John Young

Portrait of Charles Duke at Plum Crater

Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972, EVA 1, 124:03:12 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 “AS16-114-18423” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

Hope, p. 26

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Lot Essay

A frame from the panoramic sequence taken by Young at station 1.

Duke watches his photographer in the superb scenery of Plum Crater, “raising his right hand to waist height in greeting” (from the ALSJ mission transcript at 124:03:12 GET).

The scoop previously planted by Duke to provide scale in pictures of the lunar surface is visible next to him.

The photograph shows “the beauty and stark bleakness of the lunar surface. With antenna pointed toward Earth, the Lunar Rover in the background beams a TV picture to vicarious explorers around the world. Duke stands near the rim of Plum Crater. The Hasselblad camera and documented sample bag hangs from the remote control unit on his chest. The Sample Collection Bag (SCB) hangs from the primary life support system on his back. The scoop is stuck into the lunar surface near his left hand. The reflection of the photographer can be seen in his visor” (NASA SP-315, p. 4.11).

124:03:01 Duke: John, you are just beautiful. That is the most beautiful sight.
124:03:07 Young: What’s that?
124:03:08 Duke: You standing there on the rim of that crater.
124:03:09 England (Mission Control): Doggone. I’ve never heard John described as beautiful. [...]
124:03:12 Duke: (To England) Well, he’s not really… Well, actually, he is on this thing; I’ll tell you.
124:03:21 Duke: (As he waves) Hi, there. (Pause)