Amazing and incredibly rare backpack strap from Conrad’s PLSS (Personal Life Support System), used on the lunar surface during both of his moonwalks during the Apollo 12 mission. Strap measures 29″ in overall length, with a long adjustable strap and metal clip to lower end, numbered B543 V723617-20, with a Beta cloth covered hook and ring assembly at the top. Cloth section also has a sewn on loop and sub-strap to lower portion of cloth, as well as a snap-on cover protecting the lower assembly. A 2″ x 1″ label is sewn to the end with “C. C.—R,” (Charles Conrad—Right) printed in the center. Front of the strap is signed in black felt tip, “Backpack strap, #1 of 2, worn on the lunar surface by me; Nov. 19-20, 1969. Charles Conrad, Cdr. Apollo XII.” In fine condition.
Accompanied by a 1999 letter of authenticity from Conrad, which reads, in part: “I certify that the accompanying Backpack strap…bearing the stenciled letters C. C.—R…was worn during both my moonwalks on the Ocean of Storms…These straps were individually fitted to each astronaut, and designed for one-time use only due to their customization, for later discard with our backpacks on the Moon. We were allowed to keep, and return, a few personal mementos from the Moon as keepsakes, and I included these disposable straps among mine. After this strap’s release from quarantine, and return to me by NASA, it remained a treasured part of my personal space collection until 1992…Today, it remains among the largest, and finest, fully-documented tools in private hands ever used by Man on the surface of another world!” Also accompanied by two photos of Conrad with the strap and letter. Any artifact from an Apollo EVA is incredibly rare and highly sought after by collectors, and represent the pinnacle of space collecting. Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$35.00
*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.
