Topic: [University Archives] Space programs (Jun 2024)
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-08-2024 08:16 AM
University Archives is offering some truly unique space memorabilia items in its upcoming sale.
How about one of the Lunar Module's triangular bulkhead windows – with the "Landing Point Designator" engraved on the window? These are the marking that the commander would use to bring the LM into a landing on the lunar surface. This is truly unique item and one not offered before.
Another rare item is an Apollo 1 crew checklist. At the time Apollo 1 was designated AS-204 and few of these checklists exist today.
Lot 159 is a red spacesuit oxygen outlet. An integral part of Apollo spacesuits. Lot 147 is a small piece of Alan Bean's spacesuit. Actually two pieces with the small piece from the outer layer now grey in color from exposure to the lunar surface.
An Apollo 8 Earthrise lithograph is autographed by Borman, Lovell, and Anders (who just passed away). It is inscribed to "Gary" one of the NASA engineers who worked on the mission. The mission control room engineer is also offering the headset he used in Mission Control for STS-1.
Neil Armstrong is represented with a couple of autographs. There is one Yuri Gagarin photo autographed 8 months after his flight.
The sale is on June 26, 2024 at 10am EDT. Here is the link to the auction, then look under two categories — "Space Programs" and "Space Astronaut Autographs".
randyc Member
Posts: 906 From: Denver, CO USA Registered: May 2003
posted 06-08-2024 11:18 AM
Lot 126 is identified as an Apollo 8 Earthrise photo. However it's a photo from the Apollo 10 mission. The red number is: AS10-27-3890. AS10 refers to Apollo Saturn 10.
NicDavies Member
Posts: 72 From: Tobermory, Argyll, Scotland Registered: Jan 2019
posted 06-09-2024 09:23 AM
Some cracking lots Sandy.
As for the three Gagarin items, I like Lot 150 (very unusual) and Lot 173 (odd that the text doesn't explain this is Vostok 1-6), but I'm afraid I'm very cool on Lot 171. The mixture of Gagarin with Korolev should always raise a red flag. If I were bidding on 171, I'd pass it in front of Steve Zarelli first.
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-16-2024 07:29 AM
A few more items to highlight in the upcoming University Archives sale.
Four lots with Apollo lunar surface maps. These includes maps for both Apollo 10 and 11, Orbital and Landmark maps in nice condition.
Flown Kapton from Apollo 13 and Apollo 11, an Apollo Block 1 space suit glove (the pressure restraint layer) and several meals of shuttle food packets. Take a look at these and other consignments. Also, the description for lot 126 has been corrected to indicate it is Apollo 10 photograph. (thanks).
The sale is on June 26th 10am EST. Click here then look under two categories — "Space Programs" and "Space Astronaut Autographs."
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5362 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-16-2024 08:07 AM
quote:Originally posted by SClarkson: an Apollo Block 1 space suit glove (the pressure restraint layer)
Third party COA for this item seems to be worthless. Mis-ID'd.
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-17-2024 06:20 PM
Not sure why you are saying the glove is misidentified. It comes from one of the original spacesuit engineers who identified it. If you have specific information to share please do so but just criticizing isn't very helpful. Thanks.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5362 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-17-2024 08:51 PM
EMU restraint layer (probably Phase VI). Sub-assembly (not the complete glove - so lot description claim of possible training use is also dubious).
NicDavies Member
Posts: 72 From: Tobermory, Argyll, Scotland Registered: Jan 2019
posted 06-18-2024 06:48 AM
As serious collectors, we should all be aiming to root out the items which bring our collecting field into disrepute. Further to my comment above, and aside from the known problems with anything featuring Gagarin and Korolev together (and/or Kruschev), here's why I don't like Lot 171. I note there are already bids on it, which you would expect if this was indeed jointly signed by both. Don't get me started on the supposed Popovich on this item, a mess of a signature which in itself should be sufficient to raise concerns.
The example shown here of a purported Gagarin signature on a Sputnik postcard, sold in 2019, is now a known fake for reasons I won't go into here. Please compare the annotation on this with the identical phrasing and extremely similar handwriting on the item being offered (Lot 171). The signature itself is also displaying known similarities.
