Apollo 17 Lunar Rover ‘Bearing Chart’ Map, 10.25 x 8, used on the lunar surface and carried on board the lunar rover. This map was for use in an emergency should the astronauts have to abandon their rover and walk back to the lunar module. Signed on the reverse in black felt tip, “This map was used aboard the Apollo XVII Lunar Rover. Gene Cernan, Apollo XVII-CDR.” Three separated punch holes to top edge, as well as some mild vertical rippling, otherwise fine condition. Accompanied by a 2010 letter of certification signed by Cernan, explaining the purpose and provenance of the chart. Letter reads, in part: “While on the Moon, Jack and I drove a lunar rover during our exploration of Taurus-Littrow. We had a series of maps specifically intended for use in conjunction with our lunar rover to navigate across the valley’s surface. The maps were contained in the book ‘LM Lunar Surface Maps,’ which was carried in the rover on the lunar surface. This ‘Bearing Chart’ map, containing traces of lunar dust, was for use in the event of a malfunction that required us to walk back to the Lunar Module. The map plate shows the entire landing site surrounded by compass bearings.…The map allowed us to determine where we were in relation to the lunar module at all times. This lunar rover map spent 22 hours and 3 minutes on the lunar surface and was exposed to the temperature extremes, radiation and Solar Wind within the vacuum of deep space…This lunar rover map is one of the few object [sic] actually used directly on the Moon’s surface and is also a rare example of an astronaut flight-certified artifact returned from the lunar surface.” Also accompanied by a photo of Cernan holding the chart after signing. A highly-important space relic directly from the lunar surface, which potentially could have proved the difference between life and death for Cernan and Jack Schmitt. Pre-certified Scott Cornish and RRAuction COA.
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