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Lot 168
[Apollo 8] THE FIRST SELFIE FROM ANOTHER WORLD William Anders, 21-27 December 1968
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue Hoche€1,500 - €2,000
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[Apollo 8] THE FIRST SELFIE FROM ANOTHER WORLD
William Anders, 21-27 December 1968
Printed 1968.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-68-56532].
Numbered "NASA S-68-56532" 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 historic image captures astronaut William Anders aboard Apollo 8, taking what can be considered the first "selfie" from another world. As the spacecraft completed its first orbit of the Moon, Anders turned the onboard 16mm motion picture camera toward himself, preserving a rare and candid moment of human presence in deep space.
The image is more than just a self-portrait—it symbolizes humanity's first journey beyond Earth's gravitational influence and into lunar orbit. The dimly lit Command Module interior, the floating sensation of weightlessness, and the reflection of light through the spacecraft window all contribute to the feeling of isolation and discovery.
Apollo 8 was a mission of many firsts: the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth orbit, the first to reach and orbit the Moon, and the first to show Earth in its entirety from afar. Anders, famously known for capturing the legendary Earthrise photograph, here documents his own presence in that groundbreaking voyage, embodying the human aspect of this historic endeavour.
Printed 1968.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-68-56532].
Numbered "NASA S-68-56532" 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 historic image captures astronaut William Anders aboard Apollo 8, taking what can be considered the first "selfie" from another world. As the spacecraft completed its first orbit of the Moon, Anders turned the onboard 16mm motion picture camera toward himself, preserving a rare and candid moment of human presence in deep space.
The image is more than just a self-portrait—it symbolizes humanity's first journey beyond Earth's gravitational influence and into lunar orbit. The dimly lit Command Module interior, the floating sensation of weightlessness, and the reflection of light through the spacecraft window all contribute to the feeling of isolation and discovery.
Apollo 8 was a mission of many firsts: the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth orbit, the first to reach and orbit the Moon, and the first to show Earth in its entirety from afar. Anders, famously known for capturing the legendary Earthrise photograph, here documents his own presence in that groundbreaking voyage, embodying the human aspect of this historic endeavour.
Footnotes
[NASA caption] APOLLO 8 IVA – Astronaut William A. Anders, lunar module pilot, is shown during intra vehicular activity (IVA) on the Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission. This still print was made from movie film taken by an onboard 16mm motion picture camera.
Watch more
CLICK HERE: Apollo 8 - 16-mm magazine K
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