This auction has ended. View lot details

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1667869 — William Sweetlove, "Cloned Griffon Bruxellois with pet bottle" (Black).

SEK7,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1672585 — Yayoi Kusama, after, "Pumpkin".

SEK3,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1669755 — Sorin Dumitrescu, "Crossroads".

SEK8,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1675677 — Stan Wys (Wysocki), Untitled.

SEK3,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1666777 — Karin Wikström, Untitled.

SEK3,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1680042 — Carl-Einar Borgström, Sculpture of a seated girl.

SEK2,500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1679515 — Erkki Kannosto, Girl from the monument "Red Captives".

EUR500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1679336 — Ursula Kianto, "Savimuuri".

EUR350

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1677643 — Two bronze sculptures.

SEK3,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1679517 — Matti Haupt, Boy Standing.

EUR300

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1665980 — Pierre Alexandre Schoenewerk,

SEK5,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1671897 — Dan Wolgers, invitation card, Anders Tornberg Gallery 1985.

SEK2,500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1681070 — Antero Paavola, Naked.

EUR600

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1666861 — Hjalmar Ekberg, sculpture The Great Fisherman.

SEK2,500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1676264 — Decorative sculptures 1 pair "Spoon pull Abu".

SEK1,500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1675909 — Sculpture Fisherman Borås foundry.

SEK1,500

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1678960 — Henrik Allert, Bird.

SEK3,000

Lot offered by Bukowskis, part of the Bonhams network

1624356 — Hans Andersson, Untitled.

SEK20,000

Previous Lot

Next Lot

[Apollo 8] THE HISTORIC FIRST LAUNCH OF HUMANS TO ANOTHER WORLD Ralph Morse, 21 December 1968 image 1

[Apollo 8] THE HISTORIC FIRST LAUNCH OF HUMANS TO ANOTHER WORLD Ralph Morse, 21 December 1968 image 2

Lot 154

[Apollo 8] THE HISTORIC FIRST LAUNCH OF HUMANS TO ANOTHER WORLD
Ralph Morse, 21 December 1968

FOR ALL MANKIND: THE ARTISTIC LEGACY OF EARLY SPACE EXPLORATION: Victor Martin-Malburet Collection

14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST

Paris, Avenue Hoche

Sold for €2,816 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Post-War and Contemporary Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

Dominique Ciccolella

Sale Coordinator and Expert Liaison

Tel: +33188800019

Dominique.Ciccolella@bonhams.com

Sabine Cornette de Saint Cyr

Head of Department

Sabine.CSC@bonhams-csc.com

Chloe Mayot

Senior Cataloguer

Tel: +33188800018

Chloe.mayot@bonhams.com

Marion Richard

Specialist

Tel: +33156791251

Marion.Richard@bonhams.com

[Apollo 8] THE HISTORIC FIRST LAUNCH OF HUMANS TO ANOTHER WORLD

Ralph Morse, 21 December 1968

Printed 1968-1969.

Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-68-56002].
Numbered "NASA S-68-56002" in red in the top margin, with NASA caption and "A Kodak Paper" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas).

20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)

Historical context
This powerful photograph captures the historic liftoff of Apollo 8, the first human mission to leave Earth and journey to another world. As the colossal Saturn V rocket roars skyward from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Centre, at 7:51 a.m. EST on December 21, 1968, a crescent Moon eerily looms in the background—a symbolic destination for the three astronauts aboard: Frank Borman, James Lovell, and William Anders.
This image embodies the dawn of deep-space human exploration, the first step toward fulfilling the dreams of countless generations—to voyage to another world.

Footnotes

Apollo 8 was the first crewed flight of the mighty Saturn V, a rocket designed to carry astronauts to the Moon. For the first time in history, humans would break free from Earth's gravitational grasp and orbit another celestial body. The photograph evokes the immense scale of this moment—the fiery propulsion of 7.5 million pounds of thrust sending humanity beyond its home planet for the first time.

"The Saturn V was an enormous machine. And the size of the engines?! [...] I think I felt that more going up the morning of the launch. Because it was so quiet, nobody around it. [...] I don't want to say awe, a combination of admiration—yeah, maybe awe. Wonderment."
—Frank Borman (Chaikin, Voices, p. 20)

Literature
LIFE, 10 January 1969, p. 22 (variant)

Watch more
CLICK HERE: NASA TV footage of the launch of Apollo 8 the first manned launch of the Saturn V rocket

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories excluding Wine, Coins & Medals and Motor Cars and Motorcycles:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first €40,000 of the Hammer Price
27% from €40,001 to €800,000 the Hammer Price
21% from €800,001 to €4,500,000 the Hammer Price
14.5% on the excess over €4,500,000 of the Hammer Price
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
TVA at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licences please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.
- Post-War and Contemporary Art