Several dozen lots associated with the first landing of a man on the moon in 1969 were sold at Sotheby's in New York. The total value of all lots exceeded $8 million. The most expensive item, valued by a buyer at $2.7 million, was the Teflon-coated jacket in which astronaut Buzz Aldrin descended on the Earth's satellite from Apollo 11. The organizers of the auction called this lot the most valuable space artifact ever to appear at Sotheby's. The remaining two jackets, which belonged to Neil Armstrong and Michael Collins, are kept at the Smithsonian Institution.
Among other space lots, the full flight plan signed by Aldrin, which went under the hammer for 819 thousand dollars, aroused great interest. There were also items made after the mission to the moon. An MTV Video Music Awards figurine based on a portrait of an astronaut hoisting a flag on the lunar surface was purchased at the auction. Particularly rare items include the highest US civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom; it was presented to Aldrin by President Richard Nixon.
Previously, Sotheby's has already exhibited a bag in which Neil Armstrong put samples of lunar rock - 5 years ago, they paid $ 1.8 million for it. Selling items related to the American space programs became easier after 2012, when the relevant laws were passed. Previously, NASA has repeatedly tried to block the sale of space artifacts.
On Violity you will find interesting items that came from deep space - meteorites with a certificate of authenticity.
