Author
|
Topic: Apollo patches each with secret number
|
David Silcox Member Posts: 54 From: near Lancaster, Pa. Registered: Oct 2008
|
posted 07-19-2024 02:36 PM
My son and I collected patches in tbe 90's. One NASA manager sent for from the Apollo era.He told Brad that these were made for the astronauts only and can be identified because they have a secret number in them. The letter he sent is probably in another album someplace. These were locked up for ages with beta patches. Can anyone provide background info on these? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52760 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-19-2024 02:45 PM
What you likely have are souvenir patches produced by the Lion Bros. company. Most of the company's Apollo patches have hidden hallmarks corresponding to the mission number. You can read more about them here. The only hallmarked patches that were exclusive to the astronauts generally had their initials hidden in the thread. There were also different style patches that matched what the crew wore on their flight and space suits. |
David Silcox Member Posts: 54 From: near Lancaster, Pa. Registered: Oct 2008
|
posted 07-19-2024 02:52 PM
Thanks Robert so much for this clarification.These came from Ken Kleinknecht and have cloth backing and are about 4 1/8" in diameter. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 52760 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
|
posted 07-19-2024 03:04 PM
Most Lion Bros. patches have a cloth backing, though there were also examples with a wax coating.Borrowing an image from Novaspace, I have added red circles where each of the hidden hallmarks are located (some are easier to see than others). There are no hallmarks until Apollo 12, and there is an early version of Apollo 12 without a hallmark. |