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Author
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Topic: Apollo 8 mission patch variants, versions
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rchappel
Member Posts: 110
From: Texas
Registered: Mar 2006
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posted 11-12-2009 04:39 PM
  
I know almost nothing about patches but I am putting together some Apollo 8 items that I am going to get framed together and I want to include an "authentic" period Apollo 8 patch. Is there one universally accepted Apollo 8 patch (AB vs. Lion, etc)? Also, once I find one, how do I know it actually is from that era? |
spaced out
Member Posts: 3218
From: Paris, France
Registered: Aug 2003
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posted 11-13-2009 01:45 AM
I would say either a Lion Brothers version or a vintage (bare cloth back) AB Emblem version would be valid for what you propose. Either would be authentic period pieces.There is another patch design that was actually carried on the mission and which you see in Apollo 8 presentations from the time but this "Crew Souvenir Patch" is extremely rare. In fact I've only seen one example sold that wasn't either flown or mounted with a flown item in an original presentation. Check out the Apollo 8 page of my Crew Patches site for images of the various patches from that mission, and do read the Introduction page for background information on collecting vintage patches. |
Rizz
Member Posts: 1208
From: Upcountry, Maui, Hawaii
Registered: Mar 2002
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posted 11-04-2010 10:48 PM
Has anyone ever seen an Apollo 8 patch (rectangular) with horses on it? |
mode1charlie
Member Posts: 1490
From: Honolulu, HI
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 11-04-2010 11:59 PM
Don't know who produced the patch, but there is some info here on the origin of the design. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 3098
From: Titusville, FL
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 11-05-2010 02:38 AM
Here's the information you're looking for. The crews of Apollo 1, Apollo 7, Apollo 9 and Apollo 10 wore the work of artist Allen S. Stevens... While not selected as the official mission emblem Stevens also created designs for Apollo 8, Apollo 11, Apollo 12 and Apollo 17. |
J.L
Member Posts: 694
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 11-06-2010 09:52 AM
Even though this patch is primarily thought of as a novelty, NASA considered it "official" enough to issue an official press photo - S68-53480. |
LM-12
Member Posts: 4069
From: Ontario, Canada
Registered: Oct 2010
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posted 01-31-2015 01:28 AM
If the positions of the Earth and the moon were reversed in the Apollo 8 mission emblem, then the moon would be in the foreground, and the names of the crew would be "orbiting" the moon instead of the Earth. The Apollo 8 emblem has the translunar and transearth paths crossing. The mission's path more resembled a "U" shape as the moon traveled along its own orbital path. Even so, the figure "8" design was a great idea. |
liftoff1
Member Posts: 236
From: Cumberland, Wisconsin
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-14-2019 12:48 PM
What is the method of determining the age of the various Apollo 8 mission patches? I have seen patches that incorporate what appears to be a "cheese cloth" stitching on the back as well as some that have a normal stitch pattern and even some that have a back that appears to be some kind of plastic. I am referring only to the patches with the black border on the front.  
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liftoff1
Member Posts: 236
From: Cumberland, Wisconsin
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-18-2019 10:59 AM
Can anyone tell me what the differences are between these three versions of the Apollo 8 mission patches? Were these made by different companies at different time frames, are they all considered "original," etc.? |
David Carey
Member Posts: 1062
From:
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 05-18-2019 04:16 PM
Chris Spain (spaced out) provided a link to his great website in the second post - should provide some of what you're after by way of manufacturer info and ID.Note you will need to scroll down to the 3" Embroidered Mission Patches section and click on the "Show Content" button to right of header to expand. Two of your patches are discussed, I believe, though not the plastic-backed example (assuming all are same size). Perhaps some patch experts can chime in on dating and what defines "original." Chris' Introduction page states that plastic-backed AB patches reflect later-70s production but can't say if that applies to yours. |
liftoff1
Member Posts: 236
From: Cumberland, Wisconsin
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 05-18-2019 04:46 PM
Thanks, David. I had been to Chris' website but hadn't noticed the "Show Content" icon and therefore missed seeing the explanation of the variations. |
dtemple
Member Posts: 798
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 03-07-2025 03:13 PM
I recently acquired a patch that appears to be one of the Apollo souvenir crew patches made by Texas Art Embroidery for the crew. It is the four-inch sized one. The souvenir crew patch has the segmented light blue area representing Earth's Atlantic ocean; this one has a reasonably clear segment, but the rest are barely visible. The one illustrated on CrewPatches.com has heavier segments. My patch can be seen below. What is the verdict - crew patch or not? If not, which patch is it?  
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Liembo
Member Posts: 894
From: Bothell, WA
Registered: Jan 2013
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posted 03-07-2025 03:43 PM
That looks like an A-B Emblem souvenir version. There is a tail on the reverse and the moon detail threat color is too light.There are examples of the A-B version that have similar "ribbng" in the ocean embroidery, so it often looks similar. |
dtemple
Member Posts: 798
From: Longview, Texas, USA
Registered: Apr 2000
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posted 03-07-2025 09:21 PM
The presence of a tail on the reverse side is an absolute tell that it's an A-B Emblem patch? I suppose since these patches are so rare that making comparisons is not practical, therefore there really is no way to be 100% certain. Thanks to those who informed me this is an A-B Emblems patch. I found it on eBay (wasn't even looking for this patch) and couldn't be sure one way, or the other, though it appeared it just might be the "crew patch," so I gambled a few dollars. |
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