The purported Korolev signature also bears a striking resemblance to known fakes. If anyone is interested, I can also post extra information on this.
I'm not blaming the auction houses as nobody can know everything there is to know about everything. However, perhaps in future, when offering material which is known to have attracted the fakers (Gagarin, Armstrong, Grissom, White, Anders etc etc), it seems a good idea that maybe auction houses either insist items come to them with industry-recognised authentication in place or the auction houses take responsibility to do this themselves (e.g. RR Auction).
I am always happy to be proved wrong, so please challenge my opinion if you think I am wrong because such discussion helps educate us all.
CJ Member
Posts: 93 From: Cherry Hill, NJ Registered: Nov 2003
posted 06-18-2024 08:24 PM
quote:Originally posted by SpaceAholic: EMU restraint layer (probably Phase VI).
The Phase VI EMU restraint layer bears a sewn-on ILC Dover ID label (part name, number, size, mfg date) on the back side. This restraint does not have such a label. The restraint does not appear to be from the Space Shuttle program based on numerous images I have compared it to.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5362 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-18-2024 09:50 PM
Label absence is consistent with my previous comment. The lotted EMU restraint layer is not a complete assemblage.
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-19-2024 02:53 PM
Lot 171 (the Gagarin, Popovich and Korolev autographs) has been withdrawn. As with any lot that has legitimate questions raised about it we remove the item from the auction. Thanks for your input.
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-19-2024 05:34 PM
Here is some clarification for lot 160, the Apollo Block 1 Spacesuit Glove — Pressure Restraint Layer. This is an Apollo "Block 1" glove, but as stated only the pressure restraint layer. Block 1 suits were adapted from the Gemini suits and were used in the early Apollo flights. (They were not used for the shuttle.)
I spoke to one of the early NASA spacesuit engineers who said he didn't know why there wasn't a label but it was not unheard of for some items in development to not have labels. There is no way to know if this portion of the glove was used in training. Hope this answers some of the questions raised.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 52626 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 06-19-2024 06:14 PM
I will preface this by saying that my knowledge of the Gemini/early Apollo spacesuit glove design is limited, but I can see why Scott is raising questions.
NASA decided to use the Gemini spacesuit for Apollo Block 1 Earth orbit missions in May 1964. The David Clark Company was awarded a contract to make whatever modifications were necessary to make the Gemini suit compatible with the Apollo command module.
The primary change to the glove design was to add fingertip-mounted red lights to aid viewing the controls in the command module.
From what I can see looking at photos of Gemini gloves and the few examples of Apollo Block 1 gloves, they did not have a separate restraint layer. The resizing straps were integrated into the outer layer of the Gemini/early Apollo gauntlet.
I cannot find an example of a Gemini/early Apollo restraint layer, prototype or otherwise. The Block II/A-IC gloves did not have separate restraint layers either (again, based on what I can see in photos).
Quoting the Smithsonian, the restraint layer was an addition made for the shuttle extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) so the gloves could be sized more specifically to the wearer.
My suggestion is that someone from University Archives should reach out to the David Clark Company and inquire if the glove is one of theirs. If it is not, then it is not from Apollo Block 1.
NicDavies Member
Posts: 72 From: Tobermory, Argyll, Scotland Registered: Jan 2019
posted 06-20-2024 04:20 AM
Regarding Lot 171, thanks Sandy, sorry to be the bearer! But if it's any consolation, I would definitely take a punt on the other two Gagarins if I was in buying mode at the moment. Others may disagree.
Hope the auction is a success.
SClarkson Member
Posts: 61 From: Fairfield, Registered: Sep 2012
posted 06-25-2024 06:24 AM
A few more items in this sale include some very nice autographs by Fred Haise. One is a beautiful circumnavigation chart of the Apollo 13 mission with several hand notations.
There are also two lots of Apollo 13 Kapton and one of Apollo 11 Kapton. And the Apollo mission maps including two lots from Apollo 11. Good luck.
posted 06-08-2024 08:16 AM
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