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Sale 118
Lot 839
Important, NASA Mercury era Hasselblad Camera and Film Magazine from the Dick Underwood Collection with LOA. This Hasselblad 70mm camera is an off the shelf model purchased by NASA in the very early days of the manned space program. This is one of only 4 Mercury era cameras known to exist. One is in the National Air & Space Museum and the other 2 are in private collections. This camera was part of the personal collection of Dick Underwood who headed NASA's photography division and was responsible for development of all cameras used on manned missions from Mercury through the early days of the Shuttle program. Underwood personally trained all astronauts who flew in the Twentieth Century on photography techniques. How to use the cameras, how to get the best photographs and to some degree, what to photograph.
Based on close examination and research of this camera by experts in the U.S. and Germany here are some important facts:
A.) This is an off the shelf Hasselblad 500C camera modified for NASA use.
B.) The camera body was manufactured in 1958. The other 3 Mercury cameras were manufactured in 1957 (1x) and 1958 (2x). The film magazine is dated 1959.
C.) The flash shoe on the side of the camera was added. This was used to hold the ring sight, which was used to aim the camera more precisely than just point and shoot.
D.) All Leatherette was removed from all 4 cameras to save weight and because NASA was concerned about "off-gassing" of the Leatherette and adhesive.
E.) The camera body and film magazine are both painted black and all 4 Mercury cameras show extensive peeling of the paint. The black paint was used to minimize reflections.
F.) The film magazine has a paper sticker with the letters "A, B, C, D" on the side. This is the same as the film magazines accompanying the other 3 Mercury bodies. As best as can be determined the letters were used either as reminders for the astronauts or in relation to the film magazines they carried.
G.) This camera does not have the mirror inside the body. It was removed to save weight since it would not be used. This is the same as one of the Mercury cameras currently in a private collection. It is unknown if the camera in the National Air & space Museum or the other privately owned one has the mirror. (The 500C is a reflex camera and the image normally goes onto the mirror and then to the viewfinder. Since the camera was used in flight with a sight ring the mirror was not needed.)
H.) The serial numbers on at least 3 of the Mercury cameras are similar and unusual for Hasselblad. They all end with the letter "B" and include the word "SERVICE"
I.) The fact that there is no NASA part number on either the body or magazine supports its acquisition during the Mercury program. (NASA specified that part numbers be added for camera's bought and modified for Gemini.)
J.) This camera and the other 3 known Mercury cameras still have the neck strap "attachment lugs" on both sides of the body present. In contrast, all Gemini 500C cameras had the lug ground down to remove it.
K.) Gemini cameras were also Hasselblad 500C camera bodies modified specifically for the Gemini program based on experience with the earlier models. One difference not present on this camera or the other three Mercury cameras is that the Gemini cameras have a metal plate over the viewfinder housing and the top of the body has been milled to a flat surface.
While we will never know if this camera was flown -- based on its age, the key factors described above, the fact that Dick Underwood trained all Gemini astronauts in photography it most certainly was at least used for training the Gemini astronauts. It may have also been used for training the latter Mercury crews and even Apollo crews. In addition, Underwood kept this camera and magazine secured in his safety deposit box with other important space memorabilia attesting to it historic importance and value. LOA by Robert Underwood. Estimated Value $9,500 - UP
Extensive Research and Catalog Description by Sandy Clarkson, The Right Stuff Inc.
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