Sold For $27,919
*Includes Buyers Premium
An absolutely amazing and one-of-a-kind item from the first man on the moon: personal check, 6 x 2.75, filled out and signed in-full (including his rarely-seen middle initial), “Neil A. Armstrong,” payable for $10.50 to NASA official Harold Collins on the day of the Apollo 11 launch, July 16, 1969. The story goes that Armstrong had previously borrowed $10.50 from Collins, then repaid the loan to him on launch day to make sure his debts were settled should anything happen during the mission. When presenting the check to Collins, Armstrong told him, “Here’s a check for the loan…but don’t cash it because I will be coming back.”
Harold (Hal) Collins began his NASA career as Contracting Officer during the Mercury program and went on to serve as Chief of the Mission Support Office at the Kennedy Space Center, retiring in 1973. His participation was integral to the U. S. space program and he worked closely with, and came to know, all of the astronauts.
Attractively suede matted and framed, with a typed caption and a color portrait of Armstrong preparing for the Apollo 11 mission, to an overall size of 21 x 14. In very fine condition, with a central vertical fold.
The significance and collector appeal of this item cannot be overstated. This is the only Armstrong Apollo-era check we have seen, and one of a handful of items signed in-full that have ever been offered for sale. But the fact that the check was also filled out on the morning of the launch of an event considered to be one of Man’s greatest accomplishments elevates this prized item to a level of important historical significance seldom seen! Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RRAuction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
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