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Inspiring flown complete microfilm King James Bible, 1.5˝ x 1.5˝, identified as No. 14–037, carried to the lunar surface during the Apollo 14 mission on behalf of Reverend John M. Stout, Director of the Apollo Prayer League. The iconic ‘Lunar Bible’ represents the first Bible and the first complete scripture ever carried by man to the surface of another celestial world, landing on the moon on February 5, 1971, while stowed as part of Edgar Mitchell’s Personal Preference Kit (PPK) on the Apollo 14 LM ‘Antares.’ Printed as a ‘microform’ tablet—the only format possible for flight to the lunar surface—this complete Lunar Bible contains all 1,245 pages of the King James Version and represents one of the 100 microform Bibles that were carried in the Apollo 14 Lunar Module. The Lunar Bible is impressively set under archival glass within a golden reliquary garnished with a Brazilian garnet and cultured pearl, with upper and lower banners: “First Lunar Bible” and “Feb. 5, 1971, Apollo 14.” Housed in a hand-polished Crimson goatskin leather double-folding case. In fine condition.
Included with the Lunar Bible is a certificate of authenticity from the Apollo Prayer League, signed by LMP Edgar Mitchell and Rev. John Stout, which reads: “I certify that this Holy Bible listed in the official Apollo Prayer League Lunar Bible Registry…was flown by Astronaut Edgar D. Mitchell to the Surface of the Moon on February 5, 1971 on the Lunar Module Antares.” Included is a photo of Mitchell at the time of the certificate signing, accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Zarelli Space, and a glossy reprint of a photograph showing Mitchell presenting Stout with the flown Lunar Bibles after his return from the historic mission, with signatures inherent to original print.
Additional provenance related to the rich history of the Apollo 14 Lunar Bible is a copy of a four-page affidavit authorized by Stout, which documents the history of the Apollo Lunar Bible, his roles as the Founder and Director of the Apollo Prayer League, as a Senior Information Scientist at NASA and chaplain to the astronauts during the Apollo program. The documentation is housed within an embossed black leather presentation portfolio with a carrying bag.
A duplicate of this rare Lunar Bible was displayed at the Vatican in Rome and the National Cathedral, Washington, D.C. Others reside on permanent display at The Museum of the Bible, Washington, DC, the Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ, and the Dunham Bible Museum, Houston, TX.
