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One of 32 dual-certified Lunar Bible 50-page text fragments flown to the lunar surface on Apollo 14, presented in a modern Fabergé egg. The iconic ‘Lunar Bible’ represents the first Bible and the first complete scripture ever carried by man to another celestial world. Printed as a ‘microform’ tablet – the only format possible for flight to the lunar surface – a complete Lunar Bible contains all 1,245 pages of the King James Version. Initially, 512 of these microform Bibles were created and all flown on Apollo 13; some of these were distributed to dignitaries and notable persons following the successful return from the near-disastrous mission. A separate group of 300 Lunar Bibles was then given to Edgar Mitchell to carry on Apollo 14; of these, 200 stayed in orbit in the Command Module, and he brought 100 to the surface in the Lunar Module.
In an effort to maximize the number of potential recipients, Reverend John M. Stout segmented a small portion of the Bibles into 50-page and 2-page sizes following the mission. The accompanying 50-page section is one of 32 examples encased within a modern Fabergé egg and officially flight-certified by both Mitchell and James Stout, a representative of the former Apollo Prayer League Presentation Committee.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Mitchell and Stout, and a photographic info sheet, both of which are housed within a hand-stained Italian leather presentation portfolio. Also includes the original deluxe velvet Fabergé presentation box. This lot is of profound significance not only to the space community, but also to the religious, rare book, and Masonic communities—Mitchell was a Freemason and a member of Artesia Lodge No. 28 in New Mexico. Several of the 32 copies are already permanently off the market. Another 50-page example is on indefinite loan to the Atlanta Masonic Library and Museum, and more of these precious few Fabergé examples may become permanently institutionalized and unavailable to collectors in coming years.
