![LUNAR PLAQUE – NASA test model for the Apollo 11 commemorative lunar plaque. [Manned Spacecraft Center, Technical Services Center, 1969.]](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2019/NYR/2019_NYR_17119_0008_000(lunar_plaque_nasa_test_model_for_the_apollo_11_commemorative_lunar_pla015720).jpg?w=1)
Details
LUNAR PLAQUE – NASA test model for the Apollo 11 commemorative lunar plaque. [Manned Spacecraft Center, Technical Services Center, 1969.]
“We Came In Peace For All Mankind.” A production test model bearing Earth’s message left on the Moon.
The plaque reads: “Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon The Moon, July 1969, A.D. We Came In Peace For All Mankind.” Below this writing are the facsimile signatures and printed names of astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. At the bottom center the facsimile signature of Richard Nixon with his printed name and “President, United States of America.”
The plaque eventually carried on the first lunar landing flight was made of stainless steel and placed between the third and fourth rungs on the ladder of Eagle’s forward landing leg. The curved shaped ensured it would fit tightly against the tubular shaped landing leg and would not encumber Neil Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s movement up and down the ladder. Being part of the Descent Stage, it remained and is still on the Moon after the Apollo 11 crew left the lunar surface using the upper Ascent Stage. The other five lunar landing missions had similar plaques placed on their forward lander legs.
Curved aluminum plaque, measuring 7.6 by 9 inches, mounted on a custom wood display. Featuring the Western and Eastern Hemispheres of Earth and bearing engraved signatures of the Apollo 11 crew and of President Nixon.
“We Came In Peace For All Mankind.” A production test model bearing Earth’s message left on the Moon.
The plaque reads: “Here Men From The Planet Earth First Set Foot Upon The Moon, July 1969, A.D. We Came In Peace For All Mankind.” Below this writing are the facsimile signatures and printed names of astronauts Neil A. Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr. At the bottom center the facsimile signature of Richard Nixon with his printed name and “President, United States of America.”
The plaque eventually carried on the first lunar landing flight was made of stainless steel and placed between the third and fourth rungs on the ladder of Eagle’s forward landing leg. The curved shaped ensured it would fit tightly against the tubular shaped landing leg and would not encumber Neil Armstrong’s and Buzz Aldrin’s movement up and down the ladder. Being part of the Descent Stage, it remained and is still on the Moon after the Apollo 11 crew left the lunar surface using the upper Ascent Stage. The other five lunar landing missions had similar plaques placed on their forward lander legs.
Curved aluminum plaque, measuring 7.6 by 9 inches, mounted on a custom wood display. Featuring the Western and Eastern Hemispheres of Earth and bearing engraved signatures of the Apollo 11 crew and of President Nixon.
Special notice
This lot is offered without reserve.
Further details
Since this was the first design and shape to be flown, the Manned Spacecraft Center’s Technical Services Center used aluminum curved metal as test models. These models verified the application of the black hemispheres, wording, and outer rectangular border would correctly adhere to this shape. This was one of the production test models.
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