Posts: 172 From: Los Altos an SF, CA, United States Registered: Sep 2011
posted 07-02-2024 04:57 PM
Sotheby's Space Exploration sale with 75 lots just went live here.
The auction runs through July 18, 2024.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53057 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-02-2024 08:22 PM
Almost as good as the Apollo command module main parachute is the story behind the photos accompanying it. From Steven Smith (via Facebook), about a day at the elementary school where teaches:
Yes, that is an Apollo command module main parachute, in all its 83-feet-diameter, almost-200-pounds nylon glory. Tags with 1960's notes attached to it, and serial numbers that match NASA records, show that it was used for drop tests with boilerplate CMs before the Apollo missions.
I got it at an auction a few years ago, and it's been in a crate ever since. Before I consign it to an auction this summer, I just had to get some photos (especially aerial). A hundred students happily volunteered to help.
I was delighted to see that the entire thing is in excellent condition - amazingly clean and bright. (I was glad I had the student volunteers all wash their hands first.) I also got lots of close-up photos of labels and serial numbers. Getting it neatly back in the box went quite smoothly.
A great, fun day for me as a teacher and a space collector. Adorably, student after student thanked me throughout the rest of the day for letting them take part! After they spent their recess standing there to help me! I'm going to print a paper with these photos for each of them.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 5391 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-02-2024 09:24 PM
The 86-4 drop test was executed post qualification of the CM ELS/Parachutes (vice an early test). NASA had additional parachutes and funding following the conclusion of the test regime to gather some data for application in potential future programs.
Lot 7 model appears to be a piston driven internal combustion (possibly marine diesel) engine vice rocket propulsion affiliated.
This is the only Grade 10 Armstrong WSS photo that Steve Zarelli has reviewed so far. He published a video especially for this photo:
As the consignor, I can confirm that this lot is the photo from this video. So it's a unique opportunity for collectors. I hope it ends up in good hands.
DG27 Member
Posts: 271 From: USA Registered: Nov 2010
posted 07-13-2024 12:25 PM
For auction lots 26 to 30, does anyone know when (and how) these LM Activation Checklist sheets were used on the lunar surface?
Cassandra Hatton Member
Posts: 57 From: New York, NY, USA Registered: Apr 2016
posted 07-13-2024 03:19 PM
In addition to our online Space Exploration sale, which closes on Thursday, July 18th, we are also offering an excellent selection of meteorites in our live Natural History auction which takes place on Wednesday, July 17th at 10 am ET. You may view the full catalogue on our website here.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to either myself, or my colleague Adam Stackhouse (adam.stackhouse@sothebys.com) with any questions you may have.
------------------ Cassandra Hatton Senior Vice President, Global Head & Senior Specialist Science & Popular Culture Sotheby's (212) 894-2342 cassandra.hatton@sothebys.com
DG27 Member
Posts: 271 From: USA Registered: Nov 2010
posted 07-14-2024 03:01 PM
quote:Originally posted by DG27: ...does anyone know when (and how) these LM Activation Checklist sheets were used on the lunar surface?
One might want to look at the Apollo 11 Lunar Surface Checklist located here and in particular pages SUR-49 through 60 dealing with star sighting to calibrate navigation systems, rendezvous radar tests, ICDU angles, attitude control jets tests, and more tasks preformed prior to lunar liftoff.
StuartFL New Member
Posts: 4 From: Stuart, FL USA Registered: Apr 2012
posted 07-18-2024 02:48 PM
Can someone help me understand the Sotheby's auction today? I know Sotheby's always gets high bids, but today was insane. I do not believe the bidders always understand what they are bidding on.
Lot 31, Flag 6" x 4" Flown to the Moon and signed by Buzz Aldrin sold for $90,000 ($108,000 with BP). The description was clear, if you understand it. It was flown in Columbia "to the Moon" not by Eagle to the Moon's surface. $90,000 seems like a LOT to me.
Lot 50, a 16" x 20" color photo of the Moon inscribed by Lovell "Houston we've had a problem/ James Vovell/ Apollo 13 CDR" sold for - are you ready? - $170,000!! ($204,000 with BP) Are you kidding me? Lovell is still alive and it's just a color photo.
Am I missing something?
MartinAir Member
Posts: 410 From: Registered: Oct 2020
posted 07-18-2024 04:31 PM
New KIDS on the block. Everything seems like a bargain compared to that contemporary photo, congrats to the consignor.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53057 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-18-2024 05:10 PM
Not necessarily new, maybe just in a different market.
The luxury market, to which Sotheby's caters, works differently than the collectors' market. It is driven, in part, by bragging rights and there is nothing to boast about a $100 autograph. But a $204,000 print? That is a discussion piece.
