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posted 07-02-2019 11:51 PM               

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I recently found someone selling a letter from Robert Gilruth to the wife of a NASA employee, thanking her for her husband's work on the program. As a symbol of his gratitude, he included a flown film certificate signed by Richard Underwood.

I've seen a few of these film presentations, and this looks consistent. Does anyone have an opinion on the authenticity, favorable or otherwise? Thank you for your time!

Posts: 49066
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 07-03-2019 10:00 AM               

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The Gilruth letter accompanied the small metal replica of the Apollo 11 plaque, not the film fragment. The form letter and plaque were sent to the wives of Apollo 11 team members to thank them for their understanding and support of their husbands during the moon landing mission.

I have seen similar plaque and letter pairs sell from $25 to $150.

The flown film presentation appears to be typical of the style of card that Richard Underwood prepared. A similar example from the Armstrong Family Collection is up for sale by Heritage Auctions with a current bid of $1500 ($1875 with buyer's premium), but of course, that has the added provenance of coming from the Neil Armstrong estate.

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Posts: 3517
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

Posts: 287
From:
Registered: Aug 2018

posted 07-08-2019 06:09 PM               

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Thank you, Ken!

I've been keeping an eye out for these film presentations for some time. I think they're the only Eagle-flown items that are ever going to be available within my budget.

I was so happy to find this early version, because it contains a full strip of the film, including the sprocket holes. Most of the Underwood presentations feature a fancier certificate, but only a tiny square of film.

But which is considered more desirable to collectors? Personally, I prefer the full-strip editions. But are they less valuable?

Either way, I'm happy with this, because I'm never planning to sell it anyway. I'm just curious as to which version is considered better by the overall community.

Posts: 3517
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001

posted 07-10-2019 10:14 PM               

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I guess it all depends on how you view the different flown Apollo 11 film clip presentations.

My personal observation would favor the original or vintage (first) format presentation. Those early 1969 versions, as you pointed out, did contain in most cases a larger affixed film segment with sprocket holes.

The later printed versions, of which there were at least three different designs that I know of, were nicely produced. But they also included a lot more background and history information than beforehand, however, most of the later attached film pieces were smaller cut-pieces than the original issues had.

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