501 a
James Irwin

Close-up of the LM (still attached to the Saturn Rocket SIVB third stage) during docking with the Command Module

Apollo 15, July 26 - August 7, 1971, 003:30:56 GET

Unreleased photograph, vintage chromogenic print on fiber-based Kodak paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm
(8 x 10in), with “A Kodak Paper” watermark on the verso, numbered “NASA AS15-91-12338” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin

501 b
James Irwin, David Scott, or Alfred Worden

The Saturn Rocket SIVB third stage after ejection from the LM docked with the CSM

Apollo 15, July 26 - August 7, 1971, 004:29:41 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 AS15-91-12341” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin

501 c
Alfred Worden, David Scott, or James Irwin

The planet Earth

Apollo 15, July 26 - August 7, 1971, 004:45:00 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 AS15-91-12343” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm

501 c
Chaikin, Voices, p. 28.

This lot will be removed to Christie’s Park Royal. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. Our removal and storage of the lot is subject to the terms and conditions of storage which can be found at Christies.com/storage and our fees for storage are set out in the table below - these will apply whether the lot remains with Christie’s or is removed elsewhere. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Christie’s Park Royal. All collections from Christie’s Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s it will be available for collection on any working day 9.00 am to 5.00 pm. Lots are not available for collection at weekends.
Please note this lot is the property of a consumer. See H1 of the Conditions of Sale.

Conditions of Sale
FAQs
This lot is offered by Christie Manson & Woods Ltd

Brought to you by

Lot Essay

501 a
The LM rendezvous window is clearly visible. Part of the SIVB third stage of the Saturn V rocket is visible in the background.

003:29:39 Irwin : How many pictures. [...]
003:29:54 Scott: Six on your camera would be right where you’d want it.
003:29:56 Irwin: Okay.
003:30:35 Scott: Okay. I would say we were - what, Jim? 20 feet? 15? 10?
003:30:40 Irwin: I have 15 feet on the camera.
003:30:46 Irwin: Did we forget anything on that checklist, Dave?
003:30:54 Worden: Okay. We’re sliding in there, David.
003:30:56 Scott: Okay. I think we’re about a couple feet away.

501 b
After the successful docking maneuver and extraction of the LM, the SIVB third stage was targeted for a crash landing on the Moon. The compartment in the SIVB formerly occupied by the LM is visible beyond the LM thrusters.

004:29:41 Scott: Okay, Houston; 15. We have the SIVB in sight, and it looks like it’s probably about - oh 7 or 8 hundred feet away.

501 c
The spacecraft was approximately 30,000 kilometers from Earth when the crew took this superb photograph with the 80mm lens. South America and Africa are clearly visible.

“To me, it’s crystalline. Crystalline being it has depth. I like to draw the analogy with someone who has deep blue eyes...,” said David Scott. “The Earth is deep blue. And especially when you get out a little ways, not too far away, and you can look back at it, it’s deep blue. It’s got a three-dimensional feel to it. A depth... And it’s really beautiful...” (Chaikin, Voices, p. 26).

From the mission transcript about two hours after the photograph was taken:

006:44:21 Scott: We’ve been taking turns looking at the Earth through the telescope. It’s a fantastic sight.
006:44:28 Fullerton (Mission Control): Rog, Dave.
006:44:45 Scott: As a matter of fact, this sure would be a neat place for a space station out here.