76 a
James McDivitt

First US spacewalk, Ed White’s EVA over the Gulf of Mexico

Gemini IV, June 3-7, 1965, orbit 3, 004:42:28 GET

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with RCA Quality Control stamp (NASA KSC) and “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso [NASA S-65-30429]

76 b
James McDivitt

First US spacewalk, Ed White photographing the spacecraft during his EVA over the Gulf of Mexico

Gemini IV, June 3-7, 1965, orbit 3, 004:44:41 GET

Vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermarks on the verso, numbered “NASA S-65-30432” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

76 a
Schick and Van Haaften, cover and p. 35; Chaikin, Space, p. 59; Light, plate 13.

76 b
Hope, p. 52; Reynolds, p. 50.

76 a
Copenhagen, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, Oslo, Henie Onstad Kunstsenter, The Moon: From Inner Worlds to Outer Space, September 2018-January 2019 and February-May 2019; exhibition catalogue, p. 100, no. 89, illustrated.

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Lot Essay

76 a
In the reflection of Ed White’s visor, the black sky of space and the spacecraft’s window through which McDivitt took the photograph are visible.

From the mission transcript during the EVA:

004:42:19 McDivitt: Ed, smile.
004:42:26 White: I’m looking right down your gun barrel. All.
004:42:28 McDivitt: Let me take a closeup picture of you.
004:42:30 White: Okay. Just a minute.
004:42:31 McDivitt: You smeared up my windshield, you dirty dog!
004:42:34 White: Did I really?
004:42:35 McDivitt: Yes.
004:42:37 White: Well, hand me out a kleenex and I’ll clean it.
004:42:40 McDivitt: Ha! See how it’s all smeared up there?
004:42:44 White: Yes.
004:42:45 McDivitt: It looks like there is a coating on the outside and you’ve rubbed it off.

76 b
Photographed by McDivitt from inside the spacecraft, Ed white was himself taking a picture of the Gemini capsule with a Zeiss Contarex 35mm camera.

“I took most of these photographs without being able to see what I was shooting at,” stated McDivitt. “The Gemini spacecraft was quite small, and I have a very tall sitting height. My head was against the canopy when I wasn’t pressurized, and when I was pressurized I was really crunched up in there and I couldn’t move around much. So I’d take the camera down and look to see where Ed was, and then put the camera up, point in that direction and take the picture. I’m a good pistol and rifle shot. Maybe that helped” (Schick and Van Haaften, p. 33).

004:44:02 White: I’m trying to get some pictures. I’m right above my hatch now.
004:44 08: McDivitt: Okay.
004:44:15 Capcom (Mission Control):Gemini 4, Houston.
004:44:16 White: Yes, sir. If I had about another couple of bottles (for the self-maneuvering unit), Jim .....
004:44:20 McDivitt: That would really be it, huh?
004:44:22 White: Yes. I’m still not satisfied with the pictures I’m getting. I’ve only gotten about three or four.
004:44:24 Capcom: Gemini 4, Houston.
004:44:33 McDivitt: Is that right? I’ve taken a lot but, they’re not very good. You’re in too close.
004:44:40 White: Okay.
004:44:41 McDivitt: I finally put the focus down to about 8 feet or so. Oh yes, that’s great, the clouds on water behind you.