371 a
Michael Collins

Eagle returning from the Moon’s surface and the Earth emerging over the lunar horizon

Apollo 11, July 16-24, 1969, orbit 27, 127:51:36 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 AS11-44-6632” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin

371 b
Michael Collins

The LM Eagle returning from the Moon, Earthrise in background

Apollo 11, July 16-24, 1969, orbit 27, 127:52:05 GET

Unreleased photograph, 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 AS11-44-6641” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

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Lot Essay

371 a
Collins aboard the CM Columbia photographed the return of the LM from the Moon’s surface in a fantastic series of photographs taken over Smyth’s Sea through the 80mm lens.

127:51:29 Armstrong: I’ll be looking into his left window when I pitch up.
127:51:32 Aldrin: I don’t think so. If you did it right now you’d...
127:51:36 Collins: I got the Earth coming up already. It’s fantastic!

371 b
After 21 hours on the surface, the LM Eagle rose to join pilot Michael Collins in the orbiting CM Columbia.

As explained by Neil Armstrong, “this picture captures the essence of the Apollo project, two celestial bodies connected by a human transportation system composed of two very different vehicles. Taken through the window of the Command Module which has the ability to return through the Earth’s atmosphere at very high speeds, this photograph features the ascent stage of the Lunar Module, the only craft to be able to convey crewmen from lunar orbit to the surface
of the Moon and return them to orbit around the Moon. As the LM was unable to return through the Earth’s atmosphere, it was required to rendezvous and dock with the Command Module, where the crew could transfer for the return to their Home Planet” (Jacobs, p. 65).

127:51:40 Public Affairs Officer (Mission Control): Have LM AOS (Acquisition of Signal).
127:51:42 Armstrong: Okay. You’ve got me.
127:52:00 Evans (Mission Control): Eagle and Columbia, Houston. Standing by.
127:52:05 Armstrong: Roger. We’re station-keeping.