Auction Date:2012 Oct 17 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
TLS, one page, 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, stamp-dated June 23, 1969. Letter of thanks to a woman in Honolulu, Hawaii, written just three weeks before the launch of Apollo 11. In full: “Colonel Aldrin and I appreciate your taking the time to write us for your suggestion on a message from the lunar surface. We do not know at this time what our inclination will be should we be successful in our landing attempt. I certainly hope you will be pleased with whatever message we do have and the impressions that people on earth receive from our efforts.” In fine condition, with Armstrong’s flourish lightly affecting Aldrin’s signature, and the opening stroke of another Armstrong signature, inadvertently started in Aldrin’s space. Accompanied by a printed Apollo 11 mission information sheet from NASA, as well as the original mailing envelope, and a couple of news clippings mentioning Armstrong’s and Aldrin’s moonwalks and possible statements when touching the lunar surface.
This amazing letter pertains to one of the most historically significant broadcasts of all time—the first words sent to Earth from another world. Even before Armstrong, Aldrin, and Michael Collins would lift off for the moon on Apollo 11, people wondered what those words might be. With the danger and uncertainty that swirled around the historic NASA mission, its success was more important to the Armstrong and the crew than what words would be uttered. As Armstrong noted here, “We do not know at this time what our inclination will be should we be successful in our landing attempt. I certainly hope you will be pleased with whatever message we do have.” The astronaut later explained that following a train of thought that he had had after launch and during six hours and 40 minutes after landing, he developed the now famous line, “That’s one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind.” This is the only correspondence we have seen between Armstrong and Aldrin and someone outside of NASA regarding one of the most historic and familiar quotes of modern times.
Auction Location:
5 Rt 101A Suite 5, Amherst, New Hampshire, 03031, United States
Previewing Details:
Visit www.RRAuction.com
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
20% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
Up to $100 $10.00
$101-$500 $15.00
$501-$1,000 $20.00
$1,001-$3,000 $35.00
$3,000-$10,000 $45.00
Over $10,000 $100.00
Payment Details:
Paypal address: mandy@rrauction.com
Accepted Payment Methods:
- VISA
- Master Card
- Discover
- Money Order/Bank Draft
- Check/Cheque
- PayPal
Buyers Premium:
A buyer's premium of 20% will be added to all winning bids. RR Auction prefers cash, check, or wire payments. For winning bids of $5,000 our less, clients may choose to pay via credit card or PayPal for an additional 2.5% convenience fee. You are obligated to honor any bid(s) you make, and you authorize us to charge your credit card for any unpaid winnings. Your bid is a contract. Placing a bid online means you agree to abide by the terms and conditions listed by RRAuction.
Payment methods accepted
Money Order, Cashier's Check, Personal Check, or Wire Transfer.
Payment for items won in auction 393 is due by Monday, October 29, unless prior arrangements have been made. Late payment may result in suspension of your bidding privileges. Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, or Discover are only accepted up to $5,000 without prior arrangement: please contact Mandy Eaton-Casey.
Further descriptions
Please feel free to call (603) 732-4280 or email (stacey.jordan@rrauction.com) us with any questions regarding items in our auction.