Lot 166
Apollo 11, 1969, Manned Flight Awareness Microfilm Canister (1", framed to 13.5x17", Glass cracked) "The names of 700 outstanding space workers who helped send America's first astronauts to the moon are enshrined in a microfilmed copy of a special Apollo 11 Manned Flight Awareness Commemorative Booklet placed on the lunar surface in 1971, SpaceWorld has learned" 1976 (Jerry Lipman, "MFA Booklet on the Moon"). Carried by Apollo 15 Jim Irwin to the moon, the story of this canister and its history have been blurred and buried by time. It is believed that 30 cannisters were made originally and one was scheduled to fly on Apollo 13. Out of the remaining 29 capsules, one is in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the capsules that flew on Apollo 13 (failed to get to the moon) and Apollo 14 (not certain if the capsule was left in the NASA office or actually flew) are in private hands. It is thought that paper copies of the booklet flew on Apollo 11 and Apollo 12, but this information is only anecdotal and cannot be factually proven. The capsule was finally left on the lunar surace by Apollo 15 astronaut Jim Irwin. The capsule offered in this lot is one of the 27 remaining unflown capsules. A copy of the NASA Manned Flight Awareness printed booklet is also included. The last example of this capsule we know of that appeared in auction realized $400 in November 1993 in a Superior Galleries (now Regency Superior) auction (lot 1101). This piece will be an important addition to any Apollo lunar collection as it represents a piece of forgotten history.
Estimated Value $500 - 750.
|
| |
| Unsold |
