask that. A few people at work know that amongst other hobbies and interests I'm interested in spaceflight and its history. So they asked me to bring some items into work. I took some flown pieces in which they were interested in and wanted to know about. They always come to me now if they want any information. Although they do always kid me about buying space debris etc! |
Aztecdoug
Member Posts: 1405
From: Huntington Beach
Registered: Feb 2000
|
posted 11-02-2010 07:47 PM
My boss says... I bet you know what you paid for every last space trinket in your collection but you don't know what we have in the budget for line item xyz off the top of your head!My wife's friends say... well at least he isn't into strippers. |
Rob Joyner
Member Posts: 1308
From: GA, USA
Registered: Jan 2004
|
posted 11-02-2010 08:54 PM
I have a 16x20 poster of the full Moon which is signed by one member of each manned lunar landing. At first most people are a little put off by its appearance and ask why most of the autographs were signed on the right side instead of utilizing the entire signable area. Then I tell them that's because I had the astronauts sign where they had landed on the Moon. That's when the 'oohs' and 'aahs' really start! |
randy
Member Posts: 2176
From: West Jordan, Utah USA
Registered: Dec 1999
|
posted 11-02-2010 08:57 PM
Wow! What a collection! |
Spacepsycho
Member Posts: 818
From: Huntington Beach, Calif.
Registered: Aug 2004
|
posted 11-02-2010 11:13 PM
I get two reactions:"Why does your wife allow you to have so much stuff?" and "Have you ever thought about opening a museum?" |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 11-03-2010 06:14 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Spacepsycho:
I get two reactions.
I get the same reactions and the answers are 1) She collects with me 2) It is a museum and currently admission is free, but any donations in the form of additional memorabilia are always welcome.  |
ApolloAlex
Member Posts: 390
From: Yeovil, England
Registered: Oct 2004
|
posted 11-03-2010 06:17 AM
Well for me it goes from one end of the spectrum to the other, a few have said that they don't understand why I waste my money, many use the obligatory geek comments and "geek voice" to poke fun but quite a few show an interest and like to chat about it.For me also I find it surprising that some also need to ask its material value, to which I reply that it is priceless and that I have at least spent the last ten years on this labour of love and the looks puzzlement can be quite amusing! |
Lunar rock nut
Member Posts: 911
From: Oklahoma city, Oklahoma U.S.A.
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 11-03-2010 06:54 AM
"You are sick." "Wow." "Neat." "Hmmmm... okay." Are the comments I hear most of the time. |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
|
posted 11-03-2010 08:06 AM
My wife sighs when she enters my office and she looks askance at me every time a package shows up at the door... Actually she's pretty supportive, as she remembers the excitement of growing up in the 1960's. She's no Mrs. Fred "GACSpaceGuy" Karst, though! She likes the photos, toys, and gadgets, but she doesn't get the autograph thing at all. ("Autographs have no intrinsic value.")My mom recently moved into long term care, and my siblings and I have spent the last month going through her apartment to sort out the 1% "must save" from the 99% "has to go." That of course makes me wonder what my kids will think about my collection when I'm gone. I asked my wife what mementos she would want to keep to remember me. I was touched that she said she would keep one of my Firing Room control panels, as I had so much fun restoring them! |
mmmoo
Member Posts: 551
From: London, England
Registered: May 2001
|
posted 11-03-2010 09:05 AM
The one I get the most is...How do you know that item flew to the moon? Me: Because the Astronaut has written on it, 'Flown to the Moon...' How do you know? Anyone could have written that... Me: Because I recognize the handwriting and signature How do you know somebody didnt fake the writing? Me: Because I bought it from a major Auction where the Astronaut consigned items direct from his collection. How do know the auction house didn't get tricked by a fake astronaut? Me: The item came with a photo of the astronaut holding the item How do you know that is the actual astronaut in the photo? Me: Do you want to leave this room now and see the garden instead?! |
dfox
Member Posts: 208
From: Scarsdale, NY, United States
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 11-03-2010 09:14 AM
A number of my male friends have brought over their kids for a viewing/history session. This is a real pleasure. They all know who Neil Armstrong is.My wife wants to know when I am going to stop accumulating "all this cr-p." I have advised my family that when I die (no time soon hopefully) that they should MAKE CERTAIN that this stuff is not thrown away. We'll see what happens (well I won't actually). |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 11-03-2010 01:13 PM
