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Author
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Topic: Walt Cunningham's Apollo 7 limited patch
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divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-12-2010 09:12 AM
   
Walt Cunningham has reissued a special limited edition of 300 Apollo 7 patches that are hallmarked, numbered and come with a certificate of authenticity. You can also get them autographed by him.
Over the years, Walt has watched the "souvenir patches" get worse and worse and has had 300 patches commissioned that are identical to his original design. Limited Edition Apollo 7 Patch As the backup crew for Apollo 1, our intention was to focus on NASA's recovery from the fire on the pad. Our original concept was to depict a Saturn 1B rising from a ball of fire and call it the Phoenix. Al Steven's, of North American Rockwell, gave us a couple of nice sketches. All patch designs are subject to NASA approval and we abandoned the Phoenix theme feeling it would be rejected as in bad taste. Wally asked me to give Stevens a new idea. I focused on the earth orbital nature of our mission. After some discussion with Donn Eisele, I sketched out the round Earth with the command module in elliptical orbit front of it. The orbital plane was tilted for artistic reasons. From my sketches, Al Stevens did the final artwork and Wally approved the final design. Calling our spacecraft "Phoenix" was out. Following the first manned Gemini mission, NASA adopted a policy against naming spacecraft. They were out of favor until Apollo 9, when having two spacecraft on the same radio frequency at the same time made it essential. I do not recall who manufactured our original patch. I did not copyright the design and it has been copied many times, both officially and commercially, in various sizes and usually with slightly different colors. The lousy copies finally motivated me to work with Tim Gagnon to create as accurate a reproduction of our original patch as possible. The limited edition of 300 is of higher quality than the original with a built-in means for me to determine authenticity. The limited edition patches are available only on my website, are numbered on the back and come with a certificate of authenticity. Prices range from $15-$70 and are limited to the first 300 buyers. They will NOT be reissued. Walt states that this is the ONLY patch that is true to the original 1968 design in color, size, design and quality.
All things considered, this is a very reasonably priced collectible for a limited edition item. This will ONLY be made available through his website. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-12-2010 11:40 AM
Thank you to everyone here, in the groups and on Facebook for the very positive comments regarding this patch.
The "old" patches have been bugging him for years and I'm glad to see that he went through with this limited edition. Plus, at $15 for a numbered version with a COA, it's VERY affordable... and can also make a cool holiday or birthday present if put in a frame. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-12-2010 12:06 PM
Kudos to Mr. Cunningham for making this patch available.Ordered a signed patch today. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-13-2010 11:22 PM
quote:
Originally posted by davidcwagner:
Kudos to Mr. Cunningham for making this patch available.
I agree. It's about time that an M-G-A astronaut offered an AFFORDABLE collectible. Walt went out of his way to have these produced [at his own expense] to offer to people like us. The last person who did something like that was Linda Gordon producing an excellent copy of Dick's Apollo 12 checklist, but the price wasn't in double digits.I have my new patch, and I must admit, the quality is excellent.
I think that Walt actually enjoys "us", the collectors - and tries to offer us quality things at reasonable prices.
As you said - Kudos to Mr. Cunningham. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-14-2010 06:31 AM
Just ordered one. The Apollo 7 patch has always been one of my favorite designs. I'm looking forward to having a high-quality and accurate reproduction. |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 09-15-2010 02:50 PM
Wow. I've wanted a good Apollo 7 patch forever, so this is just plain neat. I can't wait for mine. Many thanks to Walt (he and Dot are always a pleasure to do business with) for making it happen, and to all involved as well. |
MarylandSpace
Member Posts: 1336
From:
Registered: Aug 2002
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posted 09-15-2010 06:51 PM
What an awesome patch. Congratulations! |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-15-2010 10:16 PM
Ordered my patch too. Love the detail. Can't wait to see it. So there will only be 300 made, ever! WOW. Instant collectible. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-16-2010 06:23 PM
300 - numbered - WITH a COA.
