Space Highlights of Public Auction #69

Space Memorabilia

Dr. William B. Rich
1914-2004

Dr. William B. Rich served as Associate Director of Educational Programs at NASA headquarters in Washington, DC. During his 20-year tenure at NASA, Dr. Rich was instrumental in the development of the ‘Spacemobile’ educational program. He designed and promoted educational materials and programs for school children to learn about space exploration.

In addition, Dr. Rich headed NASA’s Speaker’s Bureau until his retirement in 1978. This was a community outreach program to share how space exploration has affected the past, present, and future of our lives. Dr. Rich supervised the public relations of astronauts’ tours which included visits to hometowns, schools, civic clubs, and churches on a national scale. He had the honor of traveling with the astronauts on various speaking engagements after their returns from missions.

The collection offered within includes four FLOWN Apollo Mission Patches (lot 120), a FLOWN Apollo 13 Silk Flag (lot 285), and autographed photographs & lithographs that were received during the course of daily contact with the astronauts themselves immediately following their missions. Dr. Rich was highly respected, and was given these mementos in appreciation of his contributions to the program.

Lot 120: Flown Patches

Lot 285: Flown Flag & Patch

Flown

Lot 191: Apollo 11 Flown LM Lunar Surface Checklist

A single two-sided sheet, being SUR-56 & SUR-57 from the checklist. A typed letter signed by Buzz Aldrin reads in part: “This sheet lists procedures and steps required to enable Neil Armstrong and I to leave the lunar surface after our historic surface exploration... Checklist for lunar surface activities was a vital document to the success of our mission. It provided information on steps required to operate equipment associated with the first lunar landing. This sheet has been in my private collection since 1969."

Lot 192: 1969 Apollo 11 Flown to the Moon
Beta Cloth Patch Signed by the Crew

Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin & Michael Collins all signed this 6"x6" Beta Cloth Crew Patch. Certificate of Authenticity hand-written by Michael Collins is included.

Lot 456: 1975 Flown Soyuz/Apollo Cover

One of only 25 covers (7 of this type) flown aboard this historic joint Mission. All five members of the crew signed this cover: Valey Kubasov, Alexei Leonov, Tom Stafford, Deke Slayton & Vance Brand. Certificate of Authenticity signed by Valery Kubasov indicating that this cover is from his personal collection is included. Pristine.

Autographs

Lot 409: 1976 Multiple Signed ‘Wings Club’ Program to Neil Armstrong

In 1976, ‘The Wings Club’ presented its ‘Distinguished Achievement Award’ to Neil Alden Armstrong: ‘For his valued contributions to the science of flight as engineer, test pilot, astronaut, educator...’. On the photo page with a picture of Armstrong is his signature inscribed: ‘To Tommy-’ also present are signatures of: Harrison Schmitt, Frank Borman, Charlie Duke, John Young, Scott Carpenter, Richard Gordon, Wally Schirra, James Lovell, Edgar Mitchell, Tom Stafford, Walt Cunningham, Gene Cernan, Alan Bean, Buzz Aldrin, Jimmy Doolittle & Floyd Hall (president of Wings Club & chairman of Eastern Airlines), plus one other signature. Outstanding condition and extremely rare.

Models

Lot 857: 1958 Vanguard I Satellite Model

Major model 31"x31" made from ORIGINAL PARTS left over from the satellite that was launched. This aluminum model is mounted on a clear Lucite base with a descriptive plaque that reads: “Reproduction of the Satellite Vanguard (1958 Beta 2) launched 17 March 1958, 0716 EST/Project Vanguard/Naval Research Laboratory’. This satellite, America’s answer to Sputnik, fits that bill to a tee. Extraordinarily rare.

Lot 882: c.1957-60s Vostok Model

This impressive 12"x4"x16" stainless steel 1:25 scale model with green trim. An exquisitely executed model of the first manned spacecraft, presented to a major rocket designer for a 70th Anniversary by the Chief Constructor of Rocket Engines Valentin Glushko. Includes extraordinarily delicate detail.