A new website has appeared, a first of its kind, to assist auction bidders on the internet. The site is
called "ValuSign" and offers daily estimates of astronaut autograph
values from auctions being conducted on ebay. A large number of these auction lots are for philatelics.
Currently the website is a functioning prototype. It's designer, Russ Still (author: Relics of the Space Race),
hopes to implement a fully functional version around the beginning of February. Ultimately, there will be charges
for queries on the website, but for now, it is completely free of charge.
Once the site is past the prototyping stage, it will remain free for some undetermined period. During the month
of January, auction data will not be posted daily, but once the site is fully functional, data on auctions from
four of ebay's categories will be added each morning.
ValuSign will list value estimates on items autographed by pre-Shuttle astronauts. The website stresses that these
values are the opinions of their estimators and that other qualified people may disagree. In addition to the obvious
benefits offered by ValuSign, bidders may be able to more accurately make their own judgements of an item's authenticity.
For example, if a bidder queries a Neil Armstrong autograph and finds its value estimated at some very low price,
the bidder may deduce that a problem may exist with that piece.
To access the ValuSign website, link to www.valusign.com.