StuartFL New Member
Posts: 4 From: Stuart, FL USA Registered: Apr 2012
posted 07-19-2024 12:58 PM
Rob, you make an excellent point, guess I'm just naive. You'd think someone would do some research before they would buy. Heck, at these prices, I must have about 2 million in my collected photos, which I spent (maybe) a $1,000 on!
Axman Member
Posts: 580 From: Derbyshire UK Registered: Mar 2023
posted 07-19-2024 01:15 PM
Basically it comes down to the fact that rich people with more money than sense believe everything that their investment portfolio manager tells them.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 53057 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 07-19-2024 02:05 PM
It's not necessarily about making investments.
Think of it like going out to a Michelin Star restaurant when it isn't your birthday or anniversary. You just go to treat yourself to a great meal.
You know you can get similar food for less, you want the experience (which you will be quick to tell your friends) and you want to feel special.
It may be the same thing here: the high bidder may have no expectation of recouping what s/he spent and knows similar items are available for less. They just wanted this particular photo and could afford to buy it.
That does not make them any less intelligent or savvy. They are just a different type of buyer.
Ken Havekotte Member
Posts: 3854 From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard Registered: Mar 2001
posted 07-19-2024 02:40 PM
Wow! Just saw this posting with the sold Sotheby's July 2nd space auction of 75 lots. That Apollo Block II Command Module main parachute looks like one that I had many years ago of that same size and type. It's no longer with me but hopefully this one in auction will be going to a good home, rather it was mine originally or not, but more likely not my own.
Also noted the whopping $204K (with BP) that was of a 16"x20" lunar photo signed by Lovell with that famous quotation, "Houston, we've had a problem," with only five words signed by Lovell during a commercial event.
Well, heck, just for the fun of it, note the photo below of an official NASA 8"x10" WSS portrait of the veteran Gemini and Apollo astronaut pioneer. This was done for me in a private signing in which I had Captain Lovell inscribe, "April 13, 1970 — "Houston, we've had a problem ... a main B bus under volt," signed by James Lovell with "Apollo 13 Commander."
Soooo — any takers (lol)!!! Maybe Sotheby's might be seeing this cS-post thread, but since their larger picture was of an orbital lunar scene from Apollo 13 instead of a Lovell self-portrait, maybe that's why Lot #50 went so high (just crazy huh)?
NJSPACEFAN Member
Posts: 132 From: Ocala, FL USA Registered: Dec 2000
posted 07-20-2024 11:51 AM
Just remember it takes a minimum of two bidders to drive up that price to $204k; and probably a couple of more in the early stages.
I've been to a couple of auctions at Sothebys and Christies in Rare books and Manuscripts that two bidders just would not relent - in two auctions it was Malcolm Forbes vs. a cashed in hedge fund investor turned dealer who went after a couple of items and Forbes would prevail, but I kept looking at the new guy on the block and just shook my head "what is he thinking of" when the final bids were out of whack.
Could be the same thing here, two bidders staring each other down, neither wishes to relent. But certainly two with no sense of the true value.
StuartFL New Member
Posts: 4 From: Stuart, FL USA Registered: Apr 2012
posted 07-20-2024 12:08 PM
Yes, excellent point, it takes two bidders, could be more, but the losing bidder actually causes the high bid. Auction houses usually treat high losing bidders with the same perks as wining bidders.
I always thought it a bit odd, that in an auction, the high bidder is just the person willing to pay more than anyone else for an item.
Axman Member
Posts: 580 From: Derbyshire UK Registered: Mar 2023
posted 07-20-2024 12:51 PM
I'm not understanding your points.
In what way do "auction houses treat high losing bidders with the same perks as winning bidders"?The under-bidder certainly doesn't come away with the goods, nor are they compensated monetarily by the auctioneer. I'm not sure I can think of more 'perks' than that.
And in what possible way is it "odd" that the winning bidder is the person prepared to pay more? Are you suggesting that there should be some kind of points system that adjusts monetary bids against success/interest/disability/nepotism etc.?
hidaleeho Member
Posts: 86 From: Denver, Colorado, USA Registered: Dec 2011
posted 09-04-2024 03:03 PM
Interesting that I just looked through the lots and the Lovell image is not shown at all.
Looks like it was too good to be true?
Has anyone ever had problems collecting from Sotheby's after a sale?
Cassandra Hatton Member
Posts: 57 From: New York, NY, USA Registered: Apr 2016
posted 09-06-2024 03:54 PM
The photo in question is still on our website, and can be seen here.
If you have any issues collecting your purchases, always most effective to reach out directly to myself at cassandra.hatton@sothebys.com or to my colleague Adam at adam.stackhouse@sothebys.com.
posted 07-02-2024 04:57 PM
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