Space memorabilia?

Can anyone recommend places to buy space memorabilia?
I'm thinking of models, replicas, actual pieces flown into space etc - nice quality items for a display.

Thanks,
Michael.

Michael,

I’m sure you already googled this but I was on a hunt for something similar a few years
back mostly moon stuff www.novaspace.com are very good but your mixing with the big guns
here $$$$ and more $$$$. Also www.collectspace.com www.thespacestore.com no dealing with
these but worth a look..
I ended up with a reasonable collection of moon walker’s autographs 11 in total, guess which
one I couldn’t afford? And lots of other items, nothing too special but very interesting at the time.

I know what they say about EBay and all the dodgy stuff that goes on, but I used to search
al least 5 or 6 sites a night (man I’m embarrassed to say how long I did this for) not so
much UK or US but Germany, French, Spain and so on and if your careful and are persistent
and ask the right questions you might just find something of interest.


I had a few contacts in the US and Germany private sellers mostly autographs.

A quick story the very first item I bought was FDC insurance flown to the Moon. There was only
one other bid so I bid with seconds to go (sniped) and won €20 I think, soon I received a
message form the other bidder (you could do that then I’m not to sure if its allowed now)
offering me way more than what i paid, as he was very disappointed in not winning.

I’m sure I have been scammed on some items I bought, quite sure but it was fun at the time.
Sorry for going on and on.

Tony

Thanks Tony.
My biggest concern with the autograph or flown-to-space stuff is counterfeiting, as it would be sooo easy to do.
Did you ever go to any of the autographing shows in London or the US?

Hi Michael,

Yeah for sure, fakes forgeries, copies, re-prints, secretarial signatures and autopen.
Actually autopens are quite good if you can’t get the real thing at least you know it’s
an autopen from NASA.
Unfortunately it’s seldom you get more than one moon walker at these signing events
especially in the UK , may be two in the States, and it never seem to coincide when I
was there on hols.
Part of the fun for me was trying to separate the wheat from the chaff and providing you
don’t go too mad on price it really is quite interesting .You can become a sort of expert
on the history and authenticity of astronaut’s autographs.

Ok what about this, I was at Astro Fest in the UK a couple of years ago Patrick Moore,
Chris Lintott and Brian May were there signing their new book “Bang” after queuing for
two hours Chris and Brian signed and Patrick used a rubber stamp no disrespect to Patrick
the man is a legend and he can do what ever he likes in my eyes but I did feel a little let
down at the time.

Now the question is do I have Patrick’s signature and more to the point does it matter.

As you say in OP for display purpose and for me a good talking point. Whether or not you
ever invest in autograph collecting it’s still a fascinating subject. Check this out one
of many sites on the subject www.eaglehaswings.freehomepage.com

Sorry again I do have a tendency to go on and on.

Tony

Note to self must [strike]Goggle[/strike] Google a good spellchecker.