Astronaut edibles at out-of-world prices

Space-flight memorabilia is a hot market but collectors do have their limits. One item that did not find a taker at the recent Aurora Space and Aviation Memorabilia Auction here was an unopened, pull-top can of tuna left over from a Skylab training program. It could have been snapped up for $35, too.

The bidders’ enthusiasm may have been dimmed by the catalog description, which said that the can was “extensively rusted at top and shows some leakage” and probably isn’t the kind of food you want to take “on a picnic.”

*

Moving from food to beverages: One bidder at the space auction did pay $84 for a “stainless steel flask bearing a raised image of a cosmonaut performing a space walk.” It wasn’t clear whether the flask had made any flights, but the catalog said, “Rumor has it that every cosmonaut took a flask or two into space.” And it was empty.

*

And for dessert: Someone also forked over $960 for a 45-year-old banana pellet in “pristine (uneaten) condition.” This was one of the rewards for chimpanzees who were in training for space flights prior to the manned program. The pellet was mounted and framed just beneath a photo of Ham, who flew into space -- though he was said to have gained a few pounds from eating so much.

*

A “thing” for food: Back on Earth -- if you put West L.A. in that category -- Eric Engel found a restaurant that evidently figures a mystery menu will attract customers (see photo).

*

Don’t know much about geography: While awaiting her delayed flight, Hedy Mishkind of Beverly Hills noticed that Los Cabos had been transplanted to Idaho (see photo). (The flight before had gone to Sun Valley, Mexico, I mean, Idaho.)

*

Unreal estate: Randi Hutchinson of Santa Moncia and Tony Taddeo of San Gabriel noticed what must be a huge home, judging by what the closet will hold (see accompanying).

*

Dueling lyrics: The directions for Grammy voters struck Harvey Geller of Tarzana as off-key (see accompanying).

*

Landmarks R Us: The TV series “Hustle” aired an episode the other night in which some con men and a con woman try to trick a wealthy Texan -- and memorabilia fanatic -- into “buying” the HOLLYWOOD sign from them.

In real life, the sign is not for sale, although an occasional offer does surface.

A couple of years ago, the Hollywood Visitors Information Center was asked by a tourist: “Where can I go to buy the HOLLYWOOD sign? I have a lot of money and want to buy it.” In 1991, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce received a letter from one Princess Thekla von Stett-Vasary, who said she had heard that the sign was for sale “and shall be offered through Sotheby’s London to the highest bidder.” The princess declared she wanted to buy it for “my Caribbean island, from where the 50-foot-high letters, properly illuminated, could be seen from afar, becoming a landmark for all visiting tourists as well as a checkpoint for the marine.” No deal there, either, and it was later reported that the princess’ letter may have been a hoax, believe it or not. (Don’t bother to Google her -- you won’t find her.)

But even if the landmark is not for sale, that can of leaking tuna is still available.

*

miscelLAny: For our ever-growing list of mangled city names, Jane Rumph of Pasadena saw a reference on a website to the Marine Corps Officer’s Club in “Twentynice” Palms. Said Rumph: “We knew they were a friendly bunch out there.”

*

Steve Harvey can be reached at (800) LATIMES, Ext. 77083, by fax at (213) 237-4712, by mail at Metro, L.A. Times, 202 W. 1st St., L.A. 90012, and by e-mail at steve.harvey@latimes.com.