679 a
Eugene Cernan

Portrait of Harrison Schmitt in the LM Challenger after man’s last moonwalk

Apollo 17, December 7-19, 1972, post EVA 3, 173:19:58 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 AS17-134-20530” (NASA MSC) in red in top margin

679 b
Taken by the RCA TV Camera mounted on the Lunar Rover

The last liftoff from the Moon

Apollo 17, December 17-19, 1972, 188:01:39 GET

Three unpublished B&W TV stills from a color television transmission, vintage gelatin silver prints on fiber-based paper, each 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), stamped “RCA Astro-Electronics 72-12-536, 72-12-526 and 72-12-527” on the versos (NASA / RCA)
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 X 10in)

679 a
Reynolds, p.206.

679 b
Reynolds, p. 210.

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Lot Essay

679 a
Scientist-astronaut Harrison Schmitt, Lunar Module Pilot, displays several days of growth on his beard aboard the LM prior to its liftoff from the Moon’s surface (original NASA caption for AS17-
134-20530).

“The pictures speak for themselves. We were pretty happy, pretty tired, and pretty dirty. Look at the faces and you can see the sense of satisfaction. And look at how dirty...look at how filthy we are! And hot. I guarantee you that underwear was soaked,” remembered Eugene Cernan (from the ALSJ mission transcript at 172:37:07 GET).

173:19:58 Cernan: Okey-doke. Well, we’re all unsuited now, and we’re about ready to talk and eat at the same time, or listen and eat here at the same time. And it won’t be long and we’ll be ready to hit the sack.
173:20:09 Slayton (Mission Control): Okay; fine. Ken’s (Mattingly at Mission Control) trying to
negotiate the question sessions for you here.

679 b
Cernan and Schmitt spent 75 hours in the Taurus-Littrow mountainous region of the Moon, southeast of the Sea of Serenity. At 4:54 pm on Thursday, December 14, 1972, the LM Challenger ascent stage lifted off. The LM engine emitted no visible flame on the airless Moon as the last astronauts left the surface.

188:01:27 Schmitt: Ten seconds.
188:01:28 Cernan: ...10 seconds.
188:01:29 LM Crew: Abort Stage.
188:01:30 Cernan: ...pushed. Engine Arm is Ascent.
188:01:32 Schmitt: Okay. I’m going to get the Pro. (Pause) 99 Proceeded 3, 2, 1...
188:01:39 Schmitt: Ignition.
188:01:40 Cernan: We’re on our way, Houston!
188:01:43 Schmitt: Rates are good. AGS saw it (that is, the ignition). (Pause)
188:01:48 LM Crew: Pitchover!
188:01:51 Fullerton (Mission Control): Roger. You have good thrust.

“I thought about it when we left the surface... I knew it would be a long time. I just felt it might very well be a generation before we get back to the Moon. I’m probably going to be proven to be right.”
Eugene Cernan (Chaikin, Voices, p.191)