Wally Schirra’s special edition black-bodied 501 CM series Hasselblad camera with an A12 back, a PME 45 prism finder, and a Carl Zeiss Planar 2.8/80 T* lens with serial code “8899060.” Left side of camera body bears an affixed dedication plate, “Hand Crafted For Astronaut Wally Schirra.” Includes the original carrying strap. In fine condition. Victor Hasselblad gifted these specially made commemorative cameras to several of the astronauts who used his camera in outer space. This example, presented to the very astronaut who helped introduce the world at large to the Hasselblad brand, exists as an uncommon, highly appealing piece of astrophotographic history. The Leon Ford Collection.
