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Permalink Reply by Richard Booth on August 1, 2017 at 9:11am

This looks ok to me.

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Permalink Reply by BGK on August 1, 2017 at 10:18am

I've met Buzz in person many times and I have to say this does look like his signature.  But the inscription worries me a lot - it's highly unusual for Aldrin.  I'd avoid if you can; there are tons of other Aldrin items for sale with likelier authenticity.

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Permalink Reply by Greg on August 1, 2017 at 12:23pm

I thought the signature looked good as well. But with the sentiment, from others I have seen by him, they are usually printed, not solely in cursive as this one is, is that what you are referring to William?

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Permalink Reply by BGK on August 1, 2017 at 2:04pm

The sentiment expressed in the inscription is New Testament; in more than 10 years of searching out Aldrin signatures I have never once seen him make a religious reference (although other astronauts routinely do).  Also - and it's hard to say for sure looking at the photo - are the signature and inscription done with the same pen?  One looks lighter than the other?

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Permalink Reply by Mike White on October 14, 2017 at 6:17am

in more than 10 years of searching out Aldrin signatures I have never once seen him make a religious reference

At $25-$50 per word, that's more likely due to there being alternatives that collectors prefer to put their money toward. It's not that it's unusual for Buzz to provide--it's that it's unusual for the payer to ask.

although other astronauts routinely do

Without knowing the specifics of what you're referring to, this observation seems to be lumping everything together into the "astronaut signature" category without taking variables into account.

For example, collectors would be more inclined to pay the crew of Apollo 8 for Genesis inscriptions, since that was a pretty iconic part of the mission. As such, you'll probably see those out there (at least from Borman & Lovell).

The comparison to Buzz wouldn't be another religious sentiment, but, rather, something like "Magnificent desolation" or "Contact light" or even "We came in peace for all mankind"--all of which you'll find in decent supply. Like I said above, at $25-$50/word, it's going to be something you really, really want him to write.

On the other side, you have astronauts like Jim Irwin, whose religion was so deeply entrenched in who he was that he'd add those sentiments to many of his autographs automatically--no additional charge whatsoever for them.

In those cases, there's no comparison to Buzz; he's not giving you anything like that for free. His signature pretty much only includes his signature.

To put it simply, you'll find things like that more often from other astronauts because collectors are either more likely to pay them for it or because they're more likely to provide it on their own accord. Buzz, though religious enough to take communion on the moon, doesn't really check off either box for the vast majority of collectors.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Zarelli on August 1, 2017 at 5:20pm

Bear in mind that Buzz would not do any lengthy inscription without being paid. So I'd assume this would have been requested by a customer at a paid signing. Also bear in mind that Buzz took communion on the moon, so the religious sentiment is not completely out of context.

The signature is spot on, and the inscription is consistent with his less common script. Frankly, it would be a lot easier for a forger to fake his simpler block text.

The pens may be different, but it would not be the first time a collector spiced up a routine signed photo by having someone later add an inscription.

All considered, I think it weighs heavily in favor of being authentic.

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Permalink Reply by Greg on August 1, 2017 at 9:09pm

Thank you very much for your expertise gentlemen!

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