2019-07-01 Mon

France is going to issue a €1.30 stamp on 19th July to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first manned moon landing. Designed by Alice Bigot, the artwork is based on a photo showing Aldrin saluting the flag on the moon. On 5th July, Monaco is going to issue a €1 stamp featuring a design illustrated by Joel Tchobanian showing an astronaut and earth as viewed from the moon.

Spain issued a special souvenir sheet on 13th June. Some stamps from the sheet honour the contributions of the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology in this historic Mission. Armstrong’s words, “The Eagle has landed” were heard by the scientists at the tracking station in Fresnedillas de la Oliva for the first time. A Spanish quote on the €3.50 stamp translates to “Spain, whose history is full of discoveries, has helped us take this huge step for Humanity. “Without the communications maintained between the Apollo XI and the space station Apollo Madrid in Fresnedillas, our landing wouldn’t have been possible.”

A black-and-white photo of Spanish engineer Jose Manuel Grandela at the tracking station is featured on the souvenir sheet. Eagle on the moon and the command module Columbia in orbit are featured on the selvage. The command module was piloted by Astronaut Michael Collins. The stamp shows Aldrin on the moon. When the souvenir sheet is closed, it shows two parts of the moon and an antenna. Augmented reality is also portrayed through the design.

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Image Courtesy: La Poste