Edgar Mitchell

Alan Shepard and the American flag

Apollo 14, January 31-February 9, 1971, EVA 1, 114:44:39 GET

Later photograph with “Kodak Professional, Paper, Papier, Papel” watermarks on the verso.
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

This lot has been imported from outside of the UK for sale and placed under the Temporary Admission regime. Import VAT is payable at 5% on the hammer price. VAT at 20% will be added to the buyer’s premium but will not be shown separately on our invoice.
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Lot Essay

Stripes on Commander Shepard’s helmet and on his arms and legs help distinguish him from Mitchell, who has no stripes. Shepard “steadies the flagpole. The partial shadow to the right is cast by the erectable S-band antenna; the shadow of the LM extends along the left” (NASA SP-272, p. 15).

114:43:55 Shepard: Okay. (To Mitchell) Take a picture this way (facing the 16-mm camera) and then we’ll swing it (the US flag) around so they can see it in the television.
114:44:01 Mitchell: All right.
114:44:02 McCandless (Mission Control): Okay we can see it...
114:44:03 Shepard: Okay, let me turn it around a little (garbled) here. (Long Pause) Okay. (Pause) There we go. (Pause)
114:44:39 Mitchell: I think I’m still too close to you, Al.
114:44:42 Shepard: Look out for the LM leg.
114:44:45 Mitchell: Yeah. (Pause)
114:44:50 Shepard: Okay. And when you’re finished (having his picture taken), you can flop it around so they can see it a little better on the TV.