Neil Armstrong wants hair back that he left on barbershop floor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 05-31-2005, 07:52 PM

http://wcbs880.com/connnews/CT--Astr...rces_news_html

Neil Armstrong wants hair back that he left on barbershop floor

CINCINNATI (AP) The first man to walk on the moon used to come into Marx's Barber Shop in Lebanon about every month for a trim.

That stopped when Neil Armstrong learned that owner Marx Sizemore picked up some of the former astronaut's hair from the floor of his shop and sold it for $3,000 to a Connecticut collector.

``I didn't deny it or anything,'' said Sizemore, who recently bought the shop. ``I told him I did it.''

Armstrong commanded NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969, becoming the first person on the moon. He left the space program in 1971 to teach aeronautical engineering at the University of Cincinnati.

He still lives in suburban Cincinnati but is an extremely private person who seldom appears at public functions and never grants interviews. He used to talk to his barber.

``He asked me to pursue trying to get the hair back,'' Sizemore said. ``I called the person I sold it to and told him. He was not interested in giving it back. I called Neil back and told him that. Then I got this letter from his lawyer.''

The letter threatens legal action if Sizemore does not return the hair or contribute his $3,000 profit to a charity of Armstrong's choosing. The letter contends that the sale violates an Ohio law designed to protect the rights of famous people. It also asks Sizemore to pay Armstrong's legal expenses.

``I'm basically stuck between a rock and a hard place,'' said Sizemore, 36, who spent the $3,000 mostly on bills. ``I told the lawyer I'm not going to pay him. The ball's in his court. If he doesn't act on it, I'm not going to act on it. If it dies out, I'll be happy.''

The lawyer, Ross Wales of Cincinnati, did not return a call seeking comment.

Sizemore scooped up Armstrong's hair from his shop about 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati and sold it in May 2004, he said. Nearly a year passed before he got the letter, and only after Armstrong learned of the sale and confronted him.

Sizemore said he sold the hair to an agent for John Reznikoff, a Westport, Conn., collector listed by Guinness World Records as having the largest collection of hair from historical celebrities. The collection, insured for $1 million, includes hair from Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, Napoleon and others.

Sizemore said he didn't initiate the sale the agent contacted him twice.

``At first, I told him no, I wasn't interested,'' Sizemore said. ``He called me back; then he contacted me by mail.''

Sizemore said the agent offered $3,000 for the hair.

``That's what he hit me with,'' Sizemore said.

This time, the offer was irresistible.

The price is hardly a record. Guinness gives that honor to clippings from the head of Elvis Presley, sold by Presley's personal barber, Homer ``Gill'' Gilleland, for $115,120 in an online auction in 2002.

Penny Lane · 05-31-2005, 08:17 PM

Well.............when one is a celebrity........................Stuff happens!

Personally I have no interest in Neil's hair. But Paul? Hand it over!

James"Thunder"Early · 05-31-2005, 08:18 PM

What kind of freak would pay 3,000 dollars for hair?

Mr. Television · 05-31-2005, 08:20 PM

$3,000 for hair. Mine isn't even worth a penny.

Courtnee · 05-31-2005, 08:53 PM

Max Whittaker · 05-31-2005, 09:03 PM

It sounds like Mr. Armstrong isn't being fair. I mean, sure he's a private man, and he's entitled to it. It's not like his barber endangered his solitude.

As an ordinary person, I can understand the barber jumping on a chance to pay off his bills. I'd do the same, and in this case, I can't see how it hurt Mr. Armstrong.

Armstrong got a trim, the barber got a bit of cash. Sounds like a good deal.

TripperFan · 05-31-2005, 09:17 PM

Meanwhile, if the guy got one of Neil's hairs in his soup, he'd freak!!!

Actually though, in a sense I can see Neil's point. His barber profited off of him without his permission.

I know artist Glen Loates doodles constantly, he used to do it at lunches with us but his wife would make sure she picked every one of them up afterwards since people could grab it and sell it without permission.

Max Whittaker · 05-31-2005, 09:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

Actually though, in a sense I can see Neil's point. His barber profited off of him without his permission.

That, I can understand. But then, the barber didn't try to hide what he did, either.

TripperFan · 05-31-2005, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

That, I can understand. But then, the barber didn't try to hide what he did, either.

Yeah, I'm sure he didn't think there was anything wrong with doing it or that Neil would mind. That's why I'm just surprised a bit that he's taking such a &$#@-you attitude about it. He should at least maybe agree to make a donation to a charity of whatever he can manage, (but still a fairly good one - like $500 or so). I'm sure Neil would be willing to accept that.

Who knows what might have happened to Neil in the past. People may have gone through his trash in the early 70s and that and he just got fed up with people doing stuff like that.

Geez - if someone wants to make a few bucks off my split ends, be my guest!

Cactus Jack · 05-31-2005, 09:41 PM

LOL weird

Max Whittaker · 05-31-2005, 09:44 PM

Two sides to every story. Still, none of this would have ever happened if people weren't foolish enough to spend such outrageous prices on hair that came from a man who, at the end of the day, is still a man.

TripperFan · 05-31-2005, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

Two sides to every story. Still, none of this would have ever happened if people weren't foolish enough to spend such outrageous prices on hair that came from a man who, at the end of the day, is still a man.

how true!! O.k. - this is gross, but imagine what he could get for some used Kleenexes???

(I could think of even worse scenarios, but I'm going to try to behave myself here.....afterall, I am a lady).

Max Whittaker · 05-31-2005, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

how true!! O.k. - this is gross, but imagine what he could get for some used Kleenexes???

(I could think of even worse scenarios, but I'm going to try to behave myself here.....afterall, I am a lady).

Yeah, he'd probably get more from used kleenexes than hair.

Ew. If I ever get famous, remind me not to get sick...

Max Whittaker · 05-31-2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

... I'm going to try to behave myself here.....afterall, I am a lady).

Did that ever stop you before?

TripperFan · 05-31-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Max Whittaker

Did that ever stop you before?

welllll nooooo....but I'm trying to turn over a new leaf!

05-31-2005, 07:52 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Neil Armstrong wants hair back that he left on barbershop floor http://wcbs880.com/connnews/CT--Astr...rces_news_html Neil Armstrong wants hair back that he left on barbershop floor CINCINNATI (AP) The first man to walk on the moon used to come into Marx's Barber Shop in Lebanon about every month for a trim. That stopped when Neil Armstrong learned that owner Marx Sizemore picked up some of the former astronaut's hair from the floor of his shop and sold it for $3,000 to a Connecticut collector. ``I didn't deny it or anything,'' said Sizemore, who recently bought the shop. ``I told him I did it.'' Armstrong commanded NASA's Apollo 11 mission in 1969, becoming the first person on the moon. He left the space program in 1971 to teach aeronautical engineering at the University of Cincinnati. He still lives in suburban Cincinnati but is an extremely private person who seldom appears at public functions and never grants interviews. He used to talk to his barber. ``He asked me to pursue trying to get the hair back,'' Sizemore said. ``I called the person I sold it to and told him. He was not interested in giving it back. I called Neil back and told him that. Then I got this letter from his lawyer.'' The letter threatens legal action if Sizemore does not return the hair or contribute his $3,000 profit to a charity of Armstrong's choosing. The letter contends that the sale violates an Ohio law designed to protect the rights of famous people. It also asks Sizemore to pay Armstrong's legal expenses. ``I'm basically stuck between a rock and a hard place,'' said Sizemore, 36, who spent the $3,000 mostly on bills. ``I told the lawyer I'm not going to pay him. The ball's in his court. If he doesn't act on it, I'm not going to act on it. If it dies out, I'll be happy.'' The lawyer, Ross Wales of Cincinnati, did not return a call seeking comment. Sizemore scooped up Armstrong's hair from his shop about 25 miles northeast of Cincinnati and sold it in May 2004, he said. Nearly a year passed before he got the letter, and only after Armstrong learned of the sale and confronted him. Sizemore said he sold the hair to an agent for John Reznikoff, a Westport, Conn., collector listed by Guinness World Records as having the largest collection of hair from historical celebrities. The collection, insured for $1 million, includes hair from Abraham Lincoln, Marilyn Monroe, Albert Einstein, Napoleon and others. Sizemore said he didn't initiate the sale the agent contacted him twice. ``At first, I told him no, I wasn't interested,'' Sizemore said. ``He called me back; then he contacted me by mail.'' Sizemore said the agent offered $3,000 for the hair. ``That's what he hit me with,'' Sizemore said. This time, the offer was irresistible. The price is hardly a record. Guinness gives that honor to clippings from the head of Elvis Presley, sold by Presley's personal barber, Homer ``Gill'' Gilleland, for $115,120 in an online auction in 2002.

05-31-2005, 08:17 PM	#2
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,393	Well.............when one is a celebrity........................Stuff happens! Personally I have no interest in Neil's hair. But Paul? Hand it over!
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05-31-2005, 08:18 PM	#3
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	What kind of freak would pay 3,000 dollars for hair?
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05-31-2005, 08:20 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	$3,000 for hair. Mine isn't even worth a penny.
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05-31-2005, 08:53 PM	#5
Courtnee MAN VS SAMMICH. Forum Star Join Date: Mar 23, 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 16,413
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05-31-2005, 09:03 PM	#6
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	It sounds like Mr. Armstrong isn't being fair. I mean, sure he's a private man, and he's entitled to it. It's not like his barber endangered his solitude. As an ordinary person, I can understand the barber jumping on a chance to pay off his bills. I'd do the same, and in this case, I can't see how it hurt Mr. Armstrong. Armstrong got a trim, the barber got a bit of cash. Sounds like a good deal.
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05-31-2005, 09:17 PM	#7
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,086	Meanwhile, if the guy got one of Neil's hairs in his soup, he'd freak!!! Actually though, in a sense I can see Neil's point. His barber profited off of him without his permission. I know artist Glen Loates doodles constantly, he used to do it at lunches with us but his wife would make sure she picked every one of them up afterwards since people could grab it and sell it without permission.
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05-31-2005, 09:41 PM	#10
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	LOL weird
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05-31-2005, 09:44 PM	#11
Max Whittaker I want Serenity back Forum Veteran Join Date: Apr 30, 2001 Posts: 6,180	Two sides to every story. Still, none of this would have ever happened if people weren't foolish enough to spend such outrageous prices on hair that came from a man who, at the end of the day, is still a man.