Dave Scott's lunar flown beta cloth American flag carried on the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 mission, 2.5 x 1.5, neatly mounted to an off-white 13.5 x 17 cardstock display bearing an affixed Apollo 15 mission patch, photo of Scott saluting the flag on the lunar surface, and a plate certifying flown status: "This flag was carried on the lunar surface throughout the geological exploration of the Hadley-Apennine, Apollo 15 July 26-August 7, 1971." The display mount is also signed in black felt tip by Scott. In fine condition, with some spots of light toning. Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Scott, in part: "I hereby certify that the small beta-cloth US flag…included with this letter and mounted with the attached photo and certification was carried inside a beta-cloth package attached to an internal structural bracket of an Apollo 15 Oxygen Purge System (OPS) for three days of EVA excursions during Apollo 15…Several weeks after Apollo 15, this OPS Bracket and package containing this small beta-cloth US flag were shown to me by NASA senior management…According to management, a member of the JSC Crew Systems Division (CSD) had prepared the flags and secretly stowed them in the beta cloth package on a structural Support Bracket inside the OPS. This was apparently unknown to anybody else until the OPS was disassembled after the mission by some other member of the CSD and the flag package was discovered…At the management meeting, I was given the OPS Bracket and Package and a small number of flags…This small beta-cloth flag has been in [my] personal collection since presented to me by senior management after the mission." In addition to its coveted lunar flown status, this small beta flag exists as one of the uncommon 'hidden' items deriving from the storied Apollo program. Although engineers or technicians were known to furtively stash souvenir items in the spacecraft or flight equipment prior to launch, lunar flown examples remain exceedingly rare, with this example all the more desirable given that it originates from the personal collection of the mission commander.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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