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  Walt Cunningham's Apollo 7 limited patch (Page 1)

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Author Topic:   Walt Cunningham's Apollo 7 limited patch
divemaster
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Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-12-2010 09:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Walt Cunningham has reissued a special limited edition of 300 Apollo 7 patches that are hallmarked, numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity. You can also get them autographed by him.

Over the years, Walt has watched the "souvenir patches" get worse and worse and has had 300 patches commissioned that are identical to his original design.
Limited Edition Apollo 7 Patch

As the backup crew for Apollo 1, our intention was to focus on NASA's recovery from the fire on the pad. Our original concept was to depict a Saturn 1B rising from a ball of fire and call it the Phoenix. Al Steven's, of North American Rockwell, gave us a couple of nice sketches.

All patch designs are subject to NASA approval and we abandoned the Phoenix theme feeling it would be rejected as in bad taste. Wally asked me to give Stevens a new idea.

I focused on the earth orbital nature of our mission. After some discussion with Donn Eisele, I sketched out the round Earth with the command module in elliptical orbit front of it. The orbital plane was tilted for artistic reasons. From my sketches, Al Stevens did the final artwork and Wally approved the final design.

Calling our spacecraft "Phoenix" was out. Following the first manned Gemini mission, NASA adopted a policy against naming spacecraft. They were out of favor until Apollo 9, when having two spacecraft on the same radio frequency at the same time made it essential.

I do not recall who manufactured our original patch. I did not copyright the design and it has been copied many times, both officially and commercially, in various sizes and usually with slightly different colors. The lousy copies finally motivated me to work with Tim Gagnon to create as accurate a reproduction of our original patch as possible.

The limited edition of 300 is of higher quality than the original with a built-in means for me to determine authenticity. The limited edition patches are available only on my website, are numbered on the back and come with a certificate of authenticity.

Prices range from $15-$70 and are limited to the first 300 buyers. They will NOT be reissued. Walt states that this is the ONLY patch that is true to the original 1968 design in color, size, design and quality.

All things considered, this is a very reasonably priced collectible for a limited edition item.

This will ONLY be made available through his website.

divemaster
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Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-12-2010 11:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thank you to everyone here, in the groups and on Facebook for the very positive comments regarding this patch.

The "old" patches have been bugging him for years and I'm glad to see that he went through with this limited edition. Plus, at $15 for a numbered version with a COA, it's VERY affordable... and can also make a cool holiday or birthday present if put in a frame.

davidcwagner
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Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 09-12-2010 12:06 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for davidcwagner   Click Here to Email davidcwagner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Kudos to Mr. Cunningham for making this patch available.

Ordered a signed patch today.

divemaster
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Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-13-2010 11:22 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by davidcwagner:
Kudos to Mr. Cunningham for making this patch available.
I agree. It's about time that an M-G-A astronaut offered an AFFORDABLE collectible. Walt went out of his way to have these produced [at his own expense] to offer to people like us. The last person who did something like that was Linda Gordon producing an excellent copy of Dick's Apollo 12 checklist, but the price wasn't in double digits.

I have my new patch, and I must admit, the quality is excellent.

I think that Walt actually enjoys "us", the collectors - and tries to offer us quality things at reasonable prices.

As you said - Kudos to Mr. Cunningham.

Gilbert
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Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 09-14-2010 06:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Gilbert   Click Here to Email Gilbert     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just ordered one. The Apollo 7 patch has always been one of my favorite designs. I'm looking forward to having a high-quality and accurate reproduction.

ea757grrl
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Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 09-15-2010 02:50 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wow. I've wanted a good Apollo 7 patch forever, so this is just plain neat. I can't wait for mine. Many thanks to Walt (he and Dot are always a pleasure to do business with) for making it happen, and to all involved as well.

MarylandSpace
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Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002

posted 09-15-2010 06:51 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for MarylandSpace   Click Here to Email MarylandSpace     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
What an awesome patch. Congratulations!

dogcrew5369
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Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-15-2010 10:16 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dogcrew5369   Click Here to Email dogcrew5369     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ordered my patch too. Love the detail. Can't wait to see it. So there will only be 300 made, ever! WOW. Instant collectible.

divemaster
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Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-16-2010 06:23 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
300 - numbered - WITH a COA.

