Lot 577
Space Equipment, c1968, Krechet (Gyrfalcon) Lunar Spacesuit (about 60x18") Back in the 1960s, the culmination of the space race between the Soviet Union and the United States was a moon landing. To this end, the United States developed a space program that was open to public scrutiny. The Soviet Union, on the other hand went the clandestine route and never officially acknowledged developing a lunar program. This suit is proof that the Soviets did, indeed, attempt to develop a lunar space suit for a lunar landing. Unlike the US suit which is of soft construction, the Soviets decided to go with a semi-rigid suit. This was easier to develop, but presented problems of its own - one of which was how was the cosmonaut going to get into the suit. The solution was found in making the life support system, contained in a rigid metal backpack, hinged - so the cosmonaut could just open the back of the suit and slide into it. It is believed that only five or six suits were ever manufactured by Zvezda, the manufacturer.
This suit is obviously a work in progress. Although missing the exterior, soft-cloth suit cover, the removeable gloves, the "guts" of the survival backpack, the instrument panel and the Support Trolley, the suit clearly shows the semi-rigid basis of the suit itself. The integrated helmet, green interior pressure suit and the soft inner boots, plus some of the cables and the backpack safety opening/locking mechanism are all included. There is even a pressure gauge on the left forearm.
To this writer's knowledge, only one other example of this spacesuit has ever been up for public auction. It was consigned by Zvezda and included in the Sotheby Park Benet December 1993 auction where it was purchased for $189,000 plus commission (?) and given on loan by the buyer to the Smithsonian where it remains on exhibit to this day. That suit was complete in all respects. Shortly thereafter, this writer brokered a private sale of a suit, in somewhat similar condition to this one (but including the outer cloth suit cover) for a low, six-figure amount.
The suit offered here is believed to be the only one to come on the market since that time. The other examples are believed to be in Museums in Europe and Russia.
Given the rarity of this spacesuit, even finding an example of this suit is a major achievement. Despite its lack of refinement, acquisition of this suit, will be the highpoint of any collection.
Estimated Value $50,000 - 65,000.
|
| |
| Realized $100,050 |
