Apollo Artifacts

First Man on the Moon pennant

After the Apollo 11 astronauts returned to earth in July 1969, the whole of America (and the world) went moon crazy. Souvenirs of all kinds were created. I like this pennant—it’s classic of the time period.

Apollo 11 prime crew photo with autopen signatures

The astronauts became famous celebrities and many people wanted their autographs. When requests came in to the astronaut offices in Florida or Houston they were often fulfilled by using an autopen signature on a crew portrait.

I find these items fascinating and have an example of each Apollo crew portrait with autopen signatures in my collection. The Apollo 11 example has become an increasingly valuable collectible in its own right.

Apollo 11 launch viewing pass

Special guests who were invited to watch the launches of the Apollo program from a special viewing area were issued passes. These lucky few were entitled to be at a spot that was as close to the launch as one could safely get. I have a launch viewing pass from each Apollo mission in my collection.

On the other missions, the passes were rather ordinary. But with the launch of Apollo 11 on July 16, 1969, the first lunar landing attempt, NASA dressed up the launch viewing passes and for the first time wrote on the pass: "After launch, it may be kept as a souvenir of the mission."

Press passes to cover the Apollo 11 launch and activities at mission control

These interesting passes issued to Fred Cambria from CBS Television entitled him to cover the launch from Kennedy Space Center and then cover the mission as it unfolded from the NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston.

Commemorative Apollo 11 stamp folio sent to members of the media by President Nixon

Upon returning to earth, the crew of Apollo 11, the first lunar landing mission spent many months touring the world as heroes. Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins became three of the most famous people on earth.

Nixon, who had a reputation of being distrustful of the press, used the Apollo 11 success as a chance to send a souvenir packet to journalists, perhaps to win their favor.

This package includes an envelope, letter from Nixon, and first day of issue stamp folio. The crew signatures are printed and the Nixon signature is (I think) an autopen.