Add an autograph and you have a really nice item at a very reasonable price.

Robert Pearlman
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Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 09-16-2010 06:33 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The patch itself, now that I have seen it in person, is really very well done and worth the price alone.

In my opinion, the hallmark puts this patch into the same category as the STS-4 hallmarked patches, if not also the Apollo 17 and ASTP initialed patches.

My thanks to Walt for making this patch available. Take my advice folks, get this patch while you still can, because I believe it will be sold out before you know it...

divemaster
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Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-16-2010 10:35 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The trick is to mount it in a double sided clear frame so you can see both sides of the patch as well as the COA.

It's a lot of fun for little money. The quality and artwork can't be compared. I know it was bugging him for the longest time - I'm glad he finally followed through with it.

I have to agree with Robert - you'll really want one in your collection and you'll kick yourself if you don't have one. It's one of those silly "must-have's". I'm glad that I have mine!

I also have a signed 25th anniversary patch from Apollo 7. I wonder how they'd look displayed together? But the hallmarked patch deserves its own display.

Dave Clow
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Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 09-17-2010 11:05 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Dave Clow   Click Here to Email Dave Clow     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Beautiful work.

dogcrew5369
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Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-17-2010 05:19 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dogcrew5369   Click Here to Email dogcrew5369     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
How long does it take to get in the mail once it it paid for? Still waiting for mine.

benguttery
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Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 09-17-2010 07:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for benguttery   Click Here to Email benguttery     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mine arrive in Fort Worth today.

Peter Kemp
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Posts: 91
From: Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 09-18-2010 09:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Peter Kemp   Click Here to Email Peter Kemp     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I ordered mine, a signed/numbered version on the 13th September. It was delivered to me here in the UK this morning, the 18th which is pretty quick.

KAPTEC
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Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 09-18-2010 11:04 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAPTEC   Click Here to Email KAPTEC     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I ordered it on Sept. 12 and I'm waiting. Next week it should arrive to Madrid.

Jacques van Oene
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Posts: 861
From: Houten, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2001

posted 09-18-2010 12:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Jacques van Oene     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I order mine last Saturday and it arrived today, number 44 of 300 is now mine...very nice patch.

Thank you Walt !!

davidcwagner
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Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 09-18-2010 02:58 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for davidcwagner   Click Here to Email davidcwagner     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Doubles kudos to Mr. Cunningham.

The signed #31 patch arrived today along with a surprise, a Walt Cunningham signed LOA specifying patch #31 of 300. The patch and the letter will be framed together. Very well done.

benguttery
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Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 09-18-2010 05:18 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for benguttery   Click Here to Email benguttery     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My LOA was not signed unfortunately.

dogcrew5369
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Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009

posted 09-19-2010 05:46 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for dogcrew5369   Click Here to Email dogcrew5369     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My patch arrived on the 18th #39. I like the letter that came with it. Be nice to frame both somehow. Awesome to get one of only 300. Maybe another Apollo astronaut could step forward and have another Apollo patch made correctly.

Harald Kraenzel
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Posts: 304
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005

posted 09-20-2010 04:31 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Harald Kraenzel   Click Here to Email Harald Kraenzel     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I ordered my patch Sept.13 and it arrived today. It's the number 50 of 300. Great patch.

Many thanks to you, Walt.

mama04
Member

Posts: 151
From: Haarlem, N-H, Netherlands
Registered: Sep 2010

posted 09-20-2010 06:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for mama04   Click Here to Email mama04     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
My copy has also arrived. Number 28 of 300 is now mine and will be given a very special place in my collection.

4allmankind
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Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 09-20-2010 10:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for 4allmankind   Click Here to Email 4allmankind     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I received mine in the mail today. What a great looking patch! Thanks for the heads up on this Tracy and Robert. And thanks to Walt for getting these patches done as well!

GoesTo11
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Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004

posted 09-20-2010 03:03 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GoesTo11   Click Here to Email GoesTo11     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Just got mine today (#77). It's really a beautiful patch...vivid, correct colors and crisp, sharp embroidery.

