During a training exercise in the Apollo 1 command module on January 27, 1967, a flash fire, later determined to be caused by exposed wiring in the highly pressurized, oxygen-saturated environment, engulfed the capsule. Within minutes, all three crew members, unable to escape from the tightly sealed capsule, had perished in the most deadly American space-related accident until the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger nearly two decades later. Rare Apollo 1 North American Aviation Inc. color concept print titled NASA Apollo Spacecraft—Re-entry, depicting a capsule streaking through the atmosphere against the backdrop of the moon, signed in black and red felt tip by primary crew members: Commander Gus Grissom, Lunar Excursion Module pilot Edward H. White, and Command Module Pilot Roger B. Chaffee, The print has also been signed by all three members of the original Apollo 1 back-up crew: Commander James A. McDivitt, Command Module Pilot Dave Scott, and Lunar Excursion Module Pilot Rusty Schweickart. Due to unforeseen logistical and crew requirements, and the ensuing tragedy, the original back-up crew was moved to be the primary crew of Apollo 9. A few faint marginal creases, and a subtle hint of toning and soiling to edges, otherwise fine condition. Of rare historic significance, this early print represents a possibly one-of-a-kind souvenir of the first American space tragedy. JSA/Scott Cornish Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
