First, as expected, was an Italian national flag.
Hailing from the personal collection of Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden, this 4 x 6.5" national flag of Italy was flown to the Moon aboard Apollo 15 Command Module Endeavour, which launched from the Kennedy Space Centre on July 26, 1971 and returned to Earth on August 7, 1971.
Worden has inscribed and signed this museum-quality artefact with "Flown to the Moon on Apollo 15 — Al Worden, Apollo 15." Every mission flown during the Apollo Program was given a set of various countries' flags by NASA for the astronauts to take with them to space in their Personal Preference Kits.
 Italian flag flown to the moon signed by Apollo15's Al Worden |
Upon the crew's return, some of the flags were used as goodwill gestures for the Heads of State in each country; the other flags the astronauts were permitted to keep.
It sold for $5,500. Items connected with Apollo 15 are naturally highly coveted by space collectors, especially those associated with the actual moonwalkers David Scott and James Irwin.
We're currently offering a nuclear test ban treaty signed by David Scott with his distinctive sweeping diagonal autograph.
However, it was pipped at the post by an Apollo 16 Schematic Page which was actually flown to the lunar surface.
From the personal collection of Apollo 16 moonwalker Charlie Duke, this Lunar Module (LM) Flight Director Attitude Indicator (FDAI) Schematic Page is part of the LM Malfunction Procedures Book which he carried to the lunar surface aboard Apollo 16's Lunar Module Orion in April 1972.
 The fascinating Apollo 16 Schematic page space-flown to the lunar surface |
Duke has inscribed and signed the schematic page, "This LM Emergency Procedure Schematic flown to the Moon aboard the Apollo 16 LM "Orion." April 20-23, 1972. Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 LMP."
The item, which measures 10.5 x 7.5", is accompanied by a signed certificate of authenticity prepared by Duke on his personal stationary.
The certificate, dated October 3, 2011, indicates that the FDAI schematic was carried to the lunar surface aboard the Apollo 16 Lunar Module Orion as part of the crew's Lunar Module Systems Malfunction Procedures Book.
This they would use in the event of an emergency and to troubleshoot system problems prior to their time in the lunar module while on the surface in the Descartes Highlands of the Moon. This schematic, from Duke's lunar artifact collection, bears silent witness to mankind's first journey to, and exploration of, the magnificent lunar highlands.
It sold for $6,875, following 40 bids. This serves as a strong reminder of the continuing fascination with the moonwalkers. Their signatures have gone up in value by 564.1% since 2000 according to the PFC40 Autograph Index.
Collectors have the opportunity to buy six of the moonwalkers' signatures together on an iconic photograph at the moment. Don't miss out!
