posted 11-03-2003 08:55 PM               

As if by itself, the solid 18 karat gold Lunar Module crafted by Cartier and gifted to Apollo 11 CMP Michael Collins was not enough to attract bidders to Aurora Galleries' Lot 588 in their auction this weekend, the model was discovered today to hold its own hidden treasure.

After being tipped to an embedded microfilm by Buzz Aldrin, Aurora's staff carefully inspected the LM to uncover the untouched roll, stowed within the skirt of the model's descent engine. The contents of the film, which lists those associated with the model's presentation, will be left for the winner to fully reveal, though Aurora's staff admits to having taken a quick peak.

During a visit to Buzz Aldrin this morning, the subject of Michael Collin's 18kt gold LM model, presented to each of the Apollo 11 astronauts by French newspaper Le Figaro during their 1969 post-flight trip to Europe and included in our auction, came up. Dr. Aldrin asked if the model included the microfilm roll. I asked "What microfilm roll?" He proceeded to tell me that each model contained a hidden roll of microfilm secreted within the model. This film contains pages of names of persons associated with the Apollo 11 presentation of this model. I told Buzz I never knew the film existed and therefore hadn't looked for it.

After I got back to the office, Victoria and I went on a treasure hunt using the model as the subject. Amazing how many places on a LM are possible hiding places. After much searching, we discovered that the skirt of the LM rocket engine on the base was removable and, contained within (sure enough), THERE was the roll of film. This film has been secreted here for the past 34 years, untouched and unseen, and, even better yet, it is in excellent condition.

Curiosity got the better of Victoria and me. We removed the film and partially unrolled it to see what it said. Near as we can tell, it is written in French (Surprise!) and begins: "Homage des Lecteurs du Figaro aux Astronautes American. Liste des Souscripteurs por les "LEM" D'Or..."

posted 11-04-2003 06:02 AM               

"Homage des Lecteurs du Figaro aux Astronautes American. Liste des Souscripteurs por les "LEM" D'Or..."

posted 11-04-2003 10:50 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by 1202 Alarm:
Therefore it was a gift entirely paid by the readers, and a tribute from the French people to the US Space effort and the A11 crew.

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Granted it has been many years, but still...

posted 11-04-2003 11:35 AM               

I thought about it for a minute and had the same reaction but then if it's a gift, it's a gift, right?

posted 07-18-2007 11:00 PM               

The Thrill of Victory

Whether racing to the finish line or hurtling through space, extraordinary achievements are recognized with extraordinary trophies.

Three individual 18-karat gold models of the American lunar module were made in 1969 by the jeweler Cartier of Paris on behalf of the French newspaper Le Figaro and presented to the three Apollo 11 astronauts during their postflight tour in Paris. This model was presented to astronaut Michael Collins.