One of 32 dual-certified Lunar Bible 50-page text fragments, carried around the moon on Apollo 13 and brought to the lunar surface on Apollo 14, presented in a modern Faberge egg. The iconic ‘Lunar Bible’ represents the first Bible, the first complete scripture, and the first true book ever carried by man to another celestial world. Printed as a ‘microform’ tablet—the only format possible for flight to the lunar surface—a complete Lunar Bible contains all 1,245 pages of the King James Version. Initially, 512 of these microform Bibles were created and all flown on Apollo 13; some of these were distributed to dignitaries and notable persons following the successful return from the near-disastrous mission. A total of 300 of the Apollo 13-flown Bibles were then given to Edgar Mitchell to carry on Apollo 14; of these, 200 stayed in orbit in the Command Module, and he brought 100 to the surface in the Lunar Module.
In an effort to maximize the number of potential recipients, Reverend John M. Stout segmented a small portion of the bibles into 50-page and 2-page sizes following the mission. The accompanying 50-page section is one of 32 examples encased within a modern Faberge egg and officially flight-certified by both Mitchell and Reverend Stout, a representative of the former ‘Apollo Prayer League Governing Committee’ during the ‘Lunar Bible Certification Project’ of 2000 and 2001.
Accompanied by a certificate of authenticity signed by Mitchell and Stout, and a photographic info sheet, both of which are housed within a hand-stained Italian leather presentation portfolio. Also includes the original deluxe velvet Faberge presentation box, with inner lid signed in black felt tip by Mitchell and Stout. This lot is of profound significance not only to the space community as a twice-flown and once-landed lunar artifact, but also to the religious, rare book, and Masonic communities—Mitchell was a freemason and a member of Artesia Lodge No. 28 in New Mexico. Several of the 32 copies are already permanently off the market; the State of Georgia acquired an example for their rare-book holdings, and two more reside in the personal collections of Mitchell's family and Stout. Another 50-page example is on indefinite loan to the Atlanta Masonic Library and Museum, and more of these precious few Faberge examples may become permanently institutionalized and unavailable to collectors in coming years. You may read ‘The Story of the First Lunar Bible’ at www.LunarBible.com.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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