How to Sell Your Apollo 13 Autographs & Memorabilia

To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 13 autographs & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

What Was Apollo 13?

Apollo 13 was the seventh mission in the Apollo program that launched in April 1970 with astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise. The mission had planned to land in the Fra Mauro region of the moon, but an oxygen tank explosion caused the spacecraft to forgo its moon landing. The astronauts survived by making vital repairs to the spacecraft to remove the accumulating carbon dioxide. The Lunar Module was used as a lifeboat as the crew made a splashdown into the Pacific Ocean.

Some Apollo 13 Autographs & Memorabilia We’ve Sold:

Mission Flown Gold Robbins Medal — Sold for $73,500

Jack Swigert’s personally owned Robbins medal struck in 14K gold, flown aboard Apollo 13 where he famously reported, “Houston, we’ve had a problem.” Unlike the silver Robbins medals which number over 400 for the Apollo 13 mission, this scarce gold Robbins medal is one of only six, with each astronaut being able to purchase up to two. Like the silver Robbins medals, the original gold medals taken on the space flight were melted down and re-cast with the new design, without the landing date and with Swigert’s name replacing Ken Mattingly. Medal depicts mission insignia, including the name of the mission, three of Apollo’s chariot horses flying toward the Moon, and the slogan ”Ex Luna, Scientia” (from the moon, knowledge). Verso lists the crew members, space modules, and engraved dates of launch and return, as well as “14K r”. Unlike the silver medals, the gold medals were not serialized but it’s known that only six or less were produced. Gold medal measures 1.25” in diameter. In near fine condition. From the estate of Jack Swigert and with an LOA from his sister. Sold for $73,500.

Mission Flown Bible — Sold for $62,500

Extraordinarily rare Bible flown to the moon aboard Apollo 13. Complete King James microform Bible, Serial Number 13-010, originates from the Apollo Prayer League, formed with the dual goals of praying for the astronauts, and also of sending a Bible to the moon in the memory of Edward White, the astronaut who died in the Apollo 1 fire before he could fulfill that dream. Bible comes with two certificates of authenticity: one signed by the crew of Apollo 13 certifying that the Bible with serial number 13-010 flew to the moon; a second letter from the Apollo Prayer League is signed by both Commander James Lovell and also the Director of the Apollo Prayer League John M. Stout. Bible is beautifully framed in a custom presentation measuring 10.5” x 11.25”, accented with a pearl and garnet against red velvet and a gold cross. Miniaturized Bible measuring 1.5” square is centered in the presentation with ”HOLY BIBLE” at top. In beautiful, near fine condition with excellent supporting provenance. Sold for $62,500.

Jack Swigert’s Mission-Flown Spacesuit Patches — Sold for $27,500

Exceptionally rare collection of Jack Swigert’s Apollo 13 flown spacesuit beta cloth patches. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Beta cloth patches were designed from a material made of fireproof material woven from Teflon fibers. NASA spacesuits each featured four beta cloth patches, including a name tag, the NASA logo, mission insignia, and an American flag. All four of Swigert’s patches are intact and housed in sheaths of plastic for protection in the following order: the first depicts his last name, measuring 5” x 2”, the second depicts the traditional NASA logo, measuring 5” x 4.25”, the third, the Apollo 13 mission insignia including the name of the mission, three of Apollo’s chariot horses flying toward the Moon, and the slogan ”Ex Luna, Scientia” (”from the moon, knowledge”), measuring 4” x 4”, and the fourth, an American flag measuring 7.25” x 5.25”. Patches have some toning, particularly to edges, and a fold running vertically through American flag, though each could be removed from plastic and nicely framed. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister. Sold for $27,500.

Mission-Flown American Flag — Sold for $18,291

American flag flown aboard the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission to the moon. Printed 6” x 4” fabric flag accompanied the astronauts on the Apollo 13 mission, the third of the Apollo lunar missions, that was aborted after an oxygen tank exploded, though each of the astronauts returned safely to earth. Flag is affixed to an official NASA certificate with the Apollo 13 printed insignia and reading: ”This flag was on board Apollo XIII during its flight and Emergency Return to Earth.” Certificate is signed, ”Jim Lovell”, ”Jack Swigert” and ”Fred Haise”. Certificate measures 10” x 12” and has a small .5” enclosed tear to top edge and minor creasing to upper left corner. Some tape showthrough behind flag, else very good to near fine overall. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s sister. Sold for $18,291.

Mission Flown Instrument Cover & Omega Velcro Watch Strap — Sold for $13,920

Lot of two items from Jack Swigert’s estate. First item is an Apollo 13 flown instrument cover, measuring 1.75″ in diameter, made of a stainless steel disc with an articulated ring at center. Above and below the ring are codes printed in black that read, ”P/NSEB33100063-301 / S/N1017 ASSY.” A small square of velcro is affixed to verso at center, certainly to secure cover in place in the weightless environment of space. Lot also includes Swigert’s NASA issued Omega velcro watch strap, worn by Swigert over his space suit, and likely space flown. Velcro strap with metal fastener is imprinted with code numbers ”P/N SEB12100030-202 / S/N 1067”. Measures 22” in length. Some dulling and superficial marks to lid and soiling to velcro strap. Near fine overall. With an LOA from the estate of Jack Swigert verifying that it is Apollo 13 flown.  Sold for $13,920.

Mission Flown Toothbrush — Sold for $11,794

Jack Swigert Apollo 13 flown, personally owned NASA Oral B-40 clear toothbrush. Toothbrush measures 6.25” with some toning and wear. Housed in a plastic case. Very good. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister certifying that it is Apollo 13 flown.  Sold for $11,794.

Mission Flown Flag and Patch — Sold for $11,075

Apollo 13 patch and United States flag, both flown to the moon by astronaut Jack Swigert on the Apollo 13 mission. Swigert himself had the items framed, along with a photo of the splashdown, for his father; Swigert writes on the mat, ”This flag and patch were flown to the moon on Apollo 13 April 11-17, 1970 for my Father who has been my guidance and inspiration thru life / Jack Swigert”. Flag measures 5.5” x 4”, patch measures 4” in diameter and photo measures 5.5” x 4.5”. Entire framed presentation measures 15.75” x 12.75”. Nicks to frame, otherwise near fine. With an LOA by Virginia Swigert, Jack Swigert’s sister. Sold for $11,075.

Mission Flown Silver Pencil — Sold for $10,313

Apollo 13 flown space pencil personally owned by Command Module Pilot Jack Swigert. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Silver mechanical pencil still works and has original graphite intact. With ”SEB 12100081-301” and ”S/N 2015” engraved in black to side of pen. Measures 5” with tiny piece of velcro taped to top. Near fine. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister attesting that it is Apollo 13 flown.  Sold for $10,313.

Mission Flown Lot of 6 Space Patches — Sold for $8,438

Lot of 6 official patches Apollo 13 flown. Round patches are embroidered with mission slogan ”Ex Luna, Scienta”, meaning ”from the moon, knowledge” surrounding dynamic mission insignia: a trio of horses galloping over the moon. Five are identical, with embroidery in orange, yellow, brown, black, white and blue with sparkly silver border. The remaining patch is the same design but crafted in muted earth tones. Accompanied by a handwritten authenticity note in Swigert’s hand on U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Science and Technology letterhead. Each patch measures just over 4” in diameter. Fine. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s estate.  Sold for $8,438.

Jack Swigert’s Mission Flown Heat Shield Plug — Sold for $3,750

Rare Apollo 13 flown heat shield plug encased in a circular piece of lucite and engraved in black along bottom, ”Apollo 13 / April 11-17, 1970”. Heat shield plugs are made of incredibly lightweight fiberglass ‘honeycomb’ which is hand-filled with an ablative resin material by air gun in order to limit high heat exposure during re-entry. The crew endured incredible circumstances after launching 11 April 1970, when two days later, they were forced into an emergency turn-around before ever reaching the moon. Fortunately the astronauts expertly improvised a repair to the spacecraft and narrowly escaped disaster, ultimately returning safely to Earth. Plug measures 1.5” in diameter with ”37” engraved to bottom; lucite casing measures 3”. Near fine. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s sister.
Sold for $3,750.

Jack Swigert’s Crew Signed NASA Launch Photo — Sold for $2,520

Apollo 13 official NASA photo signed by each astronaut on the famed mission. 8” x 10” glossy photo depicts the 11 April 1970 launch of Apollo 13 spacecraft. Two days after the launch, an oxygen tank exploded and the crew was forced to abandon the mission and fly back to Earth in the dangerously compromised spacecraft. Signed boldly in black marker along right side, ”Jim Lovell”, ”Jack Swigert” and ”Fred Haise”. Minor toning to mat, else fine. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister. Sold for $2,520.

Piece of Apollo 13 Lunar Module Aquarius — Sold for $1,749

Official piece of material from the Apollo 13 lunar module Aquarius, which brought the astronauts home to safety during the 1970 NASA mission. With a signed COA reading “A Piece of ‘Aquarius’ LM-7…From the Apolo 13 Crew / Thanks for a job well done!” With signatures from Jack Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise as well as the Apollo 13 launch director. Aquarius material, measuring 1″ x 1″ is taped to mustard yellow NASA COA measuring 7″ x 5″. Fine condition. Sold for $1,749.

Crew Signed NASA Photo of Splashdown — Sold for $1,719

Official Apollo 13 NASA photo signed by each astronaut on the famed mission. 10” x 8” glossy photo portrays the momentous splashdown of the Odyssey Lunar Module in the South Pacific Ocean on 17 April 1970. Signed boldly in black marker along right side, ”Jim Lovell”, ”Jack Swigert” and ”Fred Haise”. Minor toning to mat, else fine. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister. Sold for $1,719.

To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 13 autographs & memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (NateDSanders.com).

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Apollo 13 autographs & memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your Apollo 13 items 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 13 memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition, provenance and subject matter.