posted 02-27-2025 09:15 AM               

The five examples shown here were acquired many years ago and are all I have in this minor category. But I'm very proud to have the autographs of Neil Armstrong's father and mother, plus those of Roger Chaffee's parents.

But we start with autographs of Betty Grissom and Mrs. Robert Goddard. Of course, Mrs. Goddard wasn't a family member of an astronaut, but her autograph is still appropriate here (bought for $5.15 from dealer Art Silhanek in 1976).

Also from Silhanek in 1976, for $4.15, is this Jim McDivitt tribute cover signed by his parents. This Apollo 1 tenth anniversary cover (with a reproduction Apollo 1 cachet) was signed in 1979 by Roger Chaffee's parents from Grand Rapids, Michigan.

This final cover was signed by Neil Armstrong's parents from Wapakoneti. Ohio.

I don't remember how I got my request to them — back then addresses were spread around — but I'm sure back then (only a year and a half after their son walked on the moon) any letter addressed even only to "The Armstrongs, Wapakoneti, Ohio", would have been delivered to Stephen and Viola Armstrong.

However it happened to get to them, this impressive "Welcome Home" cover with their well-applied autographs was the result.

An aside to obtaining Mr. and Mrs. Armstrongs' autographs, is about another autograph request of mine to Mrs. Armstrong. Being a new and naïve collector, and wanting an autograph by Neil Armstrong, I asked Mrs. Armstrong if she might have something autographed by Neil for me (bad and foolish idea).

She surprised me by responding and enclosing a "signed" NASA portrait by Neil with a nice letter (which I can show if anyone is interested), telling me that she "coaxes" Neil to sign some things to send out and enclosed one for me.

posted 02-27-2025 05:32 PM               

This nice handwritten letter from Viola Armstrong referenced and accompanied the cover above that she and Stephen signed. She asked if I had any Apollo 11 covers to send for her collection and I hope that I did send some to her - just don't remember.

Joan Aldrin, in this signed stationary letter, informed me that Buzz doesn't sign for people he doesn't know, with Buzz adding a great hand-written notation stating his reason for not signing (commercialization - mainly covers), but did add his initials ("EEA"). He also kindly enclosed a small photo card of him on the moon and signed and dedicated it to me, along with a signed card (Later, Buzz relented and did sign covers and whatever for a while).