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  Withdrawn from Chrstie's: Moon watch and rock

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Author Topic:   Withdrawn from Chrstie's: Moon watch and rock
Robert Pearlman
Editor

Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 06-09-2004 02:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Robert Pearlman   Click Here to Email Robert Pearlman     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Though not yet noted on their website, the following lot was withdrawn from the June 11, 2004 Christie's (Rockefeller Center, NY) auction of "Important Pocket Watches and Wristwatches":
Omega. A fine and historically significant stainless steel water-resistant chronograph wristwatch worn by Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford, astronaut on Gemini VI and IX-A, Apollo X and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP), with NASA presentation box containing political and space memorabilia
Of particular interest, are these two passages in the catalog description of the lot:
This watch is offered in a large steel and leather NASA presentation box containing ten metal trays. On the trays are:
  • Envelopes bearing first day of issue Moon landing stamps
  • Invitations to the White House for reception of Chancellor Helmut Kohl, October 21, 1986 to Mr. Uwe Schimpf
  • Apollo XI and American eagle patches
  • Spare stainless steel Omega bracelet and spare nylon strap
  • Portrait of Vice President George Bush, circa 1981; Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger; and candid picture of General Stafford with Secretary Weinberger
  • Seven NASA press photos showing different parts of the space program
  • A moon rock (30 x 30 x 45 mm.)
  • The watch
  • Four press pamphlets detailing Apollo XI and XII and Skylab missions
  • Two presentation licence plates, one of Florida's 1989 commemoration of the Space Shuttle Challenger, and one of the 1989
  • Presidential Innauguration autographed by Vice President Dan Quale
  • A small U.S. Presidential flag
  • A copy of Life magazine from July 25, 1969, 'Leaving for the Moon' The Moon Watch, a booklet by Omega about the Speedmaster Professional model
  • A signed portrait of Gen. Stafford from the Apollo X mission
  • An American flag with gold tassle border
The present example was worn in space by Lieutenant General Thomas P. Stafford on his historic ASTP mission in July 1975.

Scott
Member

Posts: 3307
From: Houston, TX
Registered: May 2001

posted 06-09-2004 09:58 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Scott   Click Here to Email Scott     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Goodness, is this a real Moon rock? I like how the rock wasn't even mentioned in the title. Haha.

FFrench
Member

Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-09-2004 11:47 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FFrench     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
There is something also deliciously ironic in them spelling Dan Quayle's name wrong in the catalog, as he was famous for his misspellings...

FFrench
Member

Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 06-09-2004 11:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for FFrench     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The "moon rock" also seems to be pictured in the lot online - the photo can be enlarged by clicking on it.

kucharek
Member

Posts: 38
From: Karlsruhe, Germany
Registered: Oct 2003

posted 06-11-2004 04:45 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for kucharek     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
The "moon rock" can at best be a replica like these.

The parts of moon rocks given to countries very very small ones, never heard that such a large chunk was given away.

All times are CT (US)

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