Add an autograph and you have a really nice item at a very reasonable price. |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42984
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 09-16-2010 06:33 PM
The patch itself, now that I have seen it in person, is really very well done and worth the price alone. In my opinion, the hallmark puts this patch into the same category as the STS-4 hallmarked patches, if not also the Apollo 17 and ASTP initialed patches. My thanks to Walt for making this patch available. Take my advice folks, get this patch while you still can, because I believe it will be sold out before you know it... |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-16-2010 10:35 PM
The trick is to mount it in a double sided clear frame so you can see both sides of the patch as well as the COA.It's a lot of fun for little money. The quality and artwork can't be compared. I know it was bugging him for the longest time - I'm glad he finally followed through with it.
I have to agree with Robert - you'll really want one in your collection and you'll kick yourself if you don't have one. It's one of those silly "must-have's". I'm glad that I have mine! I also have a signed 25th anniversary patch from Apollo 7. I wonder how they'd look displayed together? But the hallmarked patch deserves its own display. |
Dave Clow
Member Posts: 236
From: South Pasadena, CA 91030
Registered: Nov 2003
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posted 09-17-2010 11:05 AM
Beautiful work. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-17-2010 05:19 PM
How long does it take to get in the mail once it it paid for? Still waiting for mine. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 09-17-2010 07:03 PM
Mine arrive in Fort Worth today. |
Peter Kemp
Member Posts: 91
From: Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom
Registered: Jul 2002
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posted 09-18-2010 09:34 AM
I ordered mine, a signed/numbered version on the 13th September. It was delivered to me here in the UK this morning, the 18th which is pretty quick. |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 09-18-2010 11:04 AM
I ordered it on Sept. 12 and I'm waiting. Next week it should arrive to Madrid. |
Jacques van Oene
Member Posts: 861
From: Houten, The Netherlands
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted 09-18-2010 12:09 PM
I order mine last Saturday and it arrived today, number 44 of 300 is now mine...very nice patch.  Thank you Walt !!
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davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 09-18-2010 02:58 PM
Doubles kudos to Mr. Cunningham.The signed #31 patch arrived today along with a surprise, a Walt Cunningham signed LOA specifying patch #31 of 300. The patch and the letter will be framed together. Very well done. |
benguttery
Member Posts: 547
From: Fort Worth, TX, USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 09-18-2010 05:18 PM
My LOA was not signed unfortunately. |
dogcrew5369
Member Posts: 750
From: Statesville, NC
Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 09-19-2010 05:46 PM
My patch arrived on the 18th #39. I like the letter that came with it. Be nice to frame both somehow. Awesome to get one of only 300. Maybe another Apollo astronaut could step forward and have another Apollo patch made correctly. |
Harald Kraenzel
Member Posts: 304
From: Dinslaken,Germany
Registered: Nov 2005
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posted 09-20-2010 04:31 AM
I ordered my patch Sept.13 and it arrived today. It's the number 50 of 300. Great patch.Many thanks to you, Walt. |
mama04
Member Posts: 151
From: Haarlem, N-H, Netherlands
Registered: Sep 2010
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posted 09-20-2010 06:13 AM
My copy has also arrived. Number 28 of 300 is now mine and will be given a very special place in my collection. |
4allmankind
Member Posts: 1043
From: Dallas
Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 09-20-2010 10:19 AM
I received mine in the mail today. What a great looking patch! Thanks for the heads up on this Tracy and Robert. And thanks to Walt for getting these patches done as well! |
GoesTo11
Member Posts: 1309
From: Denver, CO
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 09-20-2010 03:03 PM
Just got mine today (#77). It's really a beautiful patch...vivid, correct colors and crisp, sharp embroidery. I wish more astronauts would take ownership of these early patch designs the way Walt did with this one. So much junk out there! |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-20-2010 03:54 PM
