A grouping of three (3) framed collections of patches and stamps pertaining to the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 70s: 

1.) Framed collection of four (4) TOPPS Astronaut trading cards, featuring a 3D back image. 1963. Framed: 7 1/4 x 18 1/4 inch. Cards: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch. 

The TOPPS 1963 Astronaut Card Set was originally released as a 55-piece set of standard-sized 3D cards. Featuring images of NASA's astronauts in training and in flight, these cards are identifiable by the corresponding 3D image located on the reverse side of the card which display what mankind might experience once in space. The original set would have included a pair of 3D glasses to view the reverse-side images correctly. This particular set consists of cards: 

#2 Floating Astronauts

#22 Putting on a Space Helmet

#27 Grissom Gets Ready

#51 Astronaut Donald Slayton

These cards are an excellent relic from the beginning of space exploration in the United States. Though mere trading cards, they document the trainings and processes involved in the early days of American space exploration and the space race against the USSR. Blended with fantastical elements such as martians, they perfectly capture the intrigue and speculation that many Americans would have likely been feeling at the prospect of mankind entering into the unknown of outer space. 

2.) Framed collection of five (5) Apollo Mission patches, six (6) TOPPS Astronaut trading cards, and a related slip of paper which reads: "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind." Framed: 16 1/4 x 18 1/3 inch. Cards: 2 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch. Patches: approx. 3 x 3 inches. Slip: 10 x 2 1/4 inch.

To the top of the frame are the mission patches from:

Apollo XII: 12 November 1969, 3 x 3inch.

Apollo IX: 3-13 March 1969, 3 x 3inch.

Apollo VII: 11-22 October 1968, 3 1/2 x 2inch.

Apollo VIII: 21-27 December 1968, 3 x 3 1/2inch.

Apollo 11: 16-24 July 1969, 3 x3inch. 

Bisecting the frame is a slip of paper bearing the historic moon-landing phrase, spoken by Neil Armstrong (1930-2012) on 20 July 1969, as he became the first person to step foot on the moon: "One Small Step for Man, One Giant Leap for Mankind." Symbolizing the massive achievement of Apollo XI, the phrase would quickly stand to represent the space race and its massive achievements to come. 

In the lower portion of the frame are featured the collectable TOPPS astronaut trading cards from 1963. Included are cards:

#34 Space Hero

#10 Astronaut Alan Shepard

 #8 Takeoff Inspection

 #30 Grissom in Space

#49 Astronaut Carpenter

#52 Astronaut Gordon Cooper. 

3.)

Paul Calle (American 1928-2010) 

"The Conquest of Space"

Limited edition Moonwalk lithograph with stamps

Signed to right edge

Visible: 13 x 10 inch., framed to 21 1/4 x 18inch. 

An excellent print of Paul Calle's interpretation of Neil Armstrong dismounting from his spacecraft and taking the first steps upon the lunar surface, commemorating the 1969 Apollo XI moon landing. This print was released as a limited edition print run of about 15,000 copies in 1979, featuring postage stamps all relating to the mission and dated with the year 1969. Paul Calle's signature can be seen in the bottom right corner of the piece, which only appears in high-value versions of the release. 

Paul Calle (1928-2010) was an American artist who was best known for his designs of U.S. Postal stamps and documentation of the Gemini and Apollo missions for NASA. At the launch of the Apollo XI mission, Calle was hired by NASA to portray the astronauts, granting the artist firsthand exposure to the crew as they made their final preparations for the exploration, enhancing the sketches that would be used for later works. As a result, many fine pieces of Calle's work involving the moon-landing were created, including the 10-cent stamp which commemorated the momentous achievement. His work has since been displayed at the National Air and Space Museum, as well as the National Gallery of Art. 

Note: This lot cannot be packaged and shipped in-house. Successful bidders winning items marked as being packaged and shipped by a third-party service are responsible for paying the third party directly. We are happy to offer complimentary drop-off service to local third-party packing/shipping companies in Columbus, Ohio. 

[NASA, Space Exploration, Apollo Program] [Aviation, History of Flight, Airplanes, Aeronautics, Aeronautical Engineering, Aerospace]