The Lunar Archive's Autographs

Unmanned Mercury launches

Freedom 7 is hosted to the top

Inscribed and signed by Guenter Wendt.

A tight fit

I couldn't fit in there... 6 foot 2 and I'd have to launch with my head sticking out! Notice Glenn's sock feet... The White Room... was the Clean Room with Guenter Wendt in charge.

The launch of Freedom 7

This photo has been signed by CBS news anchor Walter Cronkite, who covered the first American space launch from the back of a station wagon.

Grissom's booster

Liberty Bell going up!

Guenter Wendt was there to make sure that Gus Grissom's capsule was ready to launch in 1961 and he was there the day "Liberty Bell 7" was raised from the bottom of the Atlantic, 37 years later.

The Atlas Four

The first two Mercury missions were flown using a Redstone rocket which carried Alan Shepard and Guss Grissom "somewhere out in the Atlantic". Atlas rockets were needed to launch the Mercury capsules all the way into orbit. John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, Wally Schirra, and Gordo Cooper were the only four men to ride an Atlas.

Capsule mating

Guenter Wendt told me that the Atlas rocket had to be pressurized with compressed air, much like a car tire, in order not to be crushed by the weight of the Mercury capsule being set in place on top of it.

Emergency egress cage

Guenter Wendt told me that he never rode this... and that no one in their right mind would. He said that one technician almost lost his life when the elevator one day dropped to the ground and came close to nearly crushing him.

Mirror check

We all know how important it is to check our mirrors before taking a trip.

Godspeed John Glenn

These were Scott Carpenter's famous words as John Glenn started his journey to become the first American to orbit the Earth.

Where's the monkey?

John Glenn gave a speech after his famous Mercury mission to a Joint Session of Congress. In that speech Glenn told the humorous story of his going to the White House after his flight and the young Caroline Kennedy disappointingly asking where the monkey was.

Scott Carpenter

The second American to orbit the Earth... and a tremendous individual.

Aurora 7 launch

Scott Carpenter, the only astronaut to fly a Mercury flight... and no other. A truly great man who flew a most challenging mission.

Carpenter and Schirra

The Mercury capsule, so small that a man couldn't stretch out straight in it. I believe it was Wally Schirra that said "You don't get in it, you put it on."

Three different spacecraft

A NASA artist drawing of the first three types of manned spacecraft... Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Who better to sign this item than Wally Schirra? The only man to ride, not to mention command, all three.
Wally added his opinion of each. ;)
What a great guy, a legend... if you only meet one astronaut in your lifetime, make it Wally Schirra.

Wally and JFK

Wally's spacecraft

Sigma 7 is mounted to the rocket that will take it into orbit.

Wally's first ride

Wally Schirra rode a ball of flame into space becoming the fifth American to enter space.

Wally's recovery

The Mercury spacecraft was a marvel of spaceflight, all six manned flights were a success... but it made for a lousy boat.

A crowded White Room

The lighting in this photo brings out the beauty of the Mercury spacecraft and the wonder of this phase of our space program.

How many men does it take to .... ?

Gordon Cooper boards Faith 7 to make the sixth and last flight of Project Mercury. Grumman technicians, including Guenter Wendt, assist and stand ready to close the hatch.

The first prayer heard from space

signed by Gordon Cooper.

The Seven with JFK... and Johnson

Eisenhower created NASA, Kennedy announced we were going to the Moon, but it was Johnson's determination that got us to the Moon.

Desert survival training

Well, they had to be prepared in case they landed in the desert!

OK everybody out!

A great photo, Guenter Wendt described this scene in the White Room where the team has gotten the crew of GT-4 packed into their spacecraft, the doors are sealed, and White and McDivitt are about ready to be launched into space to make America's first spacewalk.

The first rendezvous

I think it's great that the first rendezvous in space was also one of the missions with the greatest photography.

Almost the first docking!

If these two spacecrafts had gotten any closer they would have touched.

Always a gag...

There was always some kind of joke at launch time to relieve the immense stress of the moment.

One hilarious photo

Here we have four key figures of the American space program... three of whom would go on to command Moon landing missions. It appears the two in the back, Dick Gordon and Charles Conrad, well known for their antics, have corrupted the serious natured Dave Scott and Neil Armstrong.

Neil, Pete, Dick, and Bill

What I would give... to have been sitting in that empty chair.

A huge pair of pliers

Buzz's first space walk

Buzz Aldrin is well known for his walk on the Moon. Few people are aware that his first space walk was during the Gemini missions.

The Phoenix

After the tragic incident that resulted in the loss of lives of the Apollo 1 crew, Apollo 7 would once again put America on the path to the Moon. From ashes rose this mighty bird.

