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Lunar Cancellation "Proofs" Lot of two different including "MOON LANDING, USA" (dated July 31, 19...

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
Lunar Cancellation  Proofs  Lot of two different including  MOON LANDING, USA  (dated July 31, 19...
Lunar Cancellation "Proofs" Lot of two different including "MOON LANDING, USA" (dated July 31, 1971) and "UNITED STATES ON THE MOON" (dated Aug. 2, 1971). These cancels were prepared for flight Commander Dave Scott to use on the lunar surface. Since he was unable to find time to use these on the day he and Jim Irwin landed on the moon, he decided to use the "UNITED STATES ON THE MOON" cancel only when canceling covers on the lunar surface. The U.S. Postmaster General, waiting in Mission control at JSC, gave the signal to officially issue, and cancel the stamps issued in honor of the flight, on august 2, , 1971. Examples of both postmarks are offered here on non-postal envelopes. These proof strikes were taken prior to packing and seal the cancels in the stowage lunar container, and were intended only to be specimens of the cancels. They are not flown. The covers cancelled on the moon are unique and are not available to collectors. These proof strikes are extremely rare and have only been offered three times previously to our knowledge. A similar pair of covers (with a different cachet on the "United States on the Moon" proof cover) realized almost $3,000 in the Aurora Galleries April 2002 auction. Estimate: $ 2,000 - 3,000