Apollo 1 Memorabilia & Autographs: Value Factors, Realized Prices & How to Sell

To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 1 memorabilia and autographs, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

What Was Apollo 1?

Apollo 1 was intended to be the first crewed mission of the Apollo program, and included astronauts Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger B. Chaffee. The ultimate objective of the entire Apollo program was to land humans on the moon. The Apollo command and service module were scheduled to launch on February 21, 1967, but tragically never flew due to a cabin fire during a launch rehearsal that took the lives of all three crew members.

Here Are Some Apollo 1 Autographs & Memorabilia We’ve Sold:

Gus Grissom’s Uniform Intended for Apollo 1 — Sold for $16,218

Uniform that astronaut Gus Grissom would have worn in space for the Apollo 1 mission. Tragically, Grissom and his crewmates Edward White and Roger Chaffee were killed while preparing for Apollo 1 when the spacecraft caught fire during a launch pad test. This two-piece inflight coverall set was designed for wear onboard the spacecraft as part of the A1C style spacesuit, a modified version of the Gemini G3C, manufactured by David Clark. After the disaster NASA designed the fireproof A7L spacesuit. Label sewn within the jacket reads: ”JACKET, INFLIGHT COVERALL / NASA Designation AC-1C-1 T / Mfg. David Clark Co., Inc. / P/N A-2006-000 Ser. No. 101 / Grissom June 66”. Zip-front jacket features numerous pockets designed to hold writing implements and a slide rule. Apollo 1 mission insignia patch, V.I. Grissom name tag and American flag adorn the upper. Measures 32” at the waist with a 26” inseam. Near fine. Sold for $16,218.

Crew-Signed NASA Photo Without Inscription — Sold for $10,000

Near fine photo signed by the crew of Apollo 1, Ed White, Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee. Each astronaut signs the NASA photo in black felt-tip, without inscription. Half-matte photo measures 10″ x 8″. Minute creasing, overall near fine condition. With Steve Zarelli Space Authentication COA. Sold for $10,000.

Signed Photo By Primary and First Backup Crew — Sold for $10,000

Exceptional Apollo 1 crew signed photo, with signatures from entire primary and first backup crew: ”Gus Grissom”, ”Ed White”, ”Roger B. Chaffee”, ”James A. McDivitt”, ”Rusty Schweickart” and ”Dave Scott” in red and black felt tip. Image captures the Apollo 1 astronauts posing in front of a model of the Command Module in their official NASA blue jump suits. Glossy photo measures 10” x 8”. Faint paperclip impression at upper right and fading to photo, while signatures remain bold and very readable. Overall in very good plus condition. With a Steve Zarelli COA for all six signatures. Sold for $10,000.

Crew Signed 8 x 10 Inch Photo — Sold for $8,049

Apollo 1 autographs on a crew photo signed by “Ed White”, “Gus Grissom” and “Roger Chaffee”. The astronauts stand in front of the Command Module on a typical day, dressed in business casual attire and smiling at the camera. Glossy photo measures 8″ x 10″. Some fading, ink notation to verso and a chip to lower left corner, else near fine. With PSA/DNA COA. Scarce. Sold for $8,049.

Crew-Signed Photo of Edward White’s Spacewalk — Sold for $7,500

Apollo 1 crew-signed photo measuring 20” x 16”, showing Edward White spacewalking during the Gemini 4 mission. The three astronauts of the fallen Apollo 1 mission provide extraordinarily large autographs in this colorful photo, measuring approximately 6” x 3.5” as a group. Each man signs in black felt-tip, ”Edward H. White II”, ”Roger B. Chaffee” and ”Gus Grissom”. Slight buckling and wear to photo, with small abrasions and chipping to edges, able to be framed out. Overall in very good condition. A rare oversized Apollo 1 crew-signed photo. Sold for $7,500.

Crew-Signed Photo — Sold for $4,500

Photo signed by the Apollo 1 crew, ”Gus Grissom”, ”Ed White” and ”Roger Chaffee” in black felt tip. Image captures the Apollo 1 astronauts with employees from the Command Module design team at North American Aviation. Glossy photo measures 10” x 8”. Light soiling to lower right corner and light buckling. Near fine. With PSA/DNA COA for all signatures. Sold for $4,500.

Gus Grissom and Ed White Signed Photo — Sold for $2,756

Rare Apollo I NASA photograph signed by Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom and Edward H. White, both tragically killed in the Apollo I capsule fire. 8″ x 10″ color photo printed “NASA S-66-40244” at upper left. Image depicts a cheerful Grissom and White just outside of the Apollo I capsule where they would later perish. Signed, “Gus Grissom” and “Ed White.” Tragically, astronauts Grissom, White and Roger Chaffee died in a training accident on 27 January 1967 when a fire in their Apollo I capsule spread rapidly due to the pure oxygen atmosphere. A rare NASA collectible in excellent condition.  Sold for $2,756.

Edward White Signed Photo — Sold for $1,563

Stunning large 14” x 11” photo signed by astronaut Edward White during the Gemini IV mission where White became the first man to perform EVA activity outside the spacecraft, as shown here. White inscribes the photo ”To Bob – With Best Regards, / Edward H White II / Gemini II – 3 June ’65”, with White either mis-writing II when he meant IV, or writing ”4” with a line drawn above it. Photo was given to Bob Kerr, owner of the graphics shop O&R Naval Air, who was tasked with writing instructions for the camera used in the Gemini IV mission. Semi-glossy photo is mounted to board measuring 18.25” x 15.5”. Board is lightly toned with chipping to edges, though photo itself is near fine. Accompanied by eight other space photos from Mr. Kerr’s collection. Sold for $1,563.

Edward White Signed and Inscribed ”Space Walk” Photo — Sold for $1,250

Signed color photo of astronaut Edward White ”walking” in space, the first man to do so on 3 June 1965. Tragically, White was one of three astronauts who died just two years later, in 1967 on an Apollo training mission. NASA photo is inscribed by White with his musings in space, delighting the whole world at the time: ”Joe / ‘I could see the whole California coast’ Edward H White / 3 June ’65”. Semi-matte photo measures 8” x 10” including off-white photographic border. Photo is stamped upon the border to the upper right ”NASA S-65-30428”. Tape remnant at top and light wear to corners. In very good condition. Sold for $1,250.

Edward White Signed Spacewalking Photo — Sold for $1,250

Edward White 8” x 10” signed photo of the Gemini IV mission where White became the first man to perform EVA activity outside the spacecraft, as shown here. White inscribes the photo in black felt-tip, ”To Lewis Lauterstein – This is one of the few uniforms you didn’t make! What a view of the world – with best regards / Edward H. White II / Gemini IV 3 June ’65”. Glossy photo has red NASA number S-65-30433 along margin. Light creasing and wear, overall in very good condition with bold handwriting by White. Sold for $1,250.

Thank you for learning about some of the Apollo 1 memorabilia we’ve sold. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions. View some of our Mercury Seven memorabilia.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Apollo 1 memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your Apollo 1 memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and photos 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 1 memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on subject matter, condition and provenance.