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Lot 167
[Apollo 8] THE FIRST COLOR PHOTOGRAPH OF TSIOLKOVSKY, THE MOST STRIKING CRATER ON THE MOON'S FARSIDE, CAPTURED BY HUMANS Frank Borman, 21-27 December 1968
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue HocheSold for €563.20 inc. premium
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[Apollo 8] THE FIRST COLOR PHOTOGRAPH OF TSIOLKOVSKY, THE MOST STRIKING CRATER ON THE MOON'S FARSIDE, CAPTURED BY HUMANS
Frank Borman, 21-27 December 1968
Printed 1968.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS8-14-2447].
With "A Kodak Paper" watermarks on the reverse (issued by NASA / North American Rockwell, Downey, California). (North American Rockwell was NASA's prime contractor for the Apollo Command and Service Modules).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
On orbit 8 of Apollo 8, Frank Borman captured this breathtaking photograph with the 250mm telephoto lens and colour magazine 14/D, enjoying a solitary view of the spectacular far side of the Moon while Lovell and Anders were asleep. This oblique perspective looks southeast into the heart of Crater Tsiolkovsky, showcasing its prominent W-shaped central peak, dark mare-like floor, and rugged southeastern rim.
Tsiolkovsky is a 200-km-wide impact crater on the Moon's far side, first revealed to humanity in the grainy images taken by the Soviet Luna 3 probe on October 7, 1959. Its dark basaltic interior, a stark contrast to the surrounding highland terrain, made it stand out among the countless craters peppering the far side. Following this discovery, the triumphant Soviets promptly named it after Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857–1935), the pioneering Polish-Russian theorist who laid the foundation for modern rocketry and spaceflight.
Printed 1968.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image AS8-14-2447].
With "A Kodak Paper" watermarks on the reverse (issued by NASA / North American Rockwell, Downey, California). (North American Rockwell was NASA's prime contractor for the Apollo Command and Service Modules).
20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
On orbit 8 of Apollo 8, Frank Borman captured this breathtaking photograph with the 250mm telephoto lens and colour magazine 14/D, enjoying a solitary view of the spectacular far side of the Moon while Lovell and Anders were asleep. This oblique perspective looks southeast into the heart of Crater Tsiolkovsky, showcasing its prominent W-shaped central peak, dark mare-like floor, and rugged southeastern rim.
Tsiolkovsky is a 200-km-wide impact crater on the Moon's far side, first revealed to humanity in the grainy images taken by the Soviet Luna 3 probe on October 7, 1959. Its dark basaltic interior, a stark contrast to the surrounding highland terrain, made it stand out among the countless craters peppering the far side. Following this discovery, the triumphant Soviets promptly named it after Konstantin Tsiolkovsky (1857–1935), the pioneering Polish-Russian theorist who laid the foundation for modern rocketry and spaceflight.
Footnotes
The striking contrast between Tsiolkovsky's light-coloured highland peaks and its dark, smooth interior makes it one of the most visually distinctive and scientifically intriguing features of the lunar far side (Apollo 15 Flight Journal, 083:16:51).
Watch more
CLICK HERE: NASA APOLLO 8 MANNED SPACE FLIGHT REPORT 1968 LUNAR MISSION 63124
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