Warbird Information Exchange

Just a thought - whats a few books of mine signed by famous USAF and USN Mig Killers worth?

Ive got Robin Olds, Chuck Debellevue, Steve Ritchie, Bob Titus and others signed some of my books.. some have all of them in it i think.

It makes some of the Phantoms books worth a bit more i hope

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Fighters pilots are born to make movies , bomber pilots make HISTORY, cargo crews haul their material and fame.

as far as I am concerned having any of those folks sign anything that I own would be priceless.

As in terms of dollars, my best guess would be to contact a autograph expert to have it rated....

I believe I have Paul Tibbets and other members of the crew of the famous missions. As well as I have Rudy Opitz's autograph.

For those who dont know, Rudy Opitz:

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.wal ... light1.htm

I also have a couple more. But I wouldnt sell them for the world!

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Keep Em' Flying,
Christopher Soltis
Dedicated to the preservation and education of The Sikorsky Memorial Airport

CASC Blog Page: http://ctair-space.blogspot.com/
Warbird Wear: https://www.redbubble.com/people/warbirdwear/shop

Chicks Dig Warbirds.......right?

Bob Titus is the best. He flew Mustangs in Korea 1951 with the 39th FIS.

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Don't touch my junk!!

I know that autographs for many are very important, and I understand what the question is asking but, since I tend to view things a bit different I'll wade in anyway.

Several years ago, when the "aviation art" business was starting to develop into what we see today, there was a rather poorly done piece showing a couple of P-51D's over the Alps, being offered in print form. I passed because... well, it was just bad. Later this same print was offered, but tis time with signatures of the pilots whose aircraft and flight were supposed to be depicted. These were FAMOUS pilots then.

Now I don't know if these prints are worth(what you can get for them at time of sale) more now or not. But I'd venture the art istelf didn't get any better BECAUSE the legends signed them!

Are the books any good? Is the history presented factual? Or are they merely the paper to which the autographer had first access to?

Just something to think about.

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Charles Neely

I'd say, not worth anything and I'd be happy to take that worthless junk off your hands.

In my opinion, like anything else, they are only worth what someone is willing to pay, if you are willing to sell. To me, they'd be priceless as I would never sell.

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"There are old pilots and bold pilots but few old, bold pilots."

I'm with Charles on this one. Coming form the art side of the equation, it has always annoyed me a bit that an artist can spend hundreds of hours on a painting (or book, or whatever) and still struggle to make a living wage from his efforts, while a celebrity of one kind or another can instantly quadruple the value of the work with a two second flick of their pen.

I like to think people buy art on its own merits. Sadly, that often seems to be the exception to the rule.

People value rarity (or perceived rarity) more than they do quality. I don't really know why. I'm just as guilty of it...I have a signed copy of Rutan's book "Voyager" which I stumbled on in a used book store. I bought it not knowing it was signed, but somehow it became more of a valued keepsake once I found out. Dunno why. Same book. In a sensible world, it would be worth less. After all, someone scribbled in it!

Ultimately, I think it may be all about status. After all, I could sign your book, but you'd probably charge me with vandalism. But if I were FAMOUS, I could charge you ten bucks to scribble on it.

People are strange.

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What is red, furry and on your six?

People are strange? You bet. at the very first Madera event that I attended, there was a parade of sorts for three WWII fighterpilots. Two Germans and Pappy Boyington sitting on the rear decks of a couple convertables. Now you'd think that Boyington being an American and a local (Fresno) would have gotten the greater aplause, but the crowd went noticably more wild for the Germans! Of course 28 or so victories kind of pales against over 200 for one and near 300 for the other. Maybe their autographs would be worth something? LOL

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Charles Neely