When someone comes into my house, my Skylab and earlier collection is what they are greeted with in the living room. The dining room is Shuttle, and the family room is aviation. I guess I never really get too many comments, maybe they are in silent disbelief - kind of like not staring or acknowledging someone that has a big growth on the side of their head, or not staring at the guy with a missing leg or something. Sometimes someone will show some curiosity, and I'll give them a tour. I think the ones that really make me sad are the friends of my girlfriend's daughter that come over. You would expect teenage boys to see models and say "ooh cool!", but no... they don't notice anything and just head for the Nintendo.  |
ejectr
Member Posts: 1751
From: Killingly, CT
Registered: Mar 2002
|
posted 11-03-2010 02:43 PM
The best reactions I've had to my collection were from Harrison Schmitt and Alan Bean. When asked to sign the inside cover of my pilot log book that contained other aviation legends as well as astronuats and space workers, Harrison Schmitt struck up a conversation about the 1946 Globe Swift I flew. Alan Bean flipped through it from page to page to see the flights I had taken and remarked on a couple of them.Nothing like good aeronautical conversation. They both eagerly and willingly signed. |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-03-2010 03:24 PM
I guess most of the reactions I get are along the lines "hmmm... cool." People seem to scan thru it all, not really looking closely at anything. It's mostly other collectors that really like to check it out. This interest we share in historic manned spaceflight represents a pretty small segment of the population. |
stsmithva
Member Posts: 1933
From: Fairfax, VA, USA
Registered: Feb 2007
|
posted 11-03-2010 07:53 PM
One common reaction I've had to my flown artifacts, from my students to my friends, is "Where do you GET this stuff?" A lot of them are surprised that anything flown in space could be owned by a private individual. |
SpaceAholic
Member Posts: 4437
From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-03-2010 07:57 PM
"How many times have the Fed's payed you a visit?" |
David Bryant
Member Posts: 986
From: Norfolk UK
Registered: Feb 2005
|
posted 11-08-2010 03:23 AM
Like most people on here: I wouldn't tend to have friends who weren't at least somewhat knowledgeable about / interested in aerospace...My personal collection includes lots of flown Apollo stuff as well as SR-71, NF-104 etc etc. My friends / relatives generally ask to see the collection when they're round. I think the most popular bits are the V2 and SR-71 items. |
Fezman92
Member Posts: 1031
From: New Jersey, USA
Registered: Mar 2010
|
posted 11-08-2010 06:26 AM
I don't have a large collection, but most people say "If it makes you happy". I am also a huge WWII buff so they are really amazed about all the WWII stuff I have collected. Everyone who sees my collections are really impressed by my original WWII US Army helmet signed by a Pearl Harbor survivor, an Iwo Jima Vet, a Navy vet who saw Churchill and Roosevelt, and a Vietnam vet. I'm trying to get John Glenn to sign it once I get the chance. |
Tykeanaut
Member Posts: 2212
From: Worcestershire, England, UK.
Registered: Apr 2008
|
posted 11-17-2010 09:44 AM
Sometimes people almost seem puzzled that you have hobbies/interests. Perhaps they do not and cannot understand others that do? |
Shuttleman
Member Posts: 117
From: Huntsville, Al. USA
Registered: Mar 2007
|
posted 11-19-2010 05:11 PM
I just had an exhibit of my one-of-a-kind astronaut autographed Shuttle models. Most people said "Where did you find time to make these beautiful models? In reflection I'm amazed at the time invested in my passion... It was worth every minute to me! |
Henk Boshuijer
Member Posts: 450
From: Netherlands
Registered: May 2007
|
posted 11-19-2010 06:00 PM
I have a few display cabinets in my office, where I keep my space models and souvenirs that I picked up in the past four decades. Actually nobody sees my collection because my friends are not really big space fans. My wife supports my hobby, but she has no interest in spaceflight. But every week there is a moment that I sit down and look at my collection. Those moments are very precious to me. Every model or item brings back memories. I hope my son (now 8 years old) will develop an interest in spaceflight. I am really looking forward on sharing some stories with him about the items I have in my display cases. |
drjeffbang
Member Posts: 110
From: Virginia
Registered: Nov 2009
|
posted 11-21-2010 06:34 PM
Could we see some pictures of these collections? |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 11-22-2010 03:23 PM
quote:
Originally posted by drjeffbang:
Could we see some pictures of these collections?
