Like many other BAA members, I was a youngster during the Space Race in the 1960s and I was enthralled by the Russian and American spaceflights and astronomy in equal measure. I'm enjoying the coverage of the 50th anniversary of the first Moon landing.

The other year I was at an event where NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Bruce McCandless, Rusty Schweickart, Rick Searfoss and Al Worden gave fascinating talks about their missions into space. For an additional fee attendees could have a photo taken with an astronaut or obtain an autographed photo depicting one of their flights.

One collector wheeled in a sack cart bearing his bronze model of a lunar module. This impressive sculpture had a four-figure valuation. For a three-figure sum he arranged for Buzz Aldrin to sign and date it (1969 July 20). As Buzz crouched over the model, pen in hand, I couldn't resist silently voicing to myself:

"That's one small kneel for Buzz, one giant outlay for the model's owner".