Topic: US Historical Society's 'Alan Shepard' statue
JLR1 Member
Posts: 63 From: Cincinnati, OH Registered: Oct 2008
posted 03-08-2017 08:26 PM
Most times you see the U.S. Historical Society's Man on the Moon statue advertised as the "Alan Shepard" statue (and is sometimes paired with the Shepard/JFK signed photo). However the certificate of authenticity clearly says "the statue features an Apollo 11 astronaut proudly holding up the American flag..."
Further down the COA, it says "Rear Admiral Alan Shepard, First American in Space" xxx /5000. Anyone have any insight on this?
Mike_The_First Member
Posts: 436 From: USA Registered: Jun 2014
posted 03-09-2017 01:26 AM
If I were to speculate, I'd guess that, being the 90's, they couldn't get the rights to Neil's image (as he was notoriously publicity/market conscious by that point), so they opted instead for the first American in space and didn't change the copy, due either to forgetfulness, laziness, or a tight deadline.
Why they didn't go with Buzz is something that would be less obvious, but, given how his name is a brand and product in itself, I wouldn't be surprised if they couldn't afford it or figured it'd be too much trouble to pursue.
Of course, this is all a guess on my part, but, given that it was right around the time that Neil stopped signing because he didn't want to take part in the commercial commodity that is his autograph, it strikes me as plausible.
And given that it's meant to honor Apollo 11 and man's first steps on the moon, America's first man in space (who essentially got that ball rolling, in a manner of speaking), who walked on the moon himself, is a decent substitute if you can't get the rights to either Apollo 11 moonwalker.
But, again, just wild speculation.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 03-09-2017 03:58 AM
As can be seen in the photo below, the spacesuit depicted has commander stripes, which did not reach the surface of the moon until Apollo 14. So from its appearance alone, the statue cannot be Armstrong, Conrad or Lovell (Lovell's LEVA had a Navy anchor decal).
That said, the statue was issued in 1994 for the 25th anniversary of Apollo 11.
So why Shepard? That goes back to how and why the statue was first offered. From the Los Angeles Times at the time:
Admiral Alan Shepard will appear on the retail network promoting his book "Moon Shot" and other collectibles commemorating the 25th anniversary of the first moon walk. July 20 at 7 p.m. Journalist Howard Benedict, who co-wrote "Moon Shot," will visit the Home Shopping Network, July 19 at 5 p.m.
In addition to 5,000 copies of their book signed by Shepard on a bookplate, the two helped market the statues (together with the signed print of Shepard receiving the NASA Distinguished Service Medal from JFK); Shepard-signed copies of the book "Man's Greatest Adventure"; Space Camp t-shirts and hats; a framed faux photo/art piece of Shepard hitting a golf ball off the moon; a replica of the Apollo 11 plaque; and the Apollo 11 Remnants Portfolio, an album of replica items left on the surface of the moon by the first moon landing.
Below is a clip from that broadcast offering the U.S. Historical Society statue and signed photo.
So why Shepard? And why does the COA say Apollo 11? Because the statue was offered by Shepard as part of an HSN spot supporting the release of "Moon Shot," but was sold for the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission.
randy Member
Posts: 2176 From: West Jordan, Utah USA Registered: Dec 1999
posted 03-09-2017 09:59 AM
Thanks for the info Robert. I had wondered about that as well.
JLR1 Member
Posts: 63 From: Cincinnati, OH Registered: Oct 2008
posted 03-09-2017 06:36 PM
Yes, thank you Robert and Mike for your responses. Great info... and bottom line, I think it looks great on my shelf!
randyc Member
Posts: 779 From: Chandler, AZ USA Registered: May 2003
posted 03-09-2017 07:26 PM
I had Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Edgar Mitchell, Dave Scott, Charlie Duke and Gene Cernan sign these statues on the PLSS. On one side of the PLSS they wrote, using Alan Bean as an example, '4th Man on the Moon' and on the other side 'Apollo 12 November 19, 1969'.
I wanted Buzz to sign '2nd Man on the Moon' but was advised that he might not sign it that way so it was signed '1st Men on the Moon'.
posted 03-08-2017 08:26 PM
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