The Front Line of Apollo

This photo is of the Apollo 7 crew during one of their lighter moments. (With Wally Schirra as commander I imagine there were many light moments.) Walt Cunningham told me, as he was signing this photo, that he was the only one with the proper stance... that "the other two would get knocked over on their backsides in a second."

The Apollo 7 command module

This command module (and Apollo 8's) were not named. It is easy to see in this picture how the name "Gumdrop" was picked for Apollo 9's CM.

Wally's flight

I believe more than anyone it was Wally Schirra who's insistence led to Guenter Wendt being hired to do for Apollo what he had done in the past for Mercury and Gemini. Guenter paid tribute back to Wally when he signed this photo calling Apollo 7... "Wally's flight".

Earthrise

The first "Earthrise" that was ever seen by a man. Signed by Frank Borman, commander of the Apollo 8 mission.

Jim Lovell

Jim Lovell is the only man to have gone out to the Moon twice... and to not have gone down to it's surface. He was a member of the Apollo 8 team that first made the journey and later he commanded the ill fated mission of Apollo 13.

The first Moonship

Beautiful isn't she?

Apollo 8 breakfast

It is a tradition among astronauts to have a steak and egg breakfast before launch. Here we see Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders before the launch of Apollo 8. I imagine that Frank Borman later regretted eating, as he came down with a severe case of space sickness shortly into the mission. Note: at the other end of the table is Hal Collins, of which some of his personal mementos appear on this site.

Giving the Commander a helping hand

Rusty

I asked Rusty to add an inscription when signing this photo, to describe what the moment was like. In his own words he wrote "Really Seeing the home planet."

I imagine the view from outside was quite a bit better than inside through a small window.

Altitude Chamber Test

Everything with regard to Apollo was rehearsed over and over again.

Apollo 9 crew during a lighter moment

Here Dave Scott demonstrates the improper method of putting a space helmet on.

The Moon as seen by Apollo 10

Signed by Tom Stafford... commander of the Apollo 10 mission.

buzz

Big Buzz

This large poster, signed by Buzz Aldrin, was one of 1,969 prints in this series... an interesting number of prints don't you think? :)

Norman Rockwell

Norman Rockwell painted three space paintings during his career: this one, one of Neil Armstrong's first step on the Moon, and one of the Gemini 3 crew putting on their spacesuits. This painting is titled "Behind Apollo 11" and illustrates some of the many individuals who contributed to the flight of Apollo 11. Norman Rockwell painted this masterpiece for "Look" magazine where it appeared as a tri-fold print in their special issue commemorating the first lunar landing. No unfolded prints were ever made... and this is the only known signed print that we are aware of. The original is at the National Air and Space Museum but is not currently on display.

Buzz on the Moon

No collection would be complete without these most classic photographs of Buzz Aldrin on the Moon.

Buzz's boot

Perhaps one of the most dramatic images of the 20th century, signed by the Man who took it.

Book inscription

Apollo 12

"The crew"

Leaving Earth

This is a gorgeous view of Earth. Even Alan Bean exclaimed "Wow!" when this 16by20 was unrolled in front of him. In his own words Al wrote "Our first view of Earth... What a beautiful planet to live our lives... There goes our SLA panel! Alan Bean, Apollo 12
Alan Bean chose to write all of this in a matching curve following the horizon of the Earth.

Charles Conrad

Charles Conrad checks out the Surveyor craft which had journeyed to the Moon months before Conrad landed the "Intrepid" on opposite side of this crater (notice it in the background).

Surveyor

The Surveyor craft is an incredible machine.
Equally amazing was how Apollo 12's "Intrepid" landed so close to it.

An Island of Refuge

Apollo 12 landed in the "Ocean of Storms" area of the Moon.

Inch by inch

Here we see the Saturn V on the "crawler" moving towards the launch pad at the amazing speed of one mile per hour. It is a striking photo that to me illustrates the immensity of the Apollo project.

The Saturn V was the assemblage of millions of individual parts of which it only took one part failing to bring the Apollo 13 mission to the edge of near tragedy. The Apollo 13 mission should not only be remembered for the fact that this crew was returned safely from the Moon, but also that it revealed how amazing it was that the other missions succeeded. The photo is signed by Fred Haise, LMP of Apollo 13.

Our finest hour

Gene Kranz enjoys a cigar after the safe return of the Apollo 13 crew.

Alan Shepard and his crewmates

The crew of Apollo 14... Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell. The photo is inscribed to "Hal Collins - many thanks for your quiet constant support."

