posted 03-09-2005 12:06 AM               

The following highlights from their 377 space lots were selected by Superior's staff. Lot descriptions are from their catalog. The full auction catalog can also be viewed online by clicking here.

Lot Number: 1670
1962 Mercury 7 Autographs Complete

All seven signatures Carpenter. Cooper, Glenn, Grissom, Schirra, Shepard & Slayton on an 8"x10" black & white composite reproduction of their portraits in civilian clothes. Each signed beneath his picture in blue fountain pen ink. Seldom do we see all seven of our first astronauts on single piece, even more seldom are their signatures so clear in pen rather than felt tip. A wonderful piece, worthy of the finest collection.

Lot Number: 1696
1969 Armstrong, Aldrin & Collins Signed Photo

Color 8"x10" photo on Kodak professional paper signed by all three with the same blue pen. Uninscribed, white space suit photos are quite desirable. Pristine condition.

Lot Number: 1734
1971 Jim Irwin’s Flown Personal Preference Kit (PPK)

posted 03-09-2005 12:07 AM               

Lot Number: 1735
1971 Crew Signed Flown To The Moon Cover

Clean & attractive cover carried aboard Apollo 15 to surface of the Moon, signed by all three crew members Dave Scott, Al Worden & Jim Irwin. They have also signed notarized certificate of authenticity included with the cover. The ultimate in Space philately - a cover that has actually been to the surface of the Moon! Very fine.

Lot Number: 1739
1972 Flown to the Lunar Surface Beta Cloth Patch

Charlie Duke has written following on pristine 9"x9" beta cloth Apollo 16 mission emblem patch:

"An Apollo 16 Lunar Surface Mission Emblem",
"This emblem, symbolizing mankind's fifth lunar landing, accompanied John Young & myself to the Cayley Plains of the moon aboard our lunar module "Orion", Remaining on the lunar surface from April 20-23, 1972".

This is a rare item in perfect condition. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Signed photo of Charlie Duke holding this piece included (signature a bit smeared on photo).

Lot Number: 1744
1972 Flown Beef Sandwiches

posted 03-09-2005 12:07 AM               

Lot Number: 1745
1972 Flown Apollo 17 Patch

Oversized, initialed Apollo 17 patch (made only for this mission) with initials GC plus extra star sewn into blue background above shoulder. Signed on the back and hand notated by him FLOWN ON APOLLO XVII on the reverse. Pristine condition. RARE and quite desirable.

Lot Number: 1817
1930s Tsiolkovsky Handwritten & Signed Text

One page written on both sides by Tsiolkovsky with wonderful drawings on both sides including man flying in space. Text discusses space travel. Full signature at bottom. International Public Charitable Foundation for Support of Russian Cosmonauts Cert.

Lot Number: 1827
1960s Ten Cosmonauts Signed Photo

posted 03-09-2005 12:07 AM               

Lot Number: 1860
1990s Flown Sokol Presure Gloves

Each with initials LAI (indicating flown) standing for Lazutkin Alexander Ivanovich , member of both TM-25 and TM-34 crews. Initials located below blue anodized cuff, black rubber fingers and black leather palm. Important addition to any collection.

Lot Number: 1916
1999 Group Of 44 Astronauts Signatures
All 44 members of this magnificent fraternity. Three members of this class (William McCool, David Brown & Laurel Clark), perished when STS-107 disintegrated. Light blue card stock with all signatures in black fine tip. Scarce & very desirable. Will look fantastic framed.

Lot Number: 1932
1965 Gagarin Training Centrifuge Presentation Model

Scale model of actual centrifuge located at Center of Cosmonaut s Training in Star City, 7½"x4", mounted on 7¾"x%1/8" circular base. Presentation plaque reads (From) Center of Cosmonaut s Training of Yu. A. Gagarin. Model was most likely made at Energia in Korolev City. Cabin of centrifuge moves in four directions. We have never seen a model like this before. Quite valuable and of good quality.

posted 03-09-2005 04:59 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Lot Number: 1860
1990s Flown Sokol Presure Gloves

Each with initials LAI (indicating flown) standing for Lazutkin Alexander Ivanovich , member of both TM-25 and TM-34 crews.

---

What a terrible BS... this "flown" attribute is really turning into a disease lately!

Since when do initials indicate the "flown" status of a Russian glove?

posted 03-09-2005 06:02 AM               

In my opinion there are only two ways to know if a Sokol or Orlan glove has flown status:

1. Buy it directly from Cosmonaut (e.g. via Alex Panchenko who always provides photos of the items being in space station!)
   
2. Flown gloves mostly have stamps on them (these stamps are also used for Postal memorabilia if I'm not mistaken) ...but I once heard that even these stamps are available to "clever untrust-worthy dealers"

posted 03-09-2005 09:22 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by spaceflori:
Hmm...that is an interesting approach to verify if something is flown.

---

posted 03-09-2005 10:38 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Philip:
...but I once heard that even these stamps are available to "clever untrust-worthy dealers"

---

Otherwise agree with you, buy them from the cosmonaut itself or through somebody like Alex - there is no better choice out there.

posted 03-17-2005 08:04 AM               

Since we "know" that two PPKs were left behind in the LM (one for Irwin and one for Scott), and that one PPK that was on the moon was retruned to Earth (which had the stamp covers that got them in trouble) what could have happened? My conclusion is that the Stowage List omitted the two PPKs that did not return, which were Scott's LM and Irwins's CM PPKs. It is not unusual for this otherwise accurate official document to omit things related to the astronauts. So, if you have more specific information about the Apollo 15 PPKs, that would be great.

posted 03-26-2005 12:41 PM               

The 9 Apr 2005 space memorabilia auction catalog is printed in an interesting format - Lots #1 - #1638, featuring classic US & British singles, sets and covers, is printed on pp. #1-135 (including 58 pages of illustrations in FULL COLOR). The 2001 and 2002 auctions were also profusely illustrated, but in B&W after each lot description. Turning the 2005 catalog up-side-down, you find the Space Memorabilia Auction - Lots #1639-2260 (including 34 pages of illustrations in FULL COLOR).

Regency-Superior has discovered that "a picture (especially one in FULL COLOR) is worth a thousand words." It is fascinating looking at the lots and being amazed that these items even exist. Of course, seeing them in FULL COLOR makes the lots more desirable and more intriguing. This is a professionally prepared catalog designed to attract serious and knowledgeable collectors.

The Space Memorabilia section (Lots #1629 - Lot #1954) comprises 315 lots separated into sections by subject (balloons, rockets, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, X-15, Shuttle, etc.) and each lot in the section is listed by date. I will use this catalog often as a reference when writing articles for the "Astrophile" of the Space Unit. It will be interesting to see the prices realized for these amazing items.

posted 04-13-2005 03:45 AM               

Of the 12 items listed as "highlights" above, 6 did not sell (assuming the absence of a hammer price implies this) and one was withdrawn!

Oh, and the "rare" centrifuge is also in Aurora's catalogue.

Discuss.