LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2008 MAR Grand Format Air & Space Sale #6000  / 

58039

Apollo 7 Flown Original Beta-Design Emblem

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 5,000.00 USD
Apollo 7 Flown Original Beta-Design Emblem
<B>Apollo 7 Flown Original Beta-Design Emblem; Inscribed and Signed by Walter Cunningham.</B></I> We offer here a very unusual item - an original beta-design for the Apollo 7 Moon mission emblem and patch. The design, printed on a 9 x 9" piece of white cloth, depicts the Apollo 7 command module circling the earth, with the astronaut's names around the border. The cloth has been inscribed and signed in black ink by Walt Cunningham, lunar module pilot for the mission. In full: "<I>This Beta emblem flew with me on Apollo 7, October 11-22, 1968. Walt Cunningham Apollo 7</B></I>." Also included is a typewritten letter of authenticity by Cunningham on his personal Apollo 7 letterhead, which reads in part: "The original concept for our Apollo 7 mission patch was to depict a rocket rising from a ball of flame and to call it the Phoenix - Apollo rising from the ashes of the disastrous Apollo 1 fire. When NASA would not approve such a grim reminder of a critical failure, I sat down and sketched the version that NASA finally accepted. This design emphasized the earth orbital nature of the first manned Apollo mission. The circle represents the earth; the ellipse, the shape of all earth orbital paths. The ellipse was placed at an angle for aesthetic reasons but it has become a fairly reliable indicator of original patch design. This beta cloth patch flew 4,500,000 miles on the first manned Apollo mission." In very fine condition. <I>From the collection of Walter Cunningham, who has included a signed Letter of Certification verifying its provenance.</B></I><BR><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Flat Material, Small (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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