posted 11-29-2022 10:40 AM               

Personal Preference Kit from Michael Collins Prepares for Launch at Heritage Space Auction

PPK among more than items from Apollo 11 astronaut in Dec. 15-16 event

Sometimes lost in the mystery and wonder around the research and technology that went into the advent of space travel was the fact that those who bravely soared into the heavens were, of course, people. For those on board, missions to space were simultaneously scary and exhilarating, the excitement matched only by the separation from friends and family still on solid ground below.

The extensive amount of equipment and supplies needed to get into space – and to return safely – dictated that storage on the assorted spacecrafts was at a premium, making the amount of personal items each was allowed to bring along finite and compact. Each was allowed a Personal Preference Kit, a heavy-duty Beta cloth bag measuring 6 by 9 inches, in which astronauts stuffed everything from good-luck charms to family photos. Anything that didn't fit in a PPK stayed behind.

For collectors, astronaut PPKs are coveted treasures, extraordinary because of where they have traveled, and prized because of their rarity; keep in mind, NASA has flown just six missions to the moon – none since 1972.

Therefore, it is no surprise that a PPK that flew on the first mission that landed on the moon is among the top attractions in Heritage Auctions' Space Exploration Signature Auction Dec. 15-16. His Apollo 11-Flown Personal Preference Kit, Signed and Certified by Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection (opening bid: $15,000), is one of the most interesting and rare of all space-flown relics. Collins flew the Apollo 11 command module Columbia on the mission that allowed his crewmates, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, to become the first people ever to land on the moon.

"Michael Collins stands alongside Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin as some of the most important astronauts in the history of space exploration," says Brad Palmer, Director of Space Exploration at Heritage Auctions. "They might enjoy a little more celebrity recognition, but Collins is every bit as important. Before Neil Armstrong could take his 'one giant leap for mankind,' he had to get to the moon, and did so because Michael Collins got him there.

"PPKs typically are among the most sought-after items from any space program, and considering the significance of this flight – the first mission ever to reach the moon – this PPK is as important as any in the history of space exploration."

The auction contains not only this PPK, but a couple of exceptionally important relics that likely were inside it when Apollo 11 headed toward space:

• An incredibly rare and desirable Apollo 11- and Gemini 10-Flown Largest Size American Flag, Signed and Certified by Michael Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection, CAG Certified and Encapsulated (opening bid: $25,000), is the largest size typically flown by Apollo missions and actually flew with Collins on both Apollo 11 and on Gemini 10. Measuring 17-1/2 by 11-1/2 inches, it was kept as a treasured souvenir by Collins, who signed directly on the flag in black ink: "Carried aboard Gemini X. a world altitude record in 1966, and to the moon on the first lunar landing, Apollo XI, July 1969. Michael Collins Gemini X PILOT, APOLLO XI CMP."

• An Apollo 11-Flown MS66 NGC Silver Robbins Medallion, Serial Number 32, Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, with Handwritten and Signed Letter of Certification, CAG Certified (opening bid: $25,000) is one of 440 that flew with Collins, Armstrong and Aldrin aboard Apollo 11, the first manned moon landing. The obverse of this 28mm sterling silver medal depicts Collins' early and original concept for the mission insignia with the eagle carrying an olive branch in its mouth. NASA officials thought the sharp, open talons of the eagle looked too "warlike," and had the olive branch, representing peace, moved to the claws. This is one of, if not the only, major official item that renders the insignia as it was meant to be by the astronaut designer. The reverse has the dates of the mission, surnames of the crew, and the serial number.

• An Apollo 11-Flown Crew-Signed "Type One" Quarantine Cover, Hand-numbered C-41 and Certified by Michael Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection, CAG Certified and Encapsulated (opening bid: $20,000), one of 214 that existed, is signed in blue ink by the three crewmembers: Armstrong, Collins and Aldrin to the right of the cachet that is stamped "NASA Manned Spacecraft Center Stamp Club Official Commemorative Cover of the First Manned Lunar Exploration." Affixed to the cover is a 6-cent "Flag" stamp with an August 11, 1969, cancellation at Webster, Texas. Stamped beneath the cancellation is the text: "Delayed In Quarantine At/ Lunar Receiving Laboratory/ M.S.C. - Houston, Texas." When Apollo 11 splashed down on Earth July 24, the equipment and astronauts from the spacecraft were quarantined. Upon its release, this cover was taken to the nearest post office for cancellation.

• An Apollo 11-Flown and Crew-Signed Beta Cloth Mission Insignia Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, Signed and Certified, CAG Certified and Encapsulated (opening bid: $20,000) features an eagle carrying an olive branch to the moon with the Earth in the distance, designed by Collins. The cloth measures 6 by 6 inches, and the mission insignia has a diameter of 3-3/8 inches. This was flown aboard the Apollo 11 mission to the moon and later signed: "Neil Armstrong," "Carried to the Moon aboard Apollo XI/ July 1969/ Michael Collins" and "Buzz Aldrin."

