This is why you may want to avoid stickers on your treasures...

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The unsightly stain on this baseball is from the adhesive from an authentication sticker. This isn't a knock on those services... but it is a good reason to avoid putting stickers on your items -- especially vintage items! 

Zarelli Space Authentication does not place stickers on items. Because all of our Letters of Authenticity feature a large photo of the signature, and we do not issue "card COAs" that don't have photos, there is no need to place a sticker on an item.

In my experience, space collectors avoid official NASA lithos and photos that have stickers on the front. So, not only can it stain an item, it kills the desirability.

Neil Armstrong signed photo sells for $38,467 at RR Auction

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In the Spring 2016 RR Auction Space Auction this Neil Armstrong signed photo sold for $38,467 with buyer's premium. This is an amazing result... and to my knowledge is, by far, the most ever paid for a single signed astronaut photograph. 

Neil Armstrong signed photo that sold for over $38,000

Neil Armstrong signed photo that sold for over $38,000

So, why so much?

In my opinion, this is the quintessential image of the space program... the moment Armstrong stepped off the ladder onto the moon's surface. And, it is signed perfectly with an Apollo 11 inscription.

There are only a few images of Neil Armstrong on the moon, and most were not readily available when he was freely signing autographs. Any lunar surface photo of Armstrong is uncommon.

Lastly, this photo came directly from the family of the former head of NASA's photo division, so it has strong provenance. In fact, an original of this photo would likely have only been available to someone inside NASA in the late 60s and early 70s.

Godspeed Edgar Mitchell, 1930-2016

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Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14, searching for Cone Crater on the moon.

Edgar Mitchell, Apollo 14, searching for Cone Crater on the moon.

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Edgar Mitchell on February 4, 2016. 

I met Dr. Mitchell several times over the years and actually spent 2 days with him when my company retained him to appear at a trade show in 2002. He shared some fascinating insights and I felt privileged to have a drink or two with a man that walked on the moon.

Steve Zarelli with Edgar Mitchell, 2004.

Steve Zarelli with Edgar Mitchell, 2004.

He was a kind, humble and brilliant man. A very unique view and a free thinker.

Once again he is among the stars.

Edgar Mitchell, NASA portrait

Edgar Mitchell, NASA portrait