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Lot 251
[Apollo 11] THE ONLY COLOUR IMAGE OF BOTH NEIL ARMSTRONG AND BUZZ ALDRIN ON THE MOON NASA, 16-24 July 1969
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue Hoche€3,000 - €5,000
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[Apollo 11] THE ONLY COLOUR IMAGE OF BOTH NEIL ARMSTRONG AND BUZZ ALDRIN ON THE MOON
NASA, 16-24 July 1969
Printed 1969.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-69-40308]
Numbered "NASA S-69-40308" in red in the top margin, with "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
An image of extraordinary significance— the only colour image officially released by NASA after the mission showing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin together on the lunar surface during humanity's first exploration of another world.
Captured by an automatic 16mm movie camera mounted in the Pilot's window of the Eagle Lunar Module, this rare image stands apart from all other NASA-released visuals of the two astronauts, which originate from the black-and-white TV transmission.
This historic scene captures Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin setting up the U.S. flag at Tranquillity Base. In the background, the TV camera that broadcast the event to millions stands as a silent witness. The foreground features the LM's shadow and a thruster, framing the desolate lunar landscape of humanity's first outpost beyond Earth.
"During a pause in experiments, Neil suggested we proceed with the flag. It took both of us to set it up and it was nearly a disaster. Public Relations obviously needs practice just as everything else does. A small telescoping arm was attached to the flagpole to keep the flag extended and perpendicular. As hard as we tried, the telescope wouldn't fully extend. Thus the flags which should have been flat, had its own unique permanent wave."
—Buzz Aldrin (NASA SP-350, p. 216)
Printed 1969.
Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-69-40308]
Numbered "NASA S-69-40308" in red in the top margin, with "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
An image of extraordinary significance— the only colour image officially released by NASA after the mission showing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin together on the lunar surface during humanity's first exploration of another world.
Captured by an automatic 16mm movie camera mounted in the Pilot's window of the Eagle Lunar Module, this rare image stands apart from all other NASA-released visuals of the two astronauts, which originate from the black-and-white TV transmission.
This historic scene captures Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin setting up the U.S. flag at Tranquillity Base. In the background, the TV camera that broadcast the event to millions stands as a silent witness. The foreground features the LM's shadow and a thruster, framing the desolate lunar landscape of humanity's first outpost beyond Earth.
"During a pause in experiments, Neil suggested we proceed with the flag. It took both of us to set it up and it was nearly a disaster. Public Relations obviously needs practice just as everything else does. A small telescoping arm was attached to the flagpole to keep the flag extended and perpendicular. As hard as we tried, the telescope wouldn't fully extend. Thus the flags which should have been flat, had its own unique permanent wave."
—Buzz Aldrin (NASA SP-350, p. 216)
Footnotes
From the mission transcript as the scene was described by Mission Control in Houston to Michael Collins orbiting the Moon in Columbia (image captured at T+110:09:50 after launch):
110:09:05 McCandless (Mission Control): The EVA is progressing beautifully. I believe they are setting up the flag now.
110:09:14 Collins: Great!
110:09:18 McCandless: I guess you're about the only person around that doesn't have TV coverage of the scene.
110:09:25 Collins: That's all right. I don't mind a bit. (Pause) How is the quality of the TV?
110:09:35 McCandless: Oh, it's beautiful, Mike. It really is.
110:09:39 Collins: Oh, gee, that's great! Is the lighting halfway decent?
110:09:43 McCandless: Yes, indeed. They've got the flag up now and you can see the stars and stripes on the lunar surface.
110:09:50 Collins: Beautiful. Just beautiful.
Literature
National Geographic, December 1969, p. 735
Moon: Man's Greatest Adventure, Thomas, ed., p. 194
Watch more
CLICK HERE: Apollo 11 Moonwalk Part 2 of 4