Apollo 16 Autographs & Memorabilia: Prices Realized & Value Factors
To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 16 autographs and memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
The Apollo 16 Mission
Apollo 16 launched on April 16, 1972 and was the fifth mission to land humans on the Moon. The crew consisted of John Young , Charlie Duke and Ken Mattingly II. Highlights of the mission included landing in the Descartes region and learning more about the Moon’s history. The mission brought back over 200 pounds of lunar rocks and soil from the Descartes Formation and the Cayley Formation to study.
Some Apollo 16 Autographs & Memorabilia We’ve Sold:
John Young and Charlie Duke Signed Apollo 16 Photo — Sold for $4,000
Fantastic photo autographed by the two Apollo 16 moonwalkers: John Young and Charlie Duke. Photo shows Young standing next to the Lunar Rover on the moon, saluting the United States flag. He writes, ”John Young / 9th man on the Moon / Apollo 16 CDR”. His lunar partner then signs, ”Hey, John, This is perfect, you, the Rover, and the old flag. Come give me a big Navy salute. / Charlie Duke / Apollo 16 Moonwalker”. Both men sign in silver felt-tip, a dramatic presentation against the black sky. Satin-finish photo measures 10” x 8”. Near fine condition. With Steve Zarelli Space Authentication COA. Sold for $4,000.
Apollo 16 Flown Astronaut Rations — Sold for $3,702
Lunar Module Pilot Charles Duke’s own Apollo 16 flown space food ration in airtight packaging. The lunar mission launched from Kennedy Space Center on 16 April 1972, commanded by John Young, Duke and Ken Mattingly. NASA over-packed lunch for its astronauts, and after an eleven-day expedition in space, they returned to Earth with leftovers including this intact 12-pack of cheddar cheese crackers. The Velcro tab used to secure the package in the weightless environment of space is still affixed to the upper right. A label affixed to center identifies the snack and bears ID number “5083”. A typed letter of provenance signed by Duke is included. Dated 11 December 2004, it reads in part: “…By this letter, I certify that the Apollo food bag containing ‘Cheddar Cheese Crackers’ with ID number 5083 with a ‘Blue’ Velcro tab was flown to the moon aboard the Apollo Command Module ‘Casper’…Each meal usually consisted of four or five bags that included a drink, a soup, an entree, a vegetable, and a dessert. One crewman would prepare the meals for consumption…While the Apollo food did not look very appetizing, I actually found it tasty and certainly nutritious. The portions were more than ample so all the food was not consumed. This is one of the bags that were not consumed. This food bag has been a part of my personal space collection since we returned from our mission on April 27, 1972…” The Apollo 16 mission included the collection of rock samples from the moon’s Descartes Highlands. Evidence of rock formed by impact rather than volcano surprised scientists, providing new insight into the history of our closest celestial neighbor. Package measures 7″ x 3.5″, in fine condition. Sold for $3,702.
Charlie Duke Autograph Letter Signed — Sold for $3,200
Apollo 16 Flown Crew Signed American Flag — Sold for $3,032
Rare 6″ x 4″ American flag flown to the moon on the Apollo 16 mission, with signatures of all three crew-members: “John Young”, “Tom Mattingly” and “Charlie Duke”. Signatures and an inscription (likely by Mattingly) appear on the presentation document upon which the flag is affixed. Inscription on left reads: “Sam — Thanks for keeping our gym in such good shape. We sincerely appreciate it.” The framed NASA presentation includes a printed header reading: “This flag was carried to the moon by the crew of Apollo 16″, the nylon flag at center and official Apollo 16 insignias at bottom. Framed to an overall size of 18.5″ x 15.5”. Very faint showthrough of glue to flag’s corners, else near fine. Sold for $3,032.
Charlie Duke Signed Wernher von Braun Photo — Sold for $2,940
Charlie Duke signed 16” x 20” photo honoring Wernher von Braun, chief architect of the Saturn V rocket and the man most responsible for America’s dominance in the 20th century space race. On a photo of von Braun standing in front of the Saturn V rocket engines, Duke writes in full: ”Dr. Werner Von Braun was an impressive man. I met him while attending his monthly staff meeting at MSFC in Alabama. Stu Roosa and I were assigned to attend these meetings and report back to the astronaut office on the Saturn V progress. I was so impressed with his corporate and technical comprehension yet with a humble spirit. I think he knew more about rocketry than any person alive at the time. / Charlie Duke / Apollo 16 Moonwalker”. Duke’s inscription references NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), where the Apollo Saturn rockets were developed. Photo is inscribed by Duke in silver felt-tip. Near fine condition. Sold for $2,940.
Apollo 16 Flown American Flag — Sold for $2,756
Cloth 6″ x 4″ American flag flown to the moon on the Apollo 16 mission, with a signed dedication by Jerry Elliott, chief engineer for the Apollo missions control team. Elliott, a Cherokee-Osage Native American also named High Eagle, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Nixon for his “retrofire” calculations which helped bring the men from Apollo 13 home safely. With notarized letter of provenance from the son of Herman Saunders, who produced the movie “Houston, We’ve Got A Problem.” Elliott served as a consultant during filming and gave the flag to Saunders as a remembrance. Elliott’s dedication reads: “This flag was carried to the moon by the crew of Apollo 16 — and is presented to a valued friend, Herman Saunders, who has reminded me that you fail only when you give up trying, and that friendship reaches beyond the farthest star.” Signed “Jerry Elliott” in light ink beneath the dedication. Framed with a poem by Elliott, who is also a songwriter and poet, written during the first landing on the moon. Framed to an overall size of 20″ x 17″. Flag has glue showthrough in four spots, else near fine condition. Accompanied by notarized letter of authenticity by Herman Saunders’ son. Sold for $2,756.
Charlie Duke Christian Signed Essay — Sold for $2,500
Charlie Duke Signed Apollo Saturn V Rocket Model — Sold for $1,785
Charlie Duke signed Saturn V rocket model, a 1:200 scale model of the rocket that transported Duke on the Apollo 16 mission. Base is boldly signed “Charlie Duke / APOLLO 16 LMP” in silver felt-tip. Measures approximately 22″ tall. Near fine condition. Sold for $1,785.
Charlie Duke Signed Command and Lunar Module Model — Sold for $1,760
Charlie Duke signed Command and Lunar Module model, as it looked before the Lunar Module detached from the Command Module to land on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission, where Duke served as Lunar Module Pilot. Model is signed on its base by Duke in silver felt-tip, “Charlie Duke / Apollo 16 LMP”. Hand-painted model is scale 1/48, measuring approximately 12″ deep x 6″ wide x 14″ tall. Small indentation to the wood base near Duke’s signature, else near fine. Sold for $1,760.
Apollo 16 Crew Signed NASA Photo — Sold for $1,562
Apollo 16 photo, signed, ”Ken Mattingly”, ”John Young” and ”Charlie Duke”. NASA publicity photo is dedicated by an unknown hand, ”To: Steven W. Bell”. Semi-matte photo measures 10” x 8”. Toning and some wear to bottom edge, else near fine. Sold for $1,562.
Charlie Duke and Fred Haise Signed Photo — Sold for $1,400
Large 20″ x 16″ photo of Apollo 11 Mission Control, signed by Charlie Duke and Fred Haise, who served as CAPCOM and Back-up Lunar Module Pilot for the first moon landing. Capturing the anxiety and excitement of the men back at NASA, Duke handwrites the words spoken to Armstrong and Aldrin after touch-down on the moon, “‘WE COPY YOU DOWN EAGLE!’ / Charlie Duke / Apollo 11 CAPCOM / July 20, 1969”, and Haise, shown sitting with Duke and James Lovell, handwrites “Mission Control during man’s first lunar landing July 20, 1969 / Fred Haise / Apollo 11 BU LMP”. Glossy photo is near fine. Sold for $1,400.
John Young Photo Inscribed to Jack Swigert — Sold for $1,325
John Young signed and inscribed official NASA photo, stamp-dated 10 September 1964 to verso. Young poses smiling in his silver spacesuit. Inscribed in black ink to upper right, ”To Jack / What the hell do you want this for?? / John”. Glossy photo measures 8” x 10” with slight curling to edges and toning to mat, else near fine. With an LOA from Swigert’s sister. Sold for $1,325.
Charlie Duke Signed Mars from Global Surveyor 16×20 Photo — Sold for $1,050
To auction, sell or consign your Apollo 16 memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (http://www.NateDSanders.com).
FAQs
How do I consign or sell my Apollo 16 autographs & memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your Apollo 16 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 16 memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition, subject matter, and provenance.