posted 01-19-2018 10:42 AM               

Space is our strongest-performing genre, with a lot of excitement around it. In 2017, more than half of our Top 10 sales overall at auction were items relating to space exploration.

Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Cartier solid gold Lunar Module replica was the No. 1 space-related item sale for 2017, No. 2 over all categories, attaining a price of $149,862.

We enjoyed our recent podcast with collectSPACE founder Robert Pearlman. He shared great stories about his incredible career arc working in the field of space exploration.

We were so happy to work with collectSPACE member Dan Schaiewitz to present his collection in October; his Apollo 11 PLSS-worn NASA "meatball" Beta cloth patch from Neil Armstrong's thermal cover sold at auction for $19,327.

More of Dan's exciting firsthand artifacts will be featured in April, along with more incredible items from Aerolite Meteorites. Also in high demand are artifacts including flown items, autographs, signed documents, photos, training materials, clothing, equipment and hardware, and more.

posted 03-20-2018 12:18 PM               

Our first standout offering is a superb archive of 26 items related to Dr. Wernher von Braun's iconic "Man Will Conquer Space Soon!" series, which appeared in Collier's magazine between 1952 and 1954. The astounding archive includes 17 drawings and schematics, two orbital diagrams, four calculations and graph plots, and three autograph letters. All relate to four of the Collier's articles: "Crossing the Last Frontier," "Man on the Moon: The Journey," "Man on the Moon: The Exploration" and "Baby Space Station." These four Collier's magazines are also included.

Read about the von Braun collection here; see the collection catalog here.

We're also pleased to present a selection of items from legendary astronaut, Gen. Tom Stafford. Flown items include an impressive large American flag, as well as a Fliteline gold medal, beta patch and Robbins medallions. Proceeds from Gen. Stafford's historic firsthand artifacts will benefit renovation and expansion efforts for the Stafford Air & Space Museum.

Read about the Stafford Air & Space Museum improvement plan here; see Gen. Stafford's auction collection here.

Another history-making astronaut, Buzz Aldrin, is represented with this truly exceptional flown double-sided star chart from the Apollo 11 Lunar Module Guidance and Navigation Dictionary, carried to the lunar surface aboard the LM Eagle. This museum-worthy lot also includes a custom-made book offering further information on the star chart and the methods of celestial navigation used during the Apollo program, as well as images of Aldrin with the page.

See more on this featured item here.

Another way RR Auction is partnering with organizations who help curate space exploration history and take it into the next generation: We're proud to be a sponsor of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation.

This auction will include items from the personal collection of Jack King, who served as the Kennedy Space Center Chief of Public Information during projects Mercury, Gemini and Apollo. King provided public announcements and commentary for several of the mission launches, including the announcement of the Apollo 11 launch, which earned him the nickname "Voice of Apollo." Proceeds will benefit the ASF.

Read about RR and ASF's teaming up here; see the relevant auction items here.

Building on our inaugural offering's success, we're again presenting more than two dozen exemplary meteorites from our friend Geoff Notkin – author, adventurer and star of "Meteorite Men." Notkin has hand-picked these truly remarkable specimens, giving you the opportunity to possess and curate a museum-quality space relic of your own.

Hear our most recent podcast with Notkin here; see the meteorite collection here.

RR is also honored to present select firsthand artifacts from history-making astronauts Alan Bean and Dave Scott, as well as impressive items from well-respected Space collector Ken Havekotte.

posted 04-13-2018 07:21 PM               

RR Auction offers many select collections in space auction

Space Shuttle external tank nose cone assembly

RR Auction's current space auction (April 12-19) features many important collections. Selected artifacts from astronauts Dave Scott, Alan Bean and Gen. Tom Stafford are presented, as well as items from NASA Apollo mission engineer Dan Schaiewitz.

Additionally, there's an exciting selection of meteorites offered from Geoff Notkin and Aerolite Meteorites.

Listen to Geoff Notkin talk about meteorites.

There's also an archive of original source illustrations and scientific information created by Dr. Wernher von Braun, for a Collier Magazine's series that speculated on man's journey into space.

Amy Bean grew up in Nassau Bay, a neighborhood of astronaut families that included her father Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon. Amy spoke with RR Auction in a recent podcast, about her thrilling time of growing up in that pivotal moment in history, as chronicled in her blog site, "Moonwalker Daughter."

RR was so happy to welcome collectSPACE member Dan Schaiewitz and wife Nilda during a recent office visit. Dan's first-hand stories of working on the Apollo missions are so fascinating; we could have listened for hours! We're pleased to assist him in another offering of artifacts seeking a collector to curate them.

Listen to Dan Schaiewitz talk about Apollo.

