First U.S. spacewalk; Ed White floating in space over south California

Gemini IV, June 3-7, 1965, orbit 3, 004:39:00 GET

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper with red NASA MSC number “S-65-30430” and “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso.
27.7 x 35.5cm (11 x 14in)

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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This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd

Brought to you by

James HyslopHead of Department, Science & Natural History

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jhyslop@christies.com +44 (0) 20 7752 3205

Lot Essay

Tethered by a looping, golden umbilical cord, Ed White moved freely 100 miles above Earth for 21 minutes. Using the guidance gun in his right hand, he maneuvered at will until its compressed oxygen ran out. He thus became the world’s first propelled space man.

Though orbiting at 17,500 miles an hour, the space walker “had little sensation of speed and no sensation of falling, only a feeling of accomplishment” (National Geographic, September 1965, p. 440).

Completely entranced by the experience, he resisted repeated calls from Houston to get back to the spacecraft.