Top Picks from Space History

Our current Space History auction features an exciting array of NASA photographs, hardware, items flown on Apollo missions, and much more. Here, Senior Specialist Adam Stackhouse shares his top lots from the sale, currently live for online bidding until 18 July.

Lot 123

Apollo XI Anniversary Omega Speedmaster Worn on Two Spacewalks on Soyuz TM-9

Cosmonaut Anatoly Solovyev wore this Omega Speedmaster on the Soyuz TM-9 mission to the Space Station Mir from 11 February - 9 August 1990, and used it on two spacewalks.

When it comes to watches, scratches on the crystal dial would usually negatively impact value. However, in this example, the scratches tell a unique story: they were the result of an emergency brute-force repair of the Mir airlock hatch that could have doomed the mission.

Lot 63

Apollo 11: Lunar Surface-Flown Guidance & Navigation Sheet

This sheet from the Lunar Module Primary Guidance & Navigation Dictionary was used by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to determine the exact landing point of the Lunar Module "Eagle" and become the first humans to land on the Moon. Aldrin, in the accompanying letter, considers this "one of the most significant pages from the entire dictionary."

Stay updated with our auctions. Sign up to receive your weekly newsletter of global auctions, stories and more. Subscribe now

Lot 41

Wally Schirra's Pilot Sunglasses

Wally Schirra wore these military-issue sunglasses while training for his Gemini VI-A and Apollo 7 missions. Schirra was a pilot’s pilot, known for his love of speed, both in the air and on land. This passion is clear in the accompanying photograph of him behind the wheel of his blue Corvette wearing these shades.

Lot 173

Apollo 11 "Red Number" Photograph of Buzz Aldrin at Tranquility Base

The Apollo 11 "Visor Shot" is one of many stellar photographs in the Vintage Space Photography section of the auction.

The iconic photograph is the most famous image from the first Moon landing, and represented one of the greatest human achievements when it appeared on the cover of the 8 August 1969 issue of Life Magazine. Buzz Aldrin stands on the lunar surface clad in his spacesuit, his visor reflecting Neil Armstrong and the Lunar Module that brought them there.

Lot 30

Project Gemini Rocketdyne SE-6 Rocket Engine on Contractor's Display

The SE-6 rocket engine was part of the Gemini spacecraft’s Re-Entry Control System (RCS). The RCS, which was generally used to reposition the capsule for re-entry from Earth orbit, came in particularly handy during Gemini VIII when Neil Armstrong, cool and quick-thinking under pressure, avoided catastrophe by using it to stop the tumbling spacecraft that had a malfunctioning Orbital Attitude Maneuvering System thruster.

Lot 108

Apollo 16 Flown Flag Presented to Deke Slayton's Secretary

This United States flag accompanied the Apollo 16 crew on the penultimate crewed journey to the Moon, and was presented to Marilyn Bockting who was, at the time, Administrative Assistant to the Director of Flight Crew Operations Deke Slayton.

Bockting had a long career at NASA and assisted some of the top officials including Deputy Director James C. Elms and Apollo Program Manager George Low. This is one of 17 lots in the auction from her collection.

Register to bid in Space History Online

Browse all lots in our sale, which features mission-flown objects, space photographs, and more. Bidding is open until 18 July.

For the latest news and auction highlights, follow @bonhamsbooks on Instagram