Other highlights in the auction include, but are not limited to:

• An Apollo 14 Lunar Module-Flown Exceedingly Rare Microform King James Bible (opening bid: $20,000+)

• An Apollo 15 Lunar Module-Flown Spacecraft Identification Plate Display Originally from the Personal Collection of Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin (opening bid: $20,000+)

• An Apollo 11-Flown Command Module Pilot Solo Book Page, Signed and Certified by Michael Collins (opening bid: $15,000+)

• A Gemini 3 - Gemini 12 Presentation Set of Flown Fliteline Medals (10) in Lucite, One of only 24 Produced, Directly from the Collection of Michael Collins (opening bid: $10,000+)

posted 12-19-2022 01:57 PM               

Flag Flown On Gemini 10 and Apollo 11 Touches Down at $300,000 to Boost Heritage Space Exploration Auction Beyond $2.25 Million

Signed by Astronaut Michael Collins, event's top lot soars above $275,000 flag sold in 2018

An American flag that flew on two of the most significant space missions of all time soared to $300,000 to lead Heritage Auctions' Space Exploration Signature® Auction to $2,254,958 Dec. 15-16.

The out-of-this-world result for the Apollo 11- and Gemini 10-Flown Largest Size American Flag, Signed and Certified by Michael Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection, CAG Certified and Encapsulated was six times its pre-auction estimate.

"This is an incredibly important flag because it flew with Collins on both Apollo 11 and on Gemini 10," says Brad Palmer, Space Exploration Director at Heritage Auctions. "Gemini X was a historic mission that set a world altitude record in 1966, and of course Apollo 11, in 1969, was the mission that resulted in the first lunar landing. The fact that this flag was on both missions makes it a coveted keepsake, and to have it signed by one of the astronauts aboard both missions makes it an absolute must-have prize for the most serious of space exploration collectors."

The result is believed to be a record for any Apollo 11 flag, surpassing the $275,000 paid at Heritage Auctions for the Apollo 11-Flown Largest Size American Flag Directly From The Armstrong Family Collection in 2018.

An Apollo 11-Flown and Crew-Signed Beta Cloth Mission Insignia Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, Signed and Certified, CAG Certified and Encapsulated also reached rarified air when it touched down at $106,250, more than double its pre-auction estimate. It features an eagle carrying an olive branch to the moon with the Earth in the distance, designed by Collins.

Flown items that have been signed by the astronauts who flew with them remain exceptionally popular, including an Apollo 11-Flown American Flag, Signed and Certified by Michael Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection, CAG Certified and Encapsulated that more than doubled its pre-auction estimate when it landed at $68,750.

More than a dozen bids poured in for a Gemini 4-Flown "Flight Plan, Spacecraft Procedures, and Experiments" Book from the Collection of Mission Command Pilot Jim McDivitt, Signed and Certified, with His Signed Letter of Authenticity until it ended at $50,000 – more than five times its estimate. The book is a 27-page blueprint for the mission, including navigational maps and notes made by the crew. Gemini 4 was NASA's second two-man mission and the first multi-day flight, at four days and 66 orbits, and was the first U.S. flight to feature a spacewalk, a 23-minute excursion by Ed White II.

An Apollo 12-Flown Largest Size Texas Flag, Signed and Certified by Alan Bean, on Crew-Signed Mat, in Framed Display, Directly from His Family Collection, reached $45,000. Measuring 17-3/4 by 11-3/4 inches, it flew to the moon in a command module dubbed the Yankee Clipper on the flight of Apollo 12.

Also bringing a winning bid of $45,000 was an Apollo 11-Flown MS66 NGC Silver Robbins Medallion, Serial Number 32, Directly from the Personal Collection of Michael Collins, with Handwritten and Signed Letter of Certification, CAG Certified. The 28mm sterling silver medal was one of 450 flown aboard Apollo 11 with Collins, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

Other highlights included, but were not limited to:

A Skylab II (SL-3)-Flown Cuff Checklist and Tether Segment on Presentation Plaque from the Crew, Directly from the Personal Collection of Bruce McCandless II: $40,000

Michael Collins' Apollo 11-Flown Personal Preference Kit, Signed and Certified by Michael Collins, Directly from His Personal Collection: $37,500

An Apollo 15-Flown Largest Size American Flag from the Personal Collection of Lunar Module Pilot Jim Irwin, Directly from the High Flight Foundation: $32,500

A Soviet/ Russian Sokol Type KV-2 Pressurized IVA Spacesuit, Manufactured by NPP Zvezda: $30,000

A Gemini 4-Flown "Data and Notes" Book from the Collection of Mission Command Pilot Jim McDivitt: $30,000

Complete results can be found here.