NOT SOLD. [Apollo 11] The first humans on the surface of another world; official portraits of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in lunar spacesuits.

2312/8093

[Apollo 11] The first humans on the surface of another world; official portraits of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin in lunar spacesuits. NASA, July 1969. Printed 1969. Two vintage chromogenic prints on fiber-based Kodak paper [NASA images S-69–31741 and S-69–31743]. Each 20.3×25.4 cm (8×10 in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA S-69–31741” and “NASA S-69–31743” in red in top margin (NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston, Texas). (2).

Literature: Newsweek, cover (first photograph); Voices from the Moon, Chaikin, p. XVI.

Neil Armstrong, Commander, and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Lunar Module Pilot, became the first humans to walk on the surface of the Moon on July 20, 1969, a turning point in the history of our species.

Norman Mailer who covered the Apollo 11 flight for Life Magazine described the astronauts: “Aldrin was a life given over to good physical condition, a form of grace... Armstrong was a high priest of the forces of society and scientific history...” (Mailer, p. 82).

“I wasn’t chosen to be first. I was just chosen to command that flight. Circumstance put me in that particular role. That wasn’t planned by anyone.” Neil Armstrong (2005 interview with CBS).

Condition

Very minor crease at top right of prints, otherwise excellent condition.

Please notice: Supplementary material not included.

Auction

Man & Space, 23 March 2023