Without space suits

The Apollo 14 crew stand in front of their ride.

Apollo 14 moonwalkers and their backup crew

Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell, along with Gene Cernan and Joe Engle, pause for a moment after performing a "simulated lunar excursion" in the desert. A bunch of cool guys having a cold one after a hard day at work. And, what a job they had!

Antares in the bright lunar sunlight

A guided tour of Fra Mauro Base, by Edgar Mitchell.

The lunar module "Antares"

Apollo 14, much like Apollo 12, will not be remembered for it's photography. Unlike Apollo 11's incredible pictures and the panoramic landscapes that the following missions had, there are but a few memorable shots that stand out. This photo, with the sun reflecting off of "Anatares," signed here by it's commander, was the greatest.

MET

Apollo 14 was the only mission to have a MET... mobile equipment transport. Notice the shielding positions on Alan Shepard's visors. Frau Mauro was one bright place.

Moon tracks

The trail that leads back to the lunar module "Antares" was created by the MET (a lunar garden cart) that was used on Apollo 14.

Alan and Edgar

Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell on the Moon. (Alan is the shadow)

Lost in Space

This classic shot is of Edgar Mitchell looking at his map.

All that's left

This is all that remains of a mighty Saturn V after journeying from the Earth to the Moon... and back.

Dave Scott

Mount Hadley

This is my favorite photograph of the entire space program. Exploration at it's greatest. The shadow on Mount Hadley in the background is awesome. The first car on the Moon is ready to go for an adventure. Just incredible. Dave Scott has inscribed it with one of the concluding sentences of his book The Two Sides of the Moon... "The three most memorable days of my life were spent on the Moon, I often feel a pang of nostalgia, Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR"

Apollo 15 panoramic print

This is a terrific panoramic photo of the Apollo 15 landing site. The mountains in the background are majestic. The Lunar Module, seen so far away in the distance, illustrates the great mobility that the lunar rover (pictured on the right) gave to Scott and Irwin. Dave Scott has signed this print and he has provided descriptions of some of the prominent features.

Dave Scott at work

Gathering lunar samples at Hadley.

Jim Irwin Bible

Jim Irwin was well prepared for both of his major flights... into the heavens.

Jim Irwin, moonwalker and evangelist

Jesus walking on the Earth...

"Jesus walking on the Earth is more important than man walking on the Moon", Jim Irwin.

Apollo 16 Launch

The last "day launch" of a Moon rocket. The next mission, Apollo 17, would the last lunar voyage and the only one to launch at night.

Landing site panorama

Charlie Duke has signed this panoramic color photo with the inscription "A day I will never forget!"

The voyage of a lifetime

I imagine that it would be hard to top a trip to the Moon...

Amazing Grace

I once was lost but now am found.

Four wheel drive

Notice the tire tracks in the lunar soil. There were no paved roads on the Moon and the terrain was rugged. I can only imagine what the ride must have been like.

I can only imagine

That's "Plum Crater" next to Charlie Duke. He told me that he never did see the bottom of that crater... he wasn't going to get that close to the edge of it! Yikes!

Jumping John

Charlie Duke signed this classic shot of John Young, saluting a few feet off the ground, with the inscription "Apollo lifted America's spirit, and John Young"

Dinner with Charlie Duke

I can't imagine anyone being more pleasant and personable than Charlie Duke was that night. I heard many stories of his moon voyage, of his memories of being capcom during the landing of Apollo 11, and so much more! I hope it will be a moment that my son Noah will always remember as well.

The last man to walk on the Moon

Gene Cernan was the last man to walk on the Moon. He is also one of the few men who ventured out to the Moon twice. Gene is also noted for one other thing... he perhaps better than any other moonwalker has a great talent in describing what it was like. If you get the chance, buy Gene's book on audio tape, you will enjoy every minute of it.

Jack Lousma

This is quote that Jack Lousma is known for making. Food for thought.

Soyuz

The first international docking.

The 'Original' Women in Space!

'To Deke, Best Wishes from the 'Original' Women in Space!. It is signed on the mat by 'Rhea', 'Shannon', 'Sally', 'Kathy', 'Judy' and 'Anna Lee'. Originally presented to Deke Slayton... one of the 'Original' Men in Space.

