From 1st to 3rd November, Heritage Auctions is going to conduct the Space Exploration Signature Auction featuring interesting philatelic items belonging to the family of Neil Armstrong at the Heritage Auctions Design District Showroom, 1518 Slocum St., in Dallas, Texas.

The offered items include autographed first-day covers, crew-signed flown covers, signed blocks of stamps and souvenir sheets, and a 1943 edition of the Scott Standard Postage Stamp Catalogue. Some covers have autographs of mission commander Armstrong; pilot Buzz Aldrin and command module pilot Michael Collins.

A colour-cacheted cover numbered “NA-28” and signed by all three, features a hand-written note by Armstrong that reads “Carried to the Moon on Apollo 11”. The cover has the 1968 6¢ Flag and White House stamp with top margin selvage. It was cancelled on 11th August 1969 at Webster, Texas with a quarantine marking. The round Apollo 11 eagle landing insignia is featured on the cachet.

These covers are sealed in a numbered archival sleeve with a statement of provenance signed by Armstrong’s sons, Rick and Mark. The cover was offered with a starting bid of $37,000, a few weeks back.

Another highlight is a 1962 cacheted FDC with the 4¢ Project Mercury stamp, signed by Lt. Col. John H. Glenn Jr, whose space flight is celebrated by the stamp. The signature reads “Best regards to the Armstrongs / John Glenn.”

The Art Craft cover features Glenn in his space suit, the Atlas rocket at liftoff, and Earth with the Mercury capsule in orbit. Sealed in an archival holder, this cover is offered at an opening bid of $1,000.

A plate block of six of the 1969 6¢ Apollo 8 commemorative signed in the selvage by Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins will be offered at an opening bid of $2,000.

Image Courtesy: Heritage Auctions