UPDATE: This lot is one of 16 in the current auction that comprise a complete suite of a medal, a patch, and a cover for each of John Young’s six space missions. Because select pieces within this collection are very rare, it took over seven years of determination and dedication to complete the project. The other 15 lots associated with this special collection are listed here.
Flown embroidered crew patches for the Apollo 16 and STS-1 missions, measuring 4" in diameter and 4 x 4.5 respectively, both are double-matted and mounted to a 12 x 16 cardstock display with affixed photo collage of John Young's NASA career and a presentation sheet signed and inscribed in black felt tip to "Eagle-Picher, Great Space Batteries, Keep Up the Good Work, John Young"; additionally, the sheet bears two typed captions certifying the flown status of both patches: "This Crew Patch was flown aboard Apollo 16, April 16-27, 1972" and "This Crew Patch was flown aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-1, April 12-14, 1981." In overall fine condition. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Zarelli Space Authentication.
One of the most accomplished astronauts, John Young flew in space six times. His two most important missions were arguably Apollo 16 and STS-1-the former being America's penultimate manned lunar landing, and the latter being the maiden voyage of the Space Shuttle. While Apollo 16 helped to close out a momentous generation of moon missions, STS-1 launched an era of important orbital flights which came to define the next three decades of the American space program. As flown patches from these two historic flights, this is an absolutely remarkable presentation piece.
