Michael Green

Like some others here, I would prefer 'new' astronauts rather than those who have been before. I used to to attend every Autographica but now only go when there is enough to draw me in. Generally, I am only interested in the space related signers, in particular Apollo 7 to 17. OK, these are the ones I would like to see at a future Autographica: John Young - Apollo 16 Harrison Schmitt - Apollo 17 The above are the two I would most like to meet. I seem to think they have done signings in the USA so might be willing to come over. I'm sure the prices they charge would raise eyebrows...but worth paying for a once in a lifetime opportunity. Michael Collins - Apollo 11 One third of the greatest mission ever...what more can I say? Barbara Morgan - Challenger She was meant to be coming over last year (or the year before) but cancelled. As back up to Christa McAuliffe it makes her a very interesting astronaut. What if... Frank Borman (Apollo 8), Bill Anders (Apollo 8) and Tom Stafford (Apollo 10) Three early Apollo astronauts (I missed Stafford at a previous show!) Of those who have previously been I would favour: ValentinaTereshkova (first woman in space) Helen Sharman (first Briton in space) Alexei Leonov (first spacewalk) Now that would be some guest list!!! Michael Green

Hi Well that's what happens when I skim over the posts!!! Apologies!!!! Michael

Hi Dave Regarding extra words...I appreciate that inscriptions with Apollo quotes or mission number etc can give an item added value. However, and I have said this several times before on this forum, when someone asks for a DEDICATED autograph the value of the signed item (photo or whatever) is diminished. It would be nice if the signer could acknowledge this by not charging extra for dedications. By all means charge for other inscriptions, but not dedications. The first time Buzz visited Autographica I took my three year old boy with me to get a signed and dedicated photo from Buzz. If my memory serves me right, the base autograph was £80 and it was an extra £10 for a dedication; an extra £10 for an inscription and a further £10 for the mission. Me and my son had already met Buzz when he appeared at the National Space Centre a few months earlier, however at that time he was only signing his then new book (without any dedications). I already had my dedicated autograph from Buzz from a previous encounter, however I was keen for my son to meet him and get a dedicated photo. We paid £90 for a dedicated autograph ('To Sam, Buzz Aldrin'). A copy of that photo is on my son's bedroom wall and the actual photo is safely tucked away out of sight and light. If I had wanted it as an investment then I would not have had it dedicated but I wanted it more as an 'inspiration' for my son. Surely the signer must realise that dedicated autographs are (usually) worth considerably less than non-dedicated autographs. I do think twice about getting dedicated autographs. Notably my son also has dedicated photos from Alexei Leonov and Helen Sharman...both of which were lovely to meet and did not charge for any 'extras'. Am I the only one who thinks dedications should be 'free' and included in the base price? Michael Green

Hi Dave Thanks for clearing that up! Mucha ppreciated. Kind regards Michael

Many thanks for the link. It seems as though this has been an issue in the past. OK, questions for the organisers... I would like to have 1 photoshoot pic of Buzz with myself and my 7 year old son so will the cost be £50 or £100? Secondly, can I pay for the admission ticket(s) on the day or do I have to buy them in advance to qualify for the photoshoot? Michael

Please confirm, am I reading this correctly. Buzz is charging £50 per person in each photoshoot ie to get a photo of myself, wife and son in a picture with Buzz will cost £150? I'm sure I am reading it correctly but this seems like an astronomical hike on the £25 I think he was going to charge last year for 1 photo regardless of the amount of people in it. I understand the ever increasing charge for his autograph as they can be sold on afterwards (though bizarrely now he charges more for his autograph than they can be sold on for and if you get a dedication there is an extra charge for an item that is, on the open market, worth less!). However, a hike from £25 to £150 for an item that is worthless to anyone other than the person in the photograph does seem odd. I've met him 3 times over the last few years (twice at Autographica and once at the Leicester Space Centre). The first time at Autographica I got a signed item for my son and the last time at Autographica I opted for the photoshoot. I was hoping to go for the photoshoot option this time but fear I will have to tell my 7 year old son that he is not going to meet Buzz this time. Very sad. Michael

Harrison Schmitt....please, please, please!!!!

Hi As Harrison Schmitt is scheduled to appear elsewhere, is there any chance that he will be making an appearance at this year's Autographica? It would be a big 'plus' if he would be willing to attend Autographica. BTW, does anyone know how much he charges for base autographs? Michael Edit:Sorry I have had to amend your post. It is against forum rules to mention/discuss non SM/ME events.

java script:emoticon('',%20'smid_32') The bit I don't understand about Buzz charging so much extra for dedications with autographs is that he must know that they make the autograph LESS valuable than if someone had a non-dedicated autograph. I have met Buzz a handful of times. The first time was in London when I got to meet him outside a function I knew he was attending (this was a number of years ago and was BEFORE he had made an appearance at Autographica). I had an original NASA litho to be signed but he politely declined, fortunately I had the foresight to have already prepared a letter explaining I was a great admirer of his achievement with Apollo 11 and how much it had meant to me as a child (I was 8 at the time of the first moon landing). I left the litho and letter, along with a stamped addressed envelope, with his driver and crossed my fingers. A few days later it turned up in the post and Buzz had signed it, put the mission number under his autograph and dedicated it (including my surname). I was chuffed to bits! The next time I met him was at Leicester Space Centre where he did a book signing and talk. Again he politely refused to dedicate a book for my young son. I then met him at the his first appearance at Autographica where I paid (I think it was) £80 for an autograph and a further £15 for a dedication to my son - it reads 'To Sam, Buzz Aldrin'). I would have liked a 'best wishes' and 'Apollo 11' as well but I think that would have been a further £20 or £30. I know it perhaps seems a bit odd, but is there not a case for astronauts charging LESS when something is dedicated as the person who wants the dedication is obviously a fan/admirer of that person? I tend to get undedicated autographs now (especially when they are expensive ie Lovell, Cernan etc), however I still like dedicated autographs for my 4 year old son as I am keen for him to grow up with an appreciation of the achievements of these great astronauts. Anybody got any thoughts on this??? Michael