posted 03-23-2013 03:00 AM               

The logo's artwork (soon copied and sold by a souvenir patch maker) was first published in 1997 on the web page of the STS-86 crew (who were the first to share the personal stories surrounding their pre-launch activities with the public online) with the following descripton:

La Postalle de Nuit

Sent in by a flying colleague and friend of Jean-Loup's, Henri Eisenbeis, who wrote: "others are enjoying the dream of your flight" (Note: J-L is also known as "T2," while Scott is "TT"; Too Tall)

Jean-Loup's description of the logo:

[i]The "Postale de Nuit" was created at the end of WW II by Didier Daurat, a famous pilot among others like St. Exupery and Mermoz, who both flew the former Aeropostale between the 2 wars, as well as Daurat. He probably chose that name in remembering of St. Ex. and his famous book "Vol de Nuit". The owl came naturally as the bird who flies and sees in the dark. Flying the Postale is for me a tremendous excitement, as I always feel like these famous pilots are still around us.

posted 03-30-2013 12:12 AM               

I was outbid for this patch tonight and now I see that it was indeed a replica (which I was afraid of). I have now ordered this patch off this site for a mere fraction of what it went for tonight on eBay.