Humorous handmade 'gag' greeting card presented to moonwalker Charlie Duke by the Apollo 16 backup crew of Edgar Mitchell, Fred Haise, and Stuart A. Roosa, two pages on two adjoining cardstock sheets, 8.75 x 11, signed on the second page in blue ballpoint, "From my personal collection. Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 LMP," and in red and blue felt tip, "Freddo," "Stu," and "Ed." Accomplished in crayon and colored felt tip, the card front features a large insect-like germ holding a disease-filled syringe, with bold text below reading: "Stay Unwell Greetings, Pleeze hurry up and git 'unwell'! to take care of a few good deals we have set up for you." A speech bubble next to the large germ says, "A shot a day keeps the doc awake," and speech bubbles next to two smaller germs: "If you ain't got it—you'll likely get it!" and "Dats da spirit!" The inside of the card features a medical sheet from the practice of "Drs. Haise, Mitchell, Roosa, Flt. Crew Operation Wing, Professional Bldg., MSC," with "Patience" name listed as "'Typhoid Mary' Staunwell." The memo reads: "1. Re-run of CSD 11 Chamber run (followed by), 2. A flight in a open cockpit aircraft to run a saddle exercise on the flanks of 'Mona Kea,' 3. A neato hunting trip to the Antarctic for 'Polar Bears.' Rest assured, your friendly, considerate back-up crew is always looking out for our best interests." A postscript reads: "This card has been thoroughly doused with various evil germs and bacteria so be sure and check your shot record!" In fine condition.
Accompanied by a signed letter of authenticity from Duke, which reads, in part: "The accompanying card was given to me as a 'Gotcha' by Fred (Freddo) Haise, Stuart (Stu) Roosa and Edgar (Ed) Mitchell while they were working as backup crew for the flight of Apollo 16 to the Descartes Highlands on the Moon…The history of the card's message relates back to Apollo 13 and my involvement in the mission as a backup crewmember. I was exposed to the measles by a young boy and in working with the primary crew of Apollo 13; I inadvertently transmitted the disease to them. Ken Mattingly was withdrawn from the mission due to his lack of immunity to the measles. Due to the episode, I was given the moniker of 'Typhoid Mary.' Fred, Stu and Ed personally signed the card…This gag gift has remained a treasured part of my personal space collection for over thirty years, ever since Freddo, Stu & Ed presented it to me prior to my flight on Apollo 16 in 1972."
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