Remarkable flown patch carried on the Gemini 7 mission, with a handwritten letter from Lovell. The 3.75″ diameter patch features the mission insignia with crew names and "Gemini Seven" at the top, and is encased in a 5″ diameter acrylic cylinder along with an engraved plate reading, "This emblem carried on board Gemini VII space craft, Dec. 4/18, 1965, Col. Frank Borman, USAF, Capt. James Lovell, USN." The patch was presented to the math teacher of Lovell's son, and includes an ALS signed "James Lovell," one page, 7.25 x 10.5, April 24, 1967, in part: "We are very pleased that you took the time & patience to help our son Jay with his math. We are very proud of the progress he has made and have noticed that his attitude toward school has improved tremendously. You have made great progress in helping Jay build up his confidence & ability as a student. Please accept as a token of our appreciation a small memento from the flight of Gemini Seven." The letter is affixed to a slightly larger sheet. In fine condition, with minor creasing to the letter. The fourteen-day Gemini 7 mission doubled the length of time that anyone had been in space, and remained the longest American spaceflight until the Skylab missions of the 1970s—the insignia features an Olympic-inspired torch to symbolize the marathon-like nature of the mission. This unusual custom-made presentation is truly extraordinary, and the inclusion of Lovell's 1967 handwritten letter provides excellent provenance that heightens its desirability.
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