Space Memorabilia Brings Out-of-This-World Prices in Heritage Auction

Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries' recent Air & Space Auction, held March 25, 2008 at the Frontiers of Flight Museum in Dallas, Texas, realized $1,106,695 for 383 lots, including several private treaty sales negotiated after the auction, although post-auction sales are still ongoing, and are expected to push the final total to even higher levels.

"This was a very exciting auction," said Tom Slater, Director of Americana auctions for Heritage, "which included a number of items from the personal collections of some of America's leading space explorers, including Dr. Buzz Aldrin, Gene Cernan, Alan Bean, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, Charles M. Duke, Richard F. Gordon, and Paul Weitz. There were space-flown and actual moon-used items offered, all of which generated a great deal of interest from bidders worldwide."

"Especially thrilling was the opportunity to hold the auction at the Frontiers of Flight Museum," Slater said. "This spectacular venue was host to a pre-auction reception, and their exceptional hospitality made an extraordinary event even more memorable. The museum's collection of memorabilia documenting aviation history is unsurpassed, and I can't thank them enough for hosting this event. Also, I'm pleased to report that the institution received a check for $5,000 from Heritage, as a result of two pieces auctioned to benefit the museum."

"Interest in material of this type has never been higher," Slater said, "and we were pleased to see so many bidders participate in this auction, on the floor, on the phone, and over the Internet. It's gratifying to know that the early history of space exploration is being preserved and honored in this way, so that future generations can appreciate the courage and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have risked everything to expand the boundaries of human knowledge."

Highlights of the auction included:

• Apollo 10 Complete Lunar Module Flown Rendezvous Checklist with Original Signed Snoopy Sketch by Charles Schulz: Realized: $41,825.
• Apollo Bracelet Containing All Eleven Flown Silver Robbins Medallions: Realized: $37,343.
• Apollo 16 Lunar Module Flown Needle Nose Pliers: Realized: $33,460.
• Von Richthofen Signet Ring: Realized: $31,070.
• Buzz Aldrin's Original Gemini 12 Space Suit Patches: Realized: $29,875.
• Apollo 11 Flown Robbins Silver Medallion, Serial Number 188: Realized: $28,680.
• Apollo 17 Flown Robbins Sterling Silver Medallion: Realized: $26,290.
• Apollo 14 Lunar Module Antares Flown American Flag, Signed by Edgar Mitchell: Realized: $26,290.
• Gene Cernan's Apollo 17 Lunar Module Flown Fisher AG-7 Space Pen: Realized: $23,900.
• Apollo 11 Flown Robbins Silver Medallion: Realized: $21,510.

For more information about Heritage's auctions, and a complete record of prices realized, along with full-color, enlargeable photos of each lot, please visit www.HA.com

Prospective consignors and sellers of political memorabilia, Americana, and related collectibles are invited to visit www.HA.com/Sell. Or simply email Tom Slater at TomS@HA.com.

To reserve your copy of any Heritage auction catalog, please contact Client Services at 1-800-872-6467, extension 1150, or visit www.HA.com/Catalog to order by email.