Charlie Walker

I had lunch with Charlie Walker at the "lunch with an astronaut" offer that is available at the Kennedy Space Center.

john

Yuri Gagarin

The story of this Gagarin autograph...
"In September 1962 the Teachers’ Training College of Kristianstad, Sweden went for a trip to Denmark.On the ferry between the islands of Sealand and Fyn they met with the Kosmonaut Yuri Gagarin. The 20-year old Ewa Månsson, forward as ever, decided to reach him to get an autograph. She took a friend and went to the captain’s bridge where Yuri Gagarin was being filmed by the Danish Television.He was wearing make-up and the most noticeable feature about him was that the uniform jacket and trousers had different colors. Ewa did not find any other scrap of paper than a freight note for a bicycle and on the back of that Yuri Gagarin wrote his signature with her Ballograf ballpoint pen after first having tested the tip for ink fluency! He then gave her a hug and kissed her on both cheeks. This autograph has been in her possession ever since. Carefully kept she has shown it to all her students. On Sept 7, 1962 Gagarin was received by the Danish King and afterwards he was given dinner by the Danish Government."

Valentina

The first woman to make a space flight. Valentina Tereshkova.

Valentina and Sally

Valentina Tereshkova's face lit up when she saw this photograph.
She exclaimed "Sally Ride!... I LOVE Sally Ride!" She then gave me a big, lovely smile.
Valentina is a very warm, beautiful woman who's signature on this photograph has now made it signed by both the first Russian and first American women to enter space. I look forward to the day when I can add to it the signature of the first woman to walk on the Moon.

She didn't go to the Moon.

When Valentina saw this photo she gave me a big smile and commented in her charming Russian accent "I did not go to the Moon!" I replied that she did take a major first step towards it. She then showed the photo to Alexei Leonov's wife who was sitting next to her and they both warmly smiled.
Later that evening I found myself alone on the elevator with these two women. I commented on how wonderful it was to have them at this gathering. I could tell by their looks that they had no idea what I was saying. So, I told them that their English was much better than my Russian, which they both laughed over. Then the elevator door opened up and Valentina got off and the door quickly shut behind her, with her getting off on the wrong floor.
The door opened on the next floor and someone got on. Leonov's wife told this new passenger that "This young, charming American distracted Valentina and I so much that Valentina is now lost in the hotel!" She gave me a loving, scowling stare. I will always treasure that moment.

The first woman to leave home

Valentina Tereshkova signed and inscribed this beautiful photo of our home planet, originally taken by the crew of Apollo 8. She copied an inscription from a small piece of paper that I had given her. Where the extra "V" came from I don't know... but I've grown to like it.

Leonov's Lander

If the Soviet Union had succeeded in landing a man on the Moon, this is the lander that would have taken him there. There was barely enough room in this small spacecraft for one man to journey down to the lunar surface, and that one man would have been Alexei Leonov, who has signed the photo.

Leonov's Lander (in black)

This photo will always remind me of my encounter with a stubborn Russian cosmonaut.
I approached Alexei Leonov with three copies of this photo. I was hoping to get one nicely signed photo, and then trade the other two. It is a tough photo to sign, no solid dark area that can be clearly signed with a light colored pen, and no light area that can be signed with a dark colored pen. I decided before approaching Leonov that I'd prefer a silver pen and told him that as I handed him the photos and the pen. He took one look at the photos and announced in his deep, decisive, Russian accent... "NO SILVER!, BLACK! BLACK!" and proceeded to sign the first two before I had a chance to respond.
I did manage to get him to sign one of the photos in silver (as seen in my other posting.) Which one is better? I'll let you decide. But, together they create a memory of an encounter with one strong-willed Russian, a Russian who just might have been the first man to walk on the Moon.

Walter Cronkite

Walter Cronkite was at my house every weeknight of my childhood, promptly at 6:30, until the day Dan Rather took over the CBS evening news. Walter Cronkite was a big fan of the space program and I listened to every word he ever said about it. His enthusiasm was contagious.
He signed this photo for me, of him and Wally Schirra during the broadcast of the Apollo 11 mission, and inscribed it with a twist on his famous closing words "And that's the way it was, July 20, 1969.

Lloyd Rackley

Lloyd Rackley, on the right, was one of the 400,000 people it took to get a man on the Moon.
One of the many great things about the hobby of space collecting is the people you meet and the stories that you hear. It has been a pleasure to get to know the Rackley's and hear of what it was like "behind the scenes." Mr. Rackley's position was just one step away from him being in the headlines, he was just out of the camera's view, not quite important enough to have been the subject of a book, but yet one of so many who's service made the space program a success.
Thank you Lloyd Rackley.

Joe W. Schmitt

Accompanying this photo is a letter which in part reads... "You asked me of my feelings on launch morning as we sealed in the crew for lift off. I have been doing this for quite some time. in fact, I was the suit technician that inserted Al Shepard into his Mercury space-craft in May, 1961. The feeling is one of anxiety..... you wonder if you could have forgotten anything..."