posted 05-22-2022 09:53 AM               

Space Cover 651: Unusual Apollo 15 Cover with Error Stamp

Apollo 15 was the first of the Apollo J missions which included a heavier weight lunar module, more complex lunar surface experiments, and coolest of all, the first car on the moon. The lunar rover enabled the crew to cover much greater distances on the lunar surface and explore more diverse areas around the landing site. The mission also included the first cancelling of stamps on the moon. The release of the Decade of Achievement pair of stamps coincided with the final lunar EVA and lift-off from the lunar surface to join back up with the command module orbiting the moon for the ride home.

The unusual cover pictured commemorates a number of Apollo 15 events. It is postmarked for the launch and for the third lunar EVA which also included day of the stamp release. This date is also the lunar lift-off date. The cover has three Bob Whitney cachets commemorating the launch, third lunar EVA, and CM Endeavour orbiting the moon/cancelling of the stamps on the moon.

Most unusual is that with the use of the Decade of Achievement stamps with a Cape Canaveral postmark, this cover becomes an unofficial first day cover since the official first day locations were Houston, Huntsville and Kennedy Space Center. If that isn't unusual enough, take a look at the lunar module stamp. It's small and hard to notice, but there is no red color on the American flag making the stamp an error! A neat little error on an unusual cover.

Check the Decade of Achievement stamps on your covers. You might just have a neat little error too!

posted 05-22-2022 01:21 PM               

The top figure is from my 8/2/71 Houston FDC for the Decade of Achievement stamps and shows the flag in the most common position (and the one that matches the image in Scott's Catalog) with the flag toward the lower part of the LM descent module.

The middle figure is from my 8/2/71 KSC postmarked SCC for the lunar liftoff, and shows the flag shifted upward toward the top of the LM descent module.

The lower figure is from my 4/27/72 Apollo 16 Captain's Cover and the flag is either shifted right (where most of it is up under the LM ladder) or only a partial strike of the flag.