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Lot 1209
Apollo 11, 1969, Lunar Flag Unflown Remnants. The Date: 1969
The Mission: Carry and place a US Flag on the Lunar Surface
The Problem: In 1967, the United States signed the United Nations Space Treaty that said, in effect: Outer Space, including the Moon, could not be claimed (by a country) because of an occupation or other means". This meant that a US flag could not be planted on the Moon after Apollo 11 landed. No plans were made by NASA in planning the mission to plant a US flag on the lunar surface.
The Solution: Shortly before the Apollo 11 mission, NASA Administrator Thomas O. Paine appointed a committee to look into the situation. The committee recommended 1) placing a US flag on the moon to show that the historic step for all mankind had been accomplished by the United States (NOT to claim possession for the US). They also recommended 2) that a plaque be left on the moon bearing the inscription - "Here men from the planet Earth first set foot upon the moon July 1969 AD. We came in peace for all mankind". 3) In addition to the large (3 x 5 feet) flag, small flags (4x6") from each of the 50 states and all UN member countries were to be carried on the mission and presented the States and UN Ambassadors after the flight. Congress was notified of these decisions and placed language regarding the placement of the US flag, and other flags on the moon, in the NASA appropriations bill. NASA did not publicize the plan in advance of the mission.
The Implementation: The plan was to be carried out by the Johnson Spacecraft Center. Dr. Robert Gilruth, Director of JSC, instructed the Chief of the Technical Services Division to develop a concept. The Chief of the Structures and Mechanics Division brought Thomas S. (Tom) Moser, a 30 year old mechanical engineer in the SMD Apollo Subsystems Project Office into the implementation - representing the interest of the Apollo Program Office and assuring the engineering integrity of the project. It was his responsibility to 1) Help determine a place to store a flag and mast on the Lunar Module, 2) assure the integrity of the flag assembly to withstand the extreme environments of launch, flight and landing, 3) Ensure that the flag could be easily accessed, assembled and planted by the astronauts and 4) Determine the requirements for locating the flag and how deep the mast had to be planted in the lunar surface so that it would not blow over or be burned by the exhaust of the LM Ascent Stage when the astronauts left the lunar surface.
After it was determined that the flag would be attached to the ladder handrail of the Lunar Module, the flag assembly for the first lunar landing mission was then ready to be produced and prepared for flight. The hardware (the two sections of mast and the flag extender rod - a telescoping tube) were manufactured by the Technical Services Division. The flag, acquired by the TSD, was modified by removing the seam and identification of the manufacture and by sewing a hem along the top of the flag so the extender rod could be attached. The scraps and cuttings made during the flag modification were originally discarded and then partially saved prior to the trash being taken out. THE FLAG SEGMENTS ATTACHED TO THE PRESENTATION PLAQUE IN THIS LOT ARE FROM MATERIAL REMOVED FROM THE US FLAG BEING PREPARED FOR LAUNCH ON APOLLO 11. Remember, all of this had to occur in absolute secrecy and in a short time period with a finite deadline (July 16th) looming over the team.
The completed assembly was then transported to Kennedy Space Center via chartered Lear jet. The Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were briefed and trained on the assembly and placing of the flag and the flag assembly and plaque were then attached to the rail and landing gear of the LM module, respectively.
After the flight, the consignor attached the flag pieces (a sewn unit of the red and white cloth flag pieces (3" and 2"respectively) and the blue piece (2.5" showing stitching needle marks) to a presentation plaque showing the US flag flying on the lunar surface. Neil Armstrong, who was the consignor's neighbor, signed the presentation a couple of weeks after the flight. Both the Armstrong autograph and the picture of the flag are faded as is the mat itself. The flag colors in the strips are still strong and bold.
To our knowledge this is the first, and probably only time, a similar presentation has, or will, ever be offered. The consignor said he gave away a few flag pieces over the years, but they probably have been lost or mislaid. It is believed that the flag no longer exists on the lunar surface due to the effects of solar radiation, temperature changes, and age. That would make these pieces the last remnants of this historic flag.
This is undoubtedly the most important Apollo 11 piece of memorabilia ever offered and one of the most important pieces of modern Americana ever to come on the market. The consignor has had it in his possession for over 40 years, known only to a handful of NASA insiders and friends. Included with the lot is a certificate of authenticity from the consignor, the consignor's background history of the lot as well as 12 NASA 8x10" color photos (most with red ID numbers), some showing the consignor, and relating to the creation of this flag and the preparations made for its flight. ALSO see "NASA Contractor's Report #188251 "Where no Flag has Gone Before: Political and Technical Aspects of Placing a Flag on the Moon", August 1993") for further details.
Both the provenance and back story surrounding these flag pieces are as solid as can be, given the history of the period. If you yearn to own the ultimate, you need look no further than this lot. Of course, you will have to outbid your fellow collectors, museums and historians in the process - but it will be worth it.
Estimated Value $100,000 - 150,000.
Ex. the Thomas L. Moser collection.
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| Realized $45,000 |
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