A US space memorabilia auction was highlighted yesterday (October 7) by the sale of an Apollo 11 flown cover.
Signed by all members of Apollo 11's legendary crew, the cover sold for $26,000 against a $20,000-30,000 estimate.
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The cover was an official NASA Manned Spaceflight Center Stamp Club item, on which Buzz Aldrin has written: "carried to the moon on Apollo 11". Featuring a Webster, TX datestamp from August 11, 1969 - two weeks after the crew returned to earth - the cover also displayed a rubber stamped three-line note, which read: "Delayed in quarantine at lunar receiving laboratory MSC Houston Texas".
Boasting a colour illustration of the Moon landing as well as clear, bold signatures, this was a highly attractive piece for collectors, with its value boosted further by the recent death of Neil Armstrong.
Also among the Apollo 11 flown items was a small silk US flag, which had been mounted on a Buzz Aldrin signed presentation certificate. In addition to the signature on the certificate, Aldrin had also signed next to his handwritten note on the flag itself, which read: "Flown to the Moon - Apollo XI".
With water staining at the upper left and a corner crease marring its otherwise sound condition, the flag sold for $7,150. Another, much larger signed Apollo 11 flag sold for a $47,700 in January this year.
Also featuring was an eight by 10 inch signed copy of the official Apollo 11 portrait, which had the Apollo 11 mission logo added at the upper right. In prisitine condition, the print sold for $7,318, achieving an 82.9% increase on its $4,000 high estimate.
Paul Fraser Collectibles is currently offering a superb collection of Apollo 11 signed memorabilia, including the signed training suit that Buzz Aldrin wore in preparation for the mission.