Got mine today. I like the envelope's W. Cunningham return address as much as the patch! The patch IS superb, color and imagery. Thanks Walt. |
KAPTEC
Member Posts: 578
From: Madrid, Spain
Registered: Oct 2005
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posted 09-20-2010 04:26 PM
Arrived. Kudos Mr. Cunningham. A very good job and a very special patch for an older collector as I am. Thank you very much. (Jacques, mine is... #45!) |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 09-20-2010 06:28 PM
So are the continents suppose to be grey or green? The photo on the web site shows a grey, the actual patch is a green. |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 09-20-2010 06:40 PM
The patch is accurate. The continents above are an attempt to discourage anyone pirating the patch. |
Playalinda
Member Posts: 152
From: Peoria, AZ, USA
Registered: Oct 2009
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posted 09-20-2010 11:55 PM
Wonder who got the patches numbered 1 or 7. I think that Walt probably kept the #1 and the #7 was given to his wife. But who knows? Walt, thanks for making this very special patch. |
Apollonut
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 09-21-2010 06:43 AM
Received my Apollo 7 replica patch today - number 58. Love the attention to details especially the "WC" initials. Lets hope that similar patches are brought out for the other Apollo missions. |
divemaster
Member Posts: 1376
From: ridgefield, ct
Registered: May 2002
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posted 09-21-2010 09:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Playalinda:
Wonder who got the patches numbered 1 or 7. I think that Walt probably kept the #1 and the #7 was given to his wife. But who knows?
I know the artist who helped him has #1. I have #2. Don't know who has #7.
From what Walt told me, the first 100 were gone in the first weekend. If any of you are hedging, better think fast. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 09-22-2010 04:34 AM
Ordered mine on Sept. 12 and still waiting for fro delivery here in Georgia. Should I be concerned? If so, who should I contact? Thanks. |
sfurtaw
Member Posts: 104
From: Saginaw, MI USA
Registered: Feb 2004
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posted 09-22-2010 08:29 AM
I don't think I'd be concerned. I ordered mine yesterday and received the following email from Col. Cunningham: I apologize. I underestimated the demand. I am waiting for the last half of the limited edition to arrive and will send your order as soon as they arrive - at least 10 days. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 09-22-2010 09:13 AM
THANKS!! I just wanted to make sure I did not miss out on such a rare opportunity. |
Safecoat
Member Posts: 93
From: Austin, TX
Registered: Sep 2007
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posted 09-22-2010 12:11 PM
Sweet! I received a signed #19 patch today and plan to have it framed with the signed COA. Absolutely a treasure and worth every penny! |
ilbasso
Member Posts: 1522
From: Greensboro, NC USA
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 09-22-2010 12:12 PM
Mine arrived today - number 24. Beautiful in every aspect! With the exception of the detailing on the CSM, I consider it to be of equal to or higher fidelity than the Beta cloth patch. |
ea757grrl
Member Posts: 729
From: South Carolina
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 09-22-2010 04:01 PM
Received mine Monday, number 75/300. This thing is a beauty! Easily the best value in space collectibles I've come across in a long time. Walt Cunningham rules! |
kosmo
Member Posts: 388
From:
Registered: Sep 2001
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posted 09-22-2010 04:27 PM
Are the signed COA's coming with both the unsigned and signed patch? |
andrewcli
Member Posts: 328
From: La Jolla, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 09-22-2010 06:15 PM
I ordered mine on the 17th and it arrived today, #87. It's a beautiful patch!!Thanks Tim and Col. Cunningham. |
GACspaceguy
Member Posts: 2474
From: Guyton, GA
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 09-22-2010 07:28 PM
Mine came today! They look great! I ordered on the 12th it was quickly put in the mail on the 14th and then is must have been delivered by mule as it took 8 days to get from Texas to Georgia. I picked up three of them numbers 25 through 27 (right behind you Jonathan). I have one signed and two unsigned. I received three COAs as well but only the one COA that matched the signed patch was signed the other two were not. What a great gift to the collecting community! |
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