posted January 02, 2003 08:57 PM               

As you stare into the heavens on a clear night, and your eyes rendezvous with our moon, you remember July 20, 1969, the day the astronauts looked back at you. For most of us, the first moon landing was one of the few events in a lifetime that you will always remember, "where you were when it happened."

The Krone Apollo 11 pen contains elements of that monumental voyage. At the top of the cap is a recessed footprint that depicts the print of the first step on the moon. The pen is formed of a fine Italian resin with silver and white flecks, which represent the great translunar void of space. Embossed on the clip is a raised olive branch, one of the enduring symbols of the mission, signifying Apollo as a mission of peace. The Apollo 11 command module, Columbia, is raised in polished sterling silver on the matte finish overlay of the moon's surface, simulating the moon's dull "magnificent desolation." Embedded within the Command Module is the actual Kapton foil that survived re-entry and returned to Earth with Columbia on the Apollo 11 flight. The Kapton foil, gold colored on the front with a silver backing, played a critical role in protecting the astronauts from the extreme elements of deep space by reflecting the sun's intense heat away from the Columbia Command Module.

Included with the pen is a letter, hand signed by Buzz Aldrin, which authenticates the Kapton foil. An Apollo 11 leather portfolio holding the Aldrin letter is also included. The entire contents of the set are contained in an impressive embossed black leather case. The immortal words left behind on the leg of the Lunar Module--"Here men from Planet Earth set foot upon the Moon. We came in peace for all of Mankind. July 1969AD."-- Are inscribed on a plaque, revealed as the case is opened. Also included is the inkpot with Apollo 11 markings.

The Krone Apollo 11 pen integrates the most profound symbols of the Apollo 11 mission with the rarest of all space collectibles, an authentic artifact of the Columbia spacecraft, the vehicle which carried Armstrong, Aldrin, and Collins to the moon, on that historic day in July 1969.

The edition size is: 488 sterling silver, 18 gold, 8 platinum worldwide.