2312/​8134

[Apollo 12] 4-part panorama of Alan Bean photographing the LM Intrepid on the Ocean of Storms. Pete Conrad, 14–24 November 1969, EVA 1. Printed 1969. Four vintage chromogenic prints on heavy fiber-based GAF paper [NASA images AS12–46-6776, AS12–46-6777, AS12–46-6778, AS12–46-6779]. Each 25.4×20.3 cm (10×8 in), blank on the versos, numbered “AS12–46-6776”, “AS12–46-6777”, “AS12–46-6778”, “AS12–46-6779” in bottom margin (NASA / United States Geological Survey, Flagstaff, Arizona). (4).

Literature: Apollo 12 Preliminary Science Report (NASA SP-235), p.119.

Pete Conrad took this panorama of Oceans of Storms Base, facing the 8 o’clock side of the LM Intrepid, after he walked a short way 9 m south east of the LM down into Surveyor Crater. Alan Bean is photographing the footpad of Intrepid. The S-band antenna and the American flag are visible behind the LM. Footprints lead to the burn-out TV camera in the right background. Pete Conrad’s shadow is in the left foreground.

“The Lunar Module seemed much larger sitting on the Moon than I had imagined. All alone, it seemed like a house, with Pete and I working and playing all around it. When I think about it now, it was the only ‘house’ for 239,000 miles.” Alan Bean (Constantine, p. 37).

From the mission transcript when the panoramic sequence was taken:

116:26:05 Conrad: (I’m) taking a look at that Surveyor, Al, I suspect we ought to be able to get there quite readily. I’m going to head down into the crater a little bit for this set of pans...Whoops, (garbled) 116:26:14 Bean: Watch yourself; it’s easy to slide.

Condition

All four prints in excellent condition.

Auction

Man & Space, 23 March 2023

Category
Estimate

8,000–12,000 DKK

Price realised

Not sold