posted 04-11-2011 09:58 AM            

The featured item in this sale is the COMMAND CONTROL PRESSURE SUIT (Lot #380)

Conceived in 1987, 11 years before the first space station element was delivered to orbit, CCPS is a visionary rear-entry suit that can be outfitted for weightlessness or planetary operations. Even more, it was designed to serve as a cockpit for a Lunar Lander, making the system lighter and more efficient. This suit was tested by Apollo 17 Astronaut Harrison (Jack) Schmitt, who gave it a favorable review, especially the visibility aspects. Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin wrote, "I wish we had the Griffin Suit on the Moon". This CCPS was also tested in lunar gravity aboard NASA's 'Vomit Comet', a KC-135 Strato-tanker, and was featured on the cover of 'Aviation Week and Space Technology'.

Another notable item in this sale includes a 1969 Apollo 11 Type I insurance cover boldly signed by Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins in blue felt tip (Lot #141).

Canceled on the day of lunar landing, July 20, 1969, at Houston, Texas, and features the 'Apollo 8' commemorative stamp. The NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Stamp Club full-color cachet is at left.

Also included in this sale is a 1972 Sprint Rocket Motor model with 'Sidney Stark' presentation plaque (Lot #421).

This beautifully stylized Sprint F/S rocket motor model measures 12¾"x4¾" in diameter. The Sprint rocket was an ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile). The model is constructed of a brown fiberglass type, translucent material with machined aluminum rings on top and bottom. Clear Hercules decal applied center of model body. Chromed inscription reads: Presented to\ Sidney Stark\ SPRINT\ 1962-1972.

Other highlights include:

• (Lot #114) 1991 Outstanding astronaut autographed 11"x14" photo with 20 signatures including astronauts Michael Collins, Alan Bean, John Young, James Lovell, Rusty Schweickart, Frank Borman, Buzz Aldrin, Al Worden, Wally Shirra, Scott Carpenter, Charlie Duke, Dave Scott, Edgar Mitchell, Richard Gordon, Walt Cunningham, Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt.
  
• (Lot #301) 1960s Gus Grissom autographed color litho.
  
• (Lot #67) Beautiful c.1990s color photo on Kodak paper signed by Astronaut and former X-15 pilot Neil Armstrong in blue ink.

In addition, there is an Aviation section chock full with many large lots containing hundreds of aviator autographs from the early years of manned flight through the space age. Large groups of photographs, lithographs, documents, covers and postage stamps are also present.

Catalogs should be in the mail by the end of May and complimentary copies of the catalog are available for those of you who are not on our mailing list. Please click here to receive your free copy or email: pkols@RegencySuperior.com.

You can bid LIVE online 24/7 at http://www.regencysuperior.com before the auction, as well as live during the auction. Or, attend the auction in person on Friday, June 10th at our St. Louis Gallery. Lots are available for viewing in the gallery beginning Monday, May 9th.

For specific questions regarding this auction, please contact Alan Lipkin at alipkin@RegencySuperior.com.