Apollo 15 Autographs & Memorabilia: Prices Realized & How to Sell

To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 15 autographs & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).

What Did Apollo 15 Accomplish?

Apollo 15 was the ninth Apollo mission and fourth landing on the Moon with astronauts Astronauts David Scott, James Irwin and Alfred Worden. The Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV) was introduced for the first time and allowed astronauts to explore and study more of the lunar surface as previous missions were limited to what they could access by walking. Dave Scott famously conducted a live demonstration consisting of dropping a hammer and feather simultaneously to prove Galileo’s findings about gravity fields.

Here’s Some Apollo 15 Memorabilia We’ve Sold:

Mission Hand Controller From Al Worden — Sold for $72,556

As Al Worden, the Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot, puts it in the signed COA included with this hand controller, which is mounted on wood: “…this control stick cover, NASA serial number MSC 991-0001.12, was the hand controller I used during the flight of Apollo 15. The function of the hand controller was to adjust the attitude of the spacecraft during flight. For instance it was critical to the maneuver designed to withdraw the Lunar Module from the S-IVB stage of the launch vehicle once leaving earth orbit. This maneuver involved 180 degree rotation of the Command and Service Module to align with the Lunar Module in storage. It was also essential for the alignment of the spacecraft in the proper direction for any thrusting maneuver. This controller was essential to the success of Apollo 15 and has been in my possession since the flight.” In near fine condition.  Sold for $72,556.

Mission Flown Robbins Medal — Sold for $12,600

Apollo 15 Robbins Medal, serial number 118. Extraordinarily rare medal is one of just 127 flown from a batch of 304 minted. Due to a misprint of the word “apennines” on reverse side, most (177) of the medals were sent back to the manufacturer and could not be redone before the spacecraft’s launch, leaving only the 127 with the correctly printed word to make the flight. Medal features mission insignia of a trio of left-facing flight symbols upon a stylized lunar surface ground. The astronauts’ surnames are inscribed to the border underneath and “Apollo 15” is inscribed at top center. Reverse features a motto, “‘Man’s Flight Through Life Is Sustained By The Power Of Knowledge’”, surrounding “Apollo 15 / Falcon / Endeavor” with dates engraved to fields under each. The name of the mission’s landing site on the moon “Hadley / Appennines” appears beside the middle item. At upper left is a winged propellor symbol. The rim is engraved “Sterling” and with the serial number. Measures nearly 1.5″ in diameter and weighs 20 grams or 0.75 ounces. Scratching to center symbol, else fine. With an LOA from the Swigert estate. Sold for $12,600.

Mission Flown Robbins Medallion — Sold for $7,809

Flown Robbins medal from Apollo 15. Sterling silver medallion is serial number 087, one of only 127 flown; Apollo 15 was the first mission where only a percentage of the Robbins medals were flown. Medallion features the raised mission insignia on the obverse, with the surnames of the crew: Dave Scott, Al Worden and James Irwin. Reverse features the U.S. Air Force Academy motto, ”Man’s flight through life is sustained by the power of his knowledge” along with the launch, landing and return dates, as well as Apollo 15, mission spacecraft names and the landing site, misspelled as ”Appennines”. Sterling mark and serial number of ”087” appear on the edge. Medallion measures 1.375” in diameter. Very good to near fine condition. From the personal collection of astronaut Story Musgrave and with his LOA. Sold for $7,809.

Mission-Flown American Flag — Sold for $7,496

Signed and inscribed, “Flown to the Moon on Apollo 15 Al Worden CMP” by NASA astronaut Al Worden. Measures 11.5 by 7.75 inches and is accompanied by a COA signed by Worden.

Mission-Flown Crew-Signed Postal Cover — Sold for $4,800

Postal cover flown aboard Apollo 15 to the moon, signed by all three astronauts who piloted the mission. The Apollo 15 mission ran from 26 July 1971 to 7 August 1971, and was the fourth NASA mission to land on the moon. Envelope was postmarked one day before the launch, stowed aboard the spacecraft in a sealed fireproof packet, and carried onto the surface of the moon in the lunar module Falcon. It returned to earth inside the command module Endeavour, and was postmarked a second time after splashdown on 7 August 1971 at the U.S. Navy Postal Station aboard the recovery ship U.S.S. Okinawa. Envelope features the red, white and blue seal of the Apollo 15 mission, with the signatures of astronauts Dave Scott, Al Worden and Jim Irwin, as well as three separate commemorative stamps. Also included is a notarized letter from 19 July 1983 signed and initialed by Scott, Worden and Irwin, certifying the cover. Limited edition envelope is numbered 137 out of 300 and measures 6.5″ x 3.5″. Letter measures 8.5″ x 11″. Small pin size ink stains to verso of the envelope, otherwise near fine. Sold for $4,800.

Apollo 15 Flown American Flag — Sold for $4,061

Apollo 15 flown American flag. The 6” x 4” flag is affixed to a certificate reading, ”This flag was flown aboard the first extended scientific exploration of the moon / Apollo 15 / July 26 – August 7, 1971”. Apollo 15 astronauts sign the certificate: ”Dave Scott”, ”Al Worden” and ”Jim Irwin”. Tape residue to flag and certificate, else very good. Accompanied by PSA/DNA COA. Sold for $4,061.

Al Worden Apollo 15 Flight Jumpsuit — Sold for $2,500

Al Worden & Dave Scott Signed Photo — Sold for $2,032

Al Worden and Dave Scott signed 20″ x 16″ photo of the moon and, in the distance, the crescent shape of Earth. The Apollo 15 astronauts sign in silver ink “Dave Scott / Apollo 15 CDR” and “Al Worden / Apollo 15 CMP” with Worden additionally writing his eloquent statement about viewing the Earth from the moon: “Earth: A distant memory seen in an instant of repose.” Glossy photo is in near fine condition. Both signatures were obtained at Spacefest 2019. Sold for $2,032.

James Irwin Signed “Black Number” Photo — Sold for $1,200

James Irwin signed NASA “black number” photo, showing Irwin in his Apollo 15 spacesuit. With NASA press release on verso, and black number at upper right, S-71-39485. Irwin signs in black felt-tip without inscription, “My Best Wishes / Jim Irwin”. Glossy photo measures 8″ x 10″. Light creasing, else near fine. With Steve Zarelli Space Authentication COA. Sold for $1,200.

Mission Flown Morocco Flag — Sold for $1,250

Moroccan flag signed and inscribed, ”Flown to the Moon on Apollo 15” by NASA Astronaut Al Worden. Measures 4 by 6 inches in near fine condition.

Mission Flown Honduras Flag — Sold for $1,250

Signed by Al Worden and inscribed, “Flown to the Moon on Apollo 15”. Measures 6 by 4 inches and is in near fine condition.

Mission Flown North Yemen Flag, (Yemen Arab Republic, 1962-1990) — Sold for $1,100

Signed by Astronaut Al Worden and inscribed, “Flown to the Moon on Apollo 15”. Measures 6 by 4 inches in near fine condition. Comes with COA signed by Worden.

Thanks for visiting and learning about some of our Apollo 15 sales. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Learn more about Apollo 10 memorabilia we’ve sold.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Apollo 15 memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What factors determine the value of Apollo 15 memorabilia or autographs?
The value of your memorabilia can vary based on condition, mission it’s associated with, and if there are autographs.