I wish more astronauts would take ownership of these early patch designs the way Walt did with this one. So much junk out there!

garymilgrom
Member

Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007

posted 09-20-2010 03:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for garymilgrom   Click Here to Email garymilgrom     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Got mine today. I like the envelope's W. Cunningham return address as much as the patch! The patch IS superb, color and imagery. Thanks Walt.

KAPTEC
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Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005

posted 09-20-2010 04:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KAPTEC   Click Here to Email KAPTEC     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Arrived. Kudos Mr. Cunningham. A very good job and a very special patch for an older collector as I am. Thank you very much. (Jacques, mine is... #45!)

kosmo
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Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 09-20-2010 06:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kosmo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
So are the continents suppose to be grey or green? The photo on the web site shows a grey, the actual patch is a green.

KSCartist
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Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005

posted 09-20-2010 06:40 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for KSCartist   Click Here to Email KSCartist     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The patch is accurate. The continents above are an attempt to discourage anyone pirating the patch.

Playalinda
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Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009

posted 09-20-2010 11:55 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Playalinda     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Wonder who got the patches numbered 1 or 7. I think that Walt probably kept the #1 and the #7 was given to his wife. But who knows?

Walt, thanks for making this very special patch.

Apollonut
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posted 09-21-2010 06:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollonut   Click Here to Email Apollonut     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Received my Apollo 7 replica patch today - number 58. Love the attention to details especially the "WC" initials. Lets hope that similar patches are brought out for the other Apollo missions.

divemaster
Member

Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002

posted 09-21-2010 09:43 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for divemaster   Click Here to Email divemaster     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
quote:
Originally posted by Playalinda:
Wonder who got the patches numbered 1 or 7. I think that Walt probably kept the #1 and the #7 was given to his wife. But who knows?
I know the artist who helped him has #1. I have #2. Don't know who has #7.

From what Walt told me, the first 100 were gone in the first weekend. If any of you are hedging, better think fast.

GACspaceguy
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Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-22-2010 04:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Ordered mine on Sept. 12 and still waiting for fro delivery here in Georgia. Should I be concerned? If so, who should I contact? Thanks.

sfurtaw
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Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004

posted 09-22-2010 08:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for sfurtaw   Click Here to Email sfurtaw     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I don't think I'd be concerned. I ordered mine yesterday and received the following email from Col. Cunningham:
I apologize. I underestimated the demand. I am waiting for the last half of the limited edition to arrive and will send your order as soon as they arrive - at least 10 days.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-22-2010 09:13 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
THANKS!! I just wanted to make sure I did not miss out on such a rare opportunity.

Safecoat
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Posts: 93
From: Austin, TX
Registered: Sep 2007

posted 09-22-2010 12:11 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Safecoat   Click Here to Email Safecoat     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Sweet! I received a signed #19 patch today and plan to have it framed with the signed COA. Absolutely a treasure and worth every penny!

ilbasso
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Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006

posted 09-22-2010 12:12 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ilbasso   Click Here to Email ilbasso     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mine arrived today - number 24. Beautiful in every aspect! With the exception of the detailing on the CSM, I consider it to be of equal to or higher fidelity than the Beta cloth patch.

ea757grrl
Member

Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006

posted 09-22-2010 04:01 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for ea757grrl   Click Here to Email ea757grrl     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Received mine Monday, number 75/300. This thing is a beauty! Easily the best value in space collectibles I've come across in a long time. Walt Cunningham rules!

kosmo
Member

Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 09-22-2010 04:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kosmo     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Are the signed COA's coming with both the unsigned and signed patch?

andrewcli
Member

Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007

posted 09-22-2010 06:15 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for andrewcli   Click Here to Email andrewcli     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I ordered mine on the 17th and it arrived today, #87. It's a beautiful patch!!

Thanks Tim and Col. Cunningham.

GACspaceguy
Member

Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006

posted 09-22-2010 07:28 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for GACspaceguy   Click Here to Email GACspaceguy     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Mine came today! They look great! I ordered on the 12th it was quickly put in the mail on the 14th and then is must have been delivered by mule as it took 8 days to get from Texas to Georgia.

I picked up three of them numbers 25 through 27 (right behind you Jonathan). I have one signed and two unsigned. I received three COAs as well but only the one COA that matched the signed patch was signed the other two were not. What a great gift to the collecting community!


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