This space auction also features two collections that seek to help curate space history for future generations, as well as train that generation to push space exploration even further. The Gen. Tom Stafford Collection will help restore and and refresh the Stafford Air and Space Museum; and all proceeds from the sale of our ASF collection of items will help the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation fund the young people who will lead us in future advancements in STEM. Your purchases can make a big difference for these fine organizations.

In addition to these specific collections, there are many incredible flown artifacts, including this beautiful Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 lunar surface-flown double star chart.

Auction ends Thursday, April 19.

posted 04-23-2018 10:29 AM               

Wernher von Braun 'Man Will Conquer Space Soon' Archive sells for $98,644 at auction

An archive of signed drawings, diagrams, charts, and letters by Dr. Wernher von Braun sold for $98,644 according to Boston-based RR Auction.

The archive concerning his pioneering "Man Will Conquer Space Soon" series is comprised of a total of 26 items that include; 17 drawings and schematics, two orbital diagrams, four calculations and graph plots, and three autographed letters. All relate to four of the Collier's articles: "Crossing the Last Frontier," "Man on the Moon: The Journey," "Man on the Moon: The Exploration," and "Baby Space Station," which appeared in in the magazine between 1952 and 1954. Also includes the four issues of Collier's magazine associated with the items in the archive.

Von Braun prepared the original drawings in this archive as reference materials for magazine artists Chesley Bonestell, Fred Freeman, and Rolf Klep, and most are evident as the direct inspiration for the illustrations that grace the pages of Collier's in the "Man Will Conquer Space Soon!" series. Von Braun's skillful drawings are filled with engineering detail to provide the magazine illustrators with scientifically accurate renderings of the spaceships of the future.

In its introduction to the series, Collier's makes clear: "What you will read here is not science fiction." Von Braun's vision was not only fantastic, but scientifically viable—his copious scientific notes and calculations are proof.

The Collier's series drew widespread attention to von Braun's vision of manned spaceflight — after the success of the first issue, he appeared on TV and radio shows around the nation to discuss the subject. He was soon recruited by Walt Disney, and served as a technical advisor for three TV films about space exploration between 1955 and 1957. These broadcasts brought the idea of the space program into American living rooms nationwide.

"It's an amazing archive that capture's Von Braun's vision that was not only fantastic but scientifically viable — his detailed scientific notes and calculations are proof," said Bobby Livingston, Executive VP at RR Auction. "I'm not surprised that the archive was able to achieve such an impressive figure with so much renewed interest in the American space program.

Highlights from the sale include, but are not limited by:

• Buzz Aldrin's Apollo 11 Lunar Surface-Flown Double Star Chart sold for $50,618.

• Dave Scott's Apollo 15 Lunar Surface-Flown Combined Lunar Roving Vehicle "Photo" and "Contour" Maps sold for $49,889.

• Collection of 109 Shuttle Robbins medallions sold for $49,000.

• Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 Lunar Surface-Used Rover Map sold for $45,353.

• Apollo 1 fully signed crew photograph sold for $34,549.

• Dave Scott's Lunar Surface-Used Lunar Module Malfunction Procedures Manual sold for $30,202.

The Space and Aviation Auction from RR Auction began on April 12 and concluded on April 19.

posted 04-23-2018 12:32 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by denali414:
...now have to wait on this "30 minute rule."

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posted 05-03-2018 10:40 AM               

Spectacular Space auction results – and a great testimonial

RR Auction is always so pleased to work with NASA engineer and collectSPACE member Daniel Schaiewitz; we guess the feeling is mutual, because he and wife Nilda were kind enough to drive over to see us in New Hampshire so Dan could film this incredible testimonial video, below.

RR Auction's April Space auction was another smashing success, as important space exploration artifacts were obtained by passionate collectors.

The top lot was a superb archive of 26 items by Dr. Wernher von Braun related to the iconic "Man Will Conquer Space Soon!" series, which appeared in Collier's Magazine between 1952 and 1954, which achieved a final sales price of $98,644.

Astronaut-validated flown artifacts did extremely well in the auction. An incredible Apollo 11 lunar surface-flown double star chart, signed and flight-certified by Buzz Aldrin, garnered $50,618. Dave Scott's signed and certified Apollo 15 lunar surface-flown combined LRV 'Photo' and 'Contour' maps were purchased for $49,889. Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 lunar surface-used Rover map achieved $45,353.

A unique collection of 109 unflown Space Shuttle Robbins medallions — 102 sterling silver medals and 7 rare pre-production bronze examples — went for $49,000.

With nearly two dozen items in this auction, NASA engineer and collectSPACE member Daniel Schaiewitz had a great showing. His top sold artifact in April was a spiral-bound training cuff checklist personally worn and used by Apollo 15 LMP Jim Irwin and Schaiewitz, which sold for $4,577. One of Dan's items received some rather amusing press.

We're currently acquiring for our next Space auction, slated for October. Consignments are requested to be in-house by July 17. Please contact us for your free appraisal.