Okay, here is a look at my cry for help!The model cabinet and bookshelf full of autographed books. The "Wall of fame." A bunch of autographed photos down the hallway. Another wall of stuff on the other side of the living room. My 1/96 Saturn V above the couch. Kind of getting a little yellow with age. The dining room is full of shuttle stuff. Signed photos, flown parts... and other stuff. That's a small peek. I should show a close up of my models and other things in the cabinets. I also have an aviation theme to my family room. I'm pretty messed up, but I like my toys! |
MrSpace86
Member Posts: 1618
From: Gardner, KS, USA
Registered: Feb 2003
|
posted 11-22-2010 05:10 PM
I always get the "how much does all this cost?" "Why do you spend your money on this?"I get more rude comments as the ones mentioned than actual compliments. But guess what? It's my money and I do what I please with it! And it's great when people actually respect that and admire your collection. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 11-23-2010 01:39 PM
quote:
Originally posted by MrSpace86:
I get more rude comments as the ones mentioned than actual compliments.
Rude comments? I just wouldn't invite those people over again! Some people (probably more than I know) just don't "get it". |
Shuttleman
Member Posts: 117
From: Huntsville, Al. USA
Registered: Mar 2007
|
posted 11-23-2010 03:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by drjeffbang:
Could we see some pictures of these collections?
This was taken on November 3, 2010 at Marshall's Shuttle Pride Day with a NASA buddy of mine... |
fredtrav
Member Posts: 1673
From: Birmingham AL
Registered: Aug 2010
|
posted 11-23-2010 03:57 PM
While my signed books take up most of one of the bookshelves in the living room, I have not displayed my photos. When I bought several new ones including a very young Schmitt and a Swigert signed photo, I took them out and showed them to my 17 year old son who thought they were pretty cool. He then surprised me by bringing down an autograph by Harrison Schmitt he got in school. It seems Harrison Schmitt had spoken at his school about 8-9 years ago and had signed a slip of paper for him and he has kept it safe (very surprising looking at his room that he would even know where it was) since then. |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 11-23-2010 04:40 PM
Am I the only one who watches "Hoarders" and thinks, "Wow, that looks cool!"?Here's some of my X-plane stuff:  |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
|
posted 11-23-2010 05:27 PM
I know what you mean Russ. The TV show makes the hoarders look a little off beat or something. What's up with that? |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 11-24-2010 03:45 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Gilbert:
The TV show makes the hoarders look a little off beat or something.
We are okay. We can't be official hoarders until we have cat poo between our boosters. |
dss65
Member Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003
|
posted 11-26-2010 09:48 PM
I have a few of my items in my office at work. The most common reaction I get is, "Did you used to work for NASA?" Every now and then, though, I get, "Were you an astronaut?!" (Since my collection focuses on the Space Race era, I guess that ages me.) I explain that, no, I'm only a fan and a collector, but it is kind of cool. I can't remember any negative comments, but maybe people are being polite. |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-01-2010 04:46 PM
I just put some of my stuff online at spaceracerelics.com/collection. There are hotspots in some of the images. You can click on some items to see a closer view. Nothing fancy, just something I threw together. |
tegwilym
Member Posts: 2331
From: Sturgeon Bay, WI
Registered: Jan 2000
|
posted 12-02-2010 12:50 PM
I have a bunch of space photos and a few space related things in my cubicle at work. Nothing of value here, all that is at home.People at work know me as the company space and aviation geek. I don't mind that at all! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-02-2010 12:58 PM
A cable network's production crew and show host is scheduled to arrive here at 2:30 p.m. to see/film the collectSPACE collection... I'll let you know afterwards their reaction. |
Russ Still
Member Posts: 535
From: Atlanta, GA USA
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-02-2010 03:31 PM
Excellent, Robert. Looking forward to the report. Got any pictures of your layout?
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-02-2010 05:32 PM
Three-man camera crew, show host and producer were all (I believe) duly impressed by what they saw. They all had a good deal of off-camera questions about the artifacts they were not filming, which I interpreted as their having a genuine interest in the history. I'll share details about what show it was for and how to tune-in for the segment once an airdate has been set. Here are a few quickly-taken photographs:    
|
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 12-02-2010 05:33 PM
   
|
AstroAutos
Member Posts: 803
From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland
Registered: Mar 2009
|
posted 12-02-2010 05:49 PM
One word - Wow! |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
|
posted 12-02-2010 06:27 PM
Very nice Robert. The Lucites are impressive and the Coke/Pepsi collection is something to be envious of. Thanks so much for sharing and will be looking for the full story. |
advertisement