Space Collectibles

Moon Flags

Topping the list are the “moon flags”. This would be any U.S. Flag taken to the lunar surface or around the moon on an Apollo mission. Those that pop up on auctions are usually from the John Young collection, but there are others. Recently, one from Apollo 13 came for sale, and another from Apollo 15. It is somewhat rare to see many up for sale, but occasionally you can find one.

Prices can ranges from $3500-$7500+ for a flag that stayed on the command module while it circled the moon. $15,000-$35,000 for a flag that was carried to the lunar surface.

Neil Armstrong autograph.

Every space collector would love to have the autograph of the first man to walk on the moon. While Neil Armstrong may not have signed as much as the second man on the moon, Buzz Aldrin, there is a still quite a bit of photos and other documents with Neil’s signature. Watch out for autopens and other reproduced facsimile autographs.

Prices can ranges from $1,100 to $3,500+ for the average Neil Armstrong autograph with a COA. Watch out for “bargain” signatures below this amount. Typically, a red flag.

The Conquest of Space 1931

The term “Conquest of Space” was used in early writings long before humans ventured into space. Several books, and a film share the name (as does this site). The original 1931 book is considered the first that took a scientific approach to explaining rocketry and spaceflight. In 1949, Willy Ley would author a different book by the same name illustrated by famed space artist Chesley Bonestell.

Prices for the first edition of the 1931 Lasser version can range from $150 for one in poor condition, to over $1000 for a pristine copy. Finding one with the dust jacket is challenging and would command a premium.

The 1949 Willy Ley version is also highly desirable. A nice copy with dust jacket will start in the $250+ range. A pristine copy can run up to $1000.

We Seven by The Astronauts themselves

“We Seven” might be the first book of the American Space program. This book was widely printed and copies are easily available. The most desirable is a copy signed by all seven, but that is extremely rare and hard to come by. Second, would be a copy signed by one of more of the original seven Mercury astronauts.

Pricing for an unsigned, non-first edition with a dust jacket can be found for around $20. A first edition with dust jacket starts at around $75 and goes up based on condition. A signed edition by one of the seven typically sells between $350 and $500 based on the astronaut. A copy with four of the seven is currently available for $5,000.

Grumman Lunar Module

It might be the most desirable of all the early space program models. The Grumman Lunar Module pictured to the left is the version most collectors want to possess. They are not terribly rare, and if you look hard enough on any given month you can locate one for sale. A pristine version with the box recently sold for close to $900. That was a bargain for its condition. These were not intended to last fifty years. Most that come available have “yellowed” and are likely to be missing at least one part. Still, they are highly collectible.

Pricing never falls below $700 regardless of the condition. They can easily cross the $1000 mark. At auction, even higher.

If you acquired one with missing parts, or can’t find one and want an exact reproduction sfx models can provide the spare parts, or a new custom made exact replica at a lower cost than the lowest originals on the market. They offer a variety of the Grumman Models including the classic version depicted on the left and the very early designs. Incredible workmanship and detail. I would highly recommend checking them out.

sfx models.com

Grumman Space Shuttle Model

This is the rarest of the rare space models. How many exist? No one knows, but few were likely produced, and even fewer survived to this day. Any survivors have likely found their way to museums. This was Grumman’s proposal for their version of the space shuttle that used the first stage of the Saturn V. Likely a superior design, but did not meet the reusability requirements. Since 2009, I have seen four variants the Grumman Space Shuttle come to market. Each was unique. This particular type sold for $4750 in 2019. Pictured is a custom replica of the original.

For pricing, since only one of this type came to auction we know it is around $5000. For the other variants, expect pricing to be around the same. Highly desirable and extremely rare.

North American Rockwell Apollo Contractor Model

Similar to the Grumman model, North American Rockwell also had a model of the Apollo Command and Service Module. Similarly, these were not intended to last 50+ years and also suffer from yellowing and degradation of the plastic and decals. Not as intricate as the Lunar Module, these tend to be intact. However, not as many appear to have come to market. In 2018, these were selling for about the same price as the lunar module model. Now, they have crept higher.

Pricing. Expect a wide variety of pricing based on condition. Starting prices will be above $1000 and don’t be surprised if they break $2000+ at auction. Currently, there is one for sale in excellent condition with the signatures of 22 astronauts, including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Alan Shepard, Dave Scott, John Young, Pete Conrad, Jim Irwin, Ed Mitchell, Jim Lovell, and 13 others. Price? $10,000.

First to the Moon

Much like “We Seven”, this book was mass produced and unsigned copies are readily available. The “Holy Grail” would be to find a copy with all three of the crew’s signatures.

Pricing for an unsigned first edition with dust jacket starts in the $10-$20 range. A copy with all three crew signatures is hard to find. Currently, there is one for sale (with an inscription to the original owner) for $14,500.

Wernher Von Braun Signature

Von Braun remains controversial for his work under the Nazi party during World War II. However, there is no mistaking Von Braun’s contribution to the American space program, and the moon landing may not have been possible without him. His signature is available on many types of documents from photos to letters to books, with a large amount of signatures on correspondence and internal NASA memos.

Generally, pricing for a Von Braun signature on a photo would be in the $750-$1200+ range. For something unique that carries value of its own beyond the signature could range from $1200-$2000+

Early Grumman Lunar Module Prints

These large prints were provided by the Grumman Corporation in the early sixties after their selection as the contractor for the lunar module. Note the round hatch prevalent in the early designs. The prints came as a set of four. These are beautifully done, and have held up well for almost sixty years. You can typically find one of the four prints for sale, and occasionally all four.

These are inexpensive considering their size and the quality of the artwork. Pricing ranges from $40-$60 for an individual prints and less than $300 on average if you can find the complete set.

Steeds of Apollo

The “Steeds of Apollo” were the inspiration for the Apollo 13 mission patch. A numbered set of 500 were produced and signed by the artist, Lumen Winter, with several given to the crew. It is a large print, perfect for framing. The “Holy Grail would be to have the full crew signatures. One of these signed by Lovell, Haise, and Swigert sold for $3200 in 2019.

Pricing for the print alone ranges from $750-$1000. A copy with just Jim Lovell’s signature sold for $2200. That seems high for one signature. Lovell and Haise are still actively signing and I would expect a copy with both of their signatures to be in the $1500-$2000 range.

LEM (Lunar Module) Derivatives

A set of 13 medium size prints distributed by the Grumman Corporation to illustrate possible future uses for the Lunar Module. Grumman was hoping to continue to leverage the knowledge and expertise that went into building the LEM well beyond the initial Apollo landing program. It was not to be. Pictured is the LEM Orbiting Observatory.

Pricing for these varies. They can go for less than $300 for the entire set to $700-$1000. They are an interesting piece of space history.

Moonwalkers

Individual signatures of the moonwalkers are still easy to come by. Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, and Dave Scott have signed quite a bit over the years and are still active. Harrison Schmitt, not quite as much. The “Holy Grail” here is to get a complete crew signed photo or artifact. Challenging with so many that have passed since the end of the program. Caution: Don’t be fooled by reprints and autopens. NASA produced many autopens of the crew photos. Always check for a reputable COA.

Pricing depends on the astronaut. Neil Armstrong commands the highest price, consistently over $1100+. John Young averages $750+, Buzz Aldrin is in the $500 range, although you may be able to find one of his books signed for far less. Charlie Duke and Alan Bean were prolific signers and their autographs can be found at or less than $200. Alan Shepard once sold 2500 signed copies of a photo on QVC. Those pop-up frequently for less than $250. The remainder fall somewhere between the $300 and $450 range.

Apollo LEM Guidance Computer Guide

About the size of a small pocket flip notebook with just a few pages. These were produced for each mission with a Lunar Module. This isn’t a how to manual, nor does it contain any information beyond the codes. Each page is full of the Noun and Verb codes used by the LEM computer. The genius of the design was to leverage the limited power of the LEM’s computer. Astronauts would punch in the “noun”, the thing, like the engine, and the “verb” for the action, like ignite. Interesting piece of history.

Pricing, this book is small, and is meant to be a pure reference guide to translate the codes. Even with that, the scarcity of these puts them in the $200-$300 range at auction.

Lockheed Lunar Lander

Not everything cool or collectible comes with a high price. This is a print of the proposed Lockheed Lunar Lander. It dates to the early sixties when Lockheed was competing to build the Lunar Lander. These prints survived nearly 60 years and the ones that have come to market are in pristine condition. On the back, Lockheed printed details about the lander.

The price? Hold on to you seat. Less than $20. It is printed on thin stock and was intended as a handout to be tossed after use. Looks beautiful framed.