Historic Air Force One Guest Log

This Air Force One Guest Log recently closed at RR Auction for $6,543. A bargain in my opinion for a truly unique and historic item.

The leatherbound hardcover log book from Air Force One is signed on an inside page in black felt tip by the Apollo 11 crew and their wives upon their arrival in New York city for their ticker tape parade as they kicked off their around-the-world good will tour.

The book is also signed by 77 others, including Lyndon Johnson, Bill Anders, other politicians and dignitaries, and a 28-person contingent of family, friends, and NASA and White House staff of the Apollo 13 mission, who were flown by Nixon to Honolulu to be reunited with the crew.

All I can say is "Wow!"

Tour these museum-like space collections

Collectors Anthony Pizzitola and Dan Mangieri provide a glimpse into their amazing space memorabilia collections. Houston weather, traffic, news | FOX 26 | MyFoxHouston

RR Auction Spring 2013 Space & Aviation Auction

It's once again time for RR Auction's Spring Space & Aviation Auction.

While the video focuses on the flown equipment, there are also a wide selection of top notch autographed items in the auction.

All lots are current available for your viewing pleasure in preview.

As some regular readers may know, I am Steve Zarelli, RR's space authenticator.

Neil Armstrong autograph: High on grade, low on context

This signed photo closed for $1,830 on eBay last night. Two months ago it sold at RR Auction for $1,150, which is a price one would expect considering the Space Shuttle photo is un-related to Neil Armstrong. (Kinda like having Mickey Mantle sign a photo of Wrigley Field.)

RR Auction always commands strong prices and has a great reputation for authenticity, so those were not likely issues. So one could conclude the only difference between the first sale and the second sale is the PSA/DNA "9" grade. (However, the eBay sale did not mention creasing, which was noted in the RR Auction listing.) Are people really chasing "graded" autographs now? While it is undoubtedly authentic and a very nice signature, wouldn't you rather have a "6" that is on a photo representative of Neil Armstrong?

Full disclosure department: I am the space authenticator for RR Auction.

RR Fall 2012 Space Auction

A lot of great items in the upcoming RR Fall Space & Aviation Auction. It's a privilege and honor to review some of these historical artifacts. The flown and signed Apollo 11 Flag Presentation is probably my favorite.