How to Sell Your Space-Flown Memorabilia

Space-flown memorabilia serve as tangible evidence that celebrate some groundbreaking milestones that space missions have accomplished. These items serve as badges of achievement for humankind as well as inspire future generations. Memorabilia can range from practical items used during missions, such as food rations or a toothbrush, to cultural symbols, like national flags. We’ve sold a wide variety of space-flown memorabilia as space is one of our specialties at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Please feel free to contact us if you are interested in a free appraisal or if you’d like to sell your space-flown memorabilia.

Here are some space-flown items we’ve sold:

Apollo 11 Space-Flown U.S. Flag

Apollo flown flags are among of the most treasured NASA memorabilia. Flags of several nations were flown aboard spacecraft of the Apollo missions as a symbol of peaceful exploration and human achievement. We realized $89,220 for an Apollo 11 flown U.S. flag mounted to a certificate signed by Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins.

Jack Swigert’s Apollo 13 Flown Gold Robbins Medal

Beginning with Apollo 7, Robbins medals were minted for and flown aboard every Apollo mission. We sold a 14K gold Apollo 13 flown medal from Jack Swigert’s personal collection for $73,500. These commemorative medals feature the mission’s insignia, so for Apollo 13 the medal bears three horses flying towards the moon. The text, “Apollo XIII” and ”Ex Luna, Scientia” also appears along the border of the medal. Astronauts from Apollo 13 were limited to purchasing two gold Robbins medals.

The Apollo 15 Hand Controller From Al Worden

Apollo 15 was the fourth mission in which humans landed on the Moon and the first mission designed for more in-depth analysis of the lunar surface. The flight crew of this 12 day mission consisted of Al Worden, David Scott and James Irwin and launched on July 26, 1971. Scott and Irwin conducted extravehicular activities on the Moon’s surface while Worden orbited the Moon using the Command Module Endeavor. We realized $72,556 for the hand controller used by Al Worden as Command Module Pilot during Apollo 15. Item comes with a COA signed by Worden complete with his thorough explanation of this unique space-flown piece.

John Glenn’s In-Flight Instructions Flown Aboard Mercury 6

Space pioneer John Glenn was the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth with the Mercury-Atlas 6/ “Friendship 7” mission on February 20, 1962. The main objectives of the mission were to get an astronaut in orbit, test the performance of spacecraft and monitor the effect of spaceflight on the human body. We sold detailed in-flight instructions used by Glenn during the Mercury 6 mission for $66,993. This chronological flight plan, measuring 4.75″ x 42.5″, contains both astrological markers and fixed geographical landmarks on Earth.

Apollo 11 Flag Flown to the Moon

Space and Apollo flown flags help tell the tale of the Apollo missions and space exploration as a whole. Apollo flags are displayed in several prominent museums alongside other mementos such as spacecraft models and lunar material. We sold an American flag flown on the historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969 for $63,195. Flag is attached to a NASA certificate and signed by the entire crew, Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin.

Apollo 11 Flag Flown to the Moon

We realized $62,500 for a U.S. silk flag flown on the pivotal Apollo 11 mission in 1969. Flag is attached to an official NASA certificate that reads, ”This flag traveled to the Moon with Apollo 11, the first manned lunar landing, July 20, 1969”. Certificate has the Apollo 11 emblem is signed by all members of the legendary crew in felt tip. Neil Armstrong’s famous quote, ”One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”, is printed along the bottom of certificate.

Bible Flown to the Moon on Apollo 13

Several Apollo missions famously carried a microform Bible aboard the flight for symbolic and inspirational purposes. We realized $62,500 for a King James microform Bible, with the serial number 13-010, flown on the Apollo 13 mission. The Bible originated from the Apollo Prayer League, an organization founded by NASA chaplain and engineer Reverend John M. Stout. The purposes of bringing a Bible aboard Apollo 13 was to pray for the astronauts as well as to fly a Bible to the moon in memory of Edward White who tragically perished in a launch test rehearsal for Apollo 1. Microform Bible is also accompanied by a COA signed by the Apollo 13 crew and Rev. Stout.

Apollo 17 Flown Robbins Medal, Serial Number 41

Apollo 17 was the final mission of NASA’s Apollo program and the final time humankind traveled to the moon. The crew of the 1971 flight consisted of Commander Eugene Cernan, Jack Schimitt and Ronald Evans. Schmitt was the only geologist to walk on the moon and his expertise greatly improved their scientific study. The main accomplishments of the mission involved conducting detailed geological studies in the Taurus-Littrow Valley, collecting 110 kg of lunar samples and deploying a seismometer to study the internal structure of the moon. We sold an Apollo 17 Robbins medal, serial number 41, from Jack Swigert’s personal collection for $56,250.

Jack Swigert’s Space-Flown Apollo 11 Robbins Medal

Apollo 11 involved many firsts, including the first time a U.S. flag was set into the Moon’s surface, the first time humans set foot on the Moon and the first lunar samples taken back to Earth. The first steps taken on the Moon were broadcast on live TV to about 600 million people using a slow-scan television camera mounted on the Lunar Module. We sold an Apollo 11 space-flown Robbins medal, serial number 179, from Jack Swigert’s personal collection for $42,000.

Buzz Aldrin’s Space-Flown Apollo 11 Robbins Medal

We realized $37,813 for a space-flown Apollo 11 Robbins medal from the personal collection of Buzz Aldrin. This highly collectible medal is crafted from sterling silver and bears the text “Apollo 11” with the mission emblem on front. Reverse of medal contains three dates for the launch, ”July 16, 1969”, landing, ”July 20, 1969”, and return, ”July 24, 1969” along with the serial number, “257” and last names of the crew. Medal was originally given to by Aldrin to family friend Bill Town and lot comes with LOAs from the Tow family. The lot also comes with a signed photo of Buzz Aldrin inscribed to Bill Tow.

Thanks for checking out some of our top space-flown sales! Please feel free to reach out with any questions or if you would like to sell your space-flown item.

FAQ

How do I consign or sell my space-flown memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your space-flown 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 possible 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 space-flown memorabilia?
The value of your item can vary based on condition, the mission it was flown aboard and if the item is also accompanied with a signature.