Unique original TDK cassette tape recorded in December 1968 by Lewis A. Hartzell, chef to the astronauts during the Gemini and Apollo programs, containing greetings from various astronauts to Hartzell's son and mother. The tape opens with a somewhat difficult to hear conversation between Hartzell and Neil Armstrong, in which Hartzell says asks Neil when he will be flying. Neil answers to the effect of, "If we can get Frank Borman sick I'll go next week," as he was the backup commander for Apollo 8, which launched on December 21, 1968. Interestingly, Borman did get sick during the flight. When asked again when he will be flying, Armstrong says that the astronauts can only have one assignment at a time, but he hoped to fly in the near future. Armstrong's message is followed by clearer greetings from other Apollo astronauts—Bill Anders, Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, Jim McDivitt, Richard Gordon, and Rusty Schweickart—generally offering wishes for a merry Christmas and happy New Year, and complimenting Hartzell's cooking. The tape closes with a recording of the Apollo 8 moon shot as it was being heard inside NASA headquarters at Cape Canaveral, including radio transmissions and comments from people inside the building. In fine condition. Accompanied by a modern duplicate of