Bloomsbury Auctions in London held a very special event entitled: From the Earth to the Moon: Vintage NASA Photographs.
Auction featured a
private collection of 692 vintage moon landing photos; many of which were never released by NASA. Collection considered a rare documentation of the Golden Age of American Space Exploration.
First photo you see is the first
SELFIE taken in SPACE by Buzz Aldrin on Gemini 12, November 1966 - sold for £4800.
In the late 1960s Astronauts were American Royalty - step aside Hollywood.
When Neil Armstrong stepped on the moon, his heart rate spiked to 140 beats per minute. I believe the entire world`s hearts raced as well as we saw a new frontier of space exploration opened for all mankind.
Approximately 101 photos did not sell.
We have highlighted a few photos that sold for a hefty price at this historic auction.
Vintage Moon Landing Photos
1. First US Spacewalk - Ed White’s Extra Vehicular Activity over Hawaii - Gemini 4 - June 3, 1965 - SOLD £11000.
First Space Walk
Photograph by James McDivitt.
Gemini 4 Air-to-Ground Transmission:
McDivitt:
“You’re right in front, Ed. You look beautiful.”
White:
“I feel like a million dollars.”
2. Portrait of Buzz Aldrin and the Lunar Module reflected in his Gold-Plated Visor - Apollo 11 - July 1969 - SOLD £9000.
Man on Moon
Photograph by Neil Armstrong.
A Man on the Moon - the legendary image.
3. First US Spacewalk - Ed White`s Extra Vehicular Activity over New Mexico - Gemini 4 - June 3, 1965 - SOLD £8500.
Space Walk
Photograph by James McDivitt.
Gemini 4 Air-to-Ground Transmission:
Coming back into the spacecraft, White expressed his feelings to McDivitt.
White:
"That was something. That was the most natural feeling, Jim."
McDivitt:
"Yeah. I know it. You looked like you were in your mother’s womb."
4. First Earthrise seen by Human Eyes - Apollo 8 - December, 1968 - SOLD £8000.
Earthrise Over Moon`s Horizon
Photograph by William Anders.
“There was nothing in the plan for an Earthrise photo. Indeed, we didn’t even see an actual Earthrise until, on our third orbit, we changed the spacecraft’s orientation to heads up and looking forward. As we came round the back side of the moon, where I had been taking pictures of craters near our orbital track, I looked up and saw the startlingly beautiful sight of our home planet “rising” up above the stark and battered lunar horizon. It was the only color against the deep blackness of space. In short, it was beautiful, and clearly delicate”.
- W. Anders
5. Buzz Aldrin prior to becoming second human being to set foot upon the Moon - Apollo 11 - July, 1969 - £4200.
Second Man on Moon
Photograph by Neil Armstrong.
“We opened the hatch and Neil, with me as his navigator, began backing out of the tiny opening. It seemed like a small eternity before I heard Neil say, “That’s one small step for man . . . one giant leap for mankind.” In less than fifteen minutes I was backing awkwardly out of the hatch and onto the surface to join Neil, who, in the tradition of all tourists, had his camera ready to photograph my arrival.”
- Buzz Aldrin
If you would like to see the complete listing of all photos that were up for auction, please visit:
From the Earth to the Moon: Vintage NASA Photographs.
That was an out-of-this-world auction to remember!
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About the Author...
Chuck G. is a freelance blogger and celebrity interviewer based in Southern California. She`s quite the geek who likes to play arcade games and writes/produces short films. You may follow her on Twitter @chuckgwriter.
