Image:Brief Jan Stalmans - Paul Van Hoeydonck 11-09-2007.jpg

This file has been (or is hereby) released into the public domain by its author, Jan Stalmans. This applies worldwide. In case this is not legally possible: Jan Stalmans grants anyone the right to use this work for any purpose, without any conditions, unless such conditions are required by law. العربية | Български | Česky | Dansk | Deutsch | Ελληνικά | English | Español | فارسی | Français | Italiano | 日本語 | Nederlands | Polski | Português | Русский | Svenska | Türkçe | Українська | 中文 | ‪中文(台灣)‬ | +/-

• Permission from Jan Stalmans to release it in the public domain in OTRS Ticket#: 2007111010011079
  • 11-11-2007 Ondergetekende, Jan Stalmans, bevestig hiermede eigenaar te zijn van de brief van 11 september 2007 waarop de kunstenaar PAUL VAN HOEYDONCK eigenhandig een verklaring geschreven heeft i.v.m."Fallen Astronaut". IK GEEF HIERBIJ DE TOELATING OM DEZE BRIEF VRIJ TE GEVEN IN HET PUBLIEKE DOMEIN EN DAT DEZE BIJGEVOLG PUBLIEK MAG GEMAAKT WORDEN ZONDER ENIGE BEPERKINGEN. Jan Stalmans

[edit] Who is who

Jan Stalmans - Belgian, Master Sociale Wetenschappen, Paul Harris Fellow Rotary International, autor of publications about many artists including Paul Van Hoeydonck, Paul Delvaux, Octave Landuyt and Pol Mara. Friends with Paul Van Hoeydonck since more then 40 years.

w:en:Paul Van Hoeydonck the Belgian artist who has made the sculpture w:en:Fallen Astronaut that was the first and at present only piece or art on the moon.

[edit] Why

The article w:en:Fallen Astronaut on the English language Wikipedia, and other articles related to it and also the articles about it on other Wikipedia language editions have contained incorrect information for years.

The information on Wikipedia stated that Paul Van Hoeydonck had sold 950 signed copies of the Fallen Astronaut for $750 a piece.

Jan Stalmans has sent a letter (this letter) to inform him that he had read this on Wikipedia and to ask him of that was correct. Paul Van Hoeydonck responded by writing a note on the letter and sending it back to clarify this.

[edit] The text of this letter

[edit] the part written by Jan Stalmans (printed)

Beste Paul, Op de site Wikipedia lees ik over het beeldje Fallen Astronaut. (fotokopij in bijlage) Is deze info juist? Hoeveel zijn er nu werkelijk onder uw handtekening en toelating gemaakt? Ik weet:

• 1 ex op de maan
• 1 ex in Smithsonian Institute
• 1 ex Koning Boudewijn
• 1 ex Oostende Museum W.Van den Bussche
• 1 ex Restany in Vesuvius
• 1 ex bij ons

Hartelijke groeten en graag je te lezen. Jan

Draft quality translation!

Dear Paul, On the website Wikipedia I read about the statue Fallen Astronaut. (photocopy in attachment) Is this information correct? How many are there now actually made with your signature and permission? I know:

• 1 ex on the Moon
• 1 ex at the Smithsonian Institute
• 1 ex King Boudewijn
• 1 ex Oostende Museum W.Van den Bussche
• 1 ex Restany in Vesuvius
• 1 ex with us

Best greetings and hope to read you soon. Jan

[edit] the part written by Paul Van Hoeydonck (handwritten)

Ik heb in Antwerpen in die periode 50 exemplaren laten maken. De meeste hiervan zijn ongetekend in mijn bezit, buiten deze welke in bruikleen gegeven zijn in Redou in het Museum voor Ruimtevaart en in het Vlaamse Parlement. Buiten 1 exemplaar, verkocht in die periode door Foncke heb ik nooit 1 cent gekregen voor een beeldje dat ik trouwens weiger te verkopen ondanks de voorstellen die men mij maakt. Handtekening Beste groeten, Paul

Draft quality translation!

I have assigned for production in Antwerp in that period 50 specimens (copies). The majority remained in my possession unsigned, except one I gave on loan in the Redou Museum for Aerospace and one on loan in the Flemish Parliament building. Except for one specimen sold at that time by Foncke I have never received a penny for any statue. I however refuse to sell any statue despite the offers I receive. Signature Best greetings, Paul

[edit] Other relevant source

• Book
  • Title: Kunstmonografie: Paul Van Hoeydonck
  • Written by: Willy Van den Bussche
  • Language: dutch
  • Publication year: 1980
  • Printed by: Lannoo, from Tielt, Belgium
  • ISBN 90-209-0885-5
  • page 16 and 17

[edit] Extract from page 16 and 17

De tentoonstelling bij Waddell in 1972 waarbij het multipliceren van het beeldje werd aangekondigd zou de start betekenen van een polemiek die de kunstenaar, onschuldig, tot op heden nog steeds een negatief imago blijft geven. De voorziene reeks multiples werd evenwel nooit gemaakt. Pagina 17 Na de polemiek met de NASA trok Van Hoeydonck echter definitief zijn toelating tot het multipliceren in.

Draft quality translation!

The exhibition by Waddell in 1972 by which the replication of the statue was announced was the start of a polemic that the artist, innocently, until at present still gives a negative image. The planed series of replicas was never made however. Page 17 After the polemic with the NASA, Van Hoeydonck withdrew definitively its permission for replication.

[edit] OTRS emails

All emails about this are under Ticket#: 2007111010011079 in dutch.