Description:

Apollo XI
Mexico City, Mexico, ca. September 29-30, 1969
Apollo XI Astronauts & Their Wives Sign Photo, Plus Crew Signed Cover, Superb and Unique. Photo Signed At Apollo XI Presidential Goodwill Tour, Pre-Cert Zarelli
Archive

A monumental Apollo XI display containing two complete sets of Apollo XI crew members' signatures, plus a complete set of signatures from their wives! Ca. 1969. [Mexico City, Mexico.] From top to bottom, the display contains three items: a NASA group photograph signed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin, along with their wives Janet Armstrong, Patricia Collins, and Joan Aldrin respectively; a NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Stamp Club Official First Day Cover signed by Amstrong, Collins, and Aldrin; and an invitation dating from the astronauts' visit to Mexico City as part of the 1969 Giantstep Presidential Goodwill Tour. Not examined out of the frame. Matted and framed to an overall size of 15.5" x 24" x 1.5." Provenance: Purchased at the Spring 1996 Space Memorabilia Auction (May 18-19, 1996) at Superior Stamp & Coin Galleries (Beverly Hills, California) as Lot 407; the auction sticker is still present in the upper right corner of the frame. This item has been pre-certified by space expert Steve Zarelli. If you wish to purchase a comprehensive COA, please contact him directly via zarellispaceauthentication.com.

The autographed collectibles in this display relate to the 1969 Giantstep Apollo XI Presidential Goodwill Tour. This public relations trip was personally commissioned by President Richard Nixon, who wanted to frame the recent Moon landing as a gift to humanity, not just to the United States. The Apollo XI crew members and their wives, along with an entourage of NASA, State Department, and White House officials, embarked on a 38-day 6-continent 24-country 29-city international tour in late September 1969, including to Yugoslavia, then behind the Iron Curtain. Their first stop on September 29-30, 1969 was Mexico City. Before their return to the United States seven weeks later on November 5, 1969, the astronauts had shaken about 25,000 hands; been ogled by an estimated 100 million spectators; and participated in 22 press conferences. They had met innumerable ambassadors, Prime Ministers, Kings and Queens, and even Pope Paul VI!

In Mexico City, the Apollo XI motorcade was greeted by confetti, bouquets, and mariachi bands as it passed through Zocalo Plaza and onto the Mexico City City Hall. The three astronauts were photographed wearing festive sombreros for the occasion. Armstrong delivered a few remarks in Spanish, and all three astronauts received the keys to the city. At a dinner hosted by Mexican President Gustavo Diaz Ordaz and the First Lady of Mexico, the astronauts were gifted with tie clips and cufflinks modeled after 1968 Mexico City Olympic medals, and their wives received traditional indigenous scarves, or revozos.

The display includes:

1. A NASA group photograph, most likely an official portrait, of all three Apollo XI crew members, signed by the astronauts and their wives in thick black felt tip pen. The sight size of the semi-glossy color photograph is 9.25" x 6.875." Signatures include: Neil Armstrong (1930-2012), signed as "Neil Armstrong" at lower left; below his wife Janet Armstrong's signature, as "Jan Armstrong"; Michael Collins (1930-2021), signed as "M Collins" at center; below his wife Patricia Collins's signature, as "Pat Collins"; Buzz Aldrin (born 1930), signed as "Buzz Aldrin" at lower right; above his wife Joan Aldrin's signature, as "Joan Aldrin."

2. A NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Stamp Club Official First Day Cover signed by all three Apollo XI crew members: Armstrong, as "Neil Armstrong" near the right edge; Collins, as "M Collins" at center left; and Aldrin, as "Buzz Aldrin" at bottom left. Bearing two postmarks, one dated July 20, 1969 postmarked "Moon Landing / USA"; and one dated September 9, 1969 from Washington, D.C. With a colorful cachet at left, and a cancelled "First Man On The Moon" 10-cent stamp at upper right. Sight size of signed cover: 6.375" x 3.625."

3. A partly printed and partly manuscript invitation in Spanish inviting "Señor David Cudlip" to attend a celebration in honor of the Apollo XI astronauts on September 29, 1969 at Los Pinos, Mexico City, Mexico. A blind-embossed Mexican seal is at center top. Gentle toning, else near fine. Sight size of invitation: 6.625" x 4.25."

This invitation almost certainly belonged to David R. Cudlip (born 1933), an ex-Army serviceman who was on special assignment to the White House. Cudlip served on the White House Advance Team assigned to the 1969 Giantstep Apollo XI Presidential Goodwill Tour.

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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  • Dimensions: framed size: 15.5" x 24" x 1.5"
  • Medium: Archive

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