Description:

Space
n.p., n.d.
350+ 70mm Glass Slides Documenting Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, Space Shuttle Missions! Ex-Richard Underwood
Archive

A large and diverse assortment of 350+ 70mm color glass slides, covering Gemini through the early days of the Space Shuttle program, all from the personal collection of Richard Underwood, NASA photography technical expert from the Mercury era through the early Shuttle period. Each 70mm film positive in this impressive collection is sandwiched between two glass plates held together with metallic tape, and were handmade, mostly by Underwood. Each slide measures approximately 4" x 3.3125" x .125" overall. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition. The sizable collection of glass slides is currently stored among five black archival boxes, each measuring 12.375" x 5.75" x 3.5," which are in turn housed in a sturdy Bankers box measuring 15.875" x 12.75" x 10.875" and weighing approximately 43 lbs. total.

***Please note: This item may be costly to ship due to its weight.***

Provenance: Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Robert Underwood, Robert Underwood's son, stating in part: "These items are from the personal collection of Richard 'Dick' Underwood… He was widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts in manned space flight photography and had a remarkable eye for detail." With a bonus "Richard W. Underwood" NASA business card.

This collection includes slides from Gemini, Apollo 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, Skylab, and the Space Shuttle, as well as slides that are not mission-specific but still cover NASA programs and topics. There are a wide variety of photographs featuring lunar activity; the lunar module in flight; one of a Gemini spacewalk; Skylab, both from the interior and exterior; some of the Moon taken from lunar orbit; Earthrise images; many photos capturing Earth landmasses from orbit, including Gemini, Apollo, and Shuttle Earth views. The images which are not mission-specific include illustrations, diagrams, early Shuttle design concepts and construction, lunar sample photos, and more. Approximately 60% of the images are mission-specific.

The slides were used in presentations for NASA officials, astronauts, and others to provide updates on future mission planning, spacecraft design, photographic hardware, and most importantly, Space photography. The presentations required a special large-format slide projector.

These glass slides are from the Richard Underwood Estate. After reviewing early Gemini photos with Underwood, Dr. Robert R. Gilruth said: "from now on, work with the astronauts to be sure they bring back great photographs of the Earth, and then eventually when we go to the Moon." While at NASA, Underwood instructed astronauts on proper photography techniques so that they could best document their experiences in Space. Underwood was the first person to view every Space-taken photograph from Gemini through the early Space Shuttle missions, including the Apollo lunar flights. In his role as "Supervisory Aerospace Technologist," Underwood developed Space-flown film as soon as it was returned to Earth. These slides were in Underwood's personal collection when he passed away in 2011.

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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#SpaceAstronaut

  • Dimensions: Bankers box: 15.875" x 12.75" x 10.875"
  • Medium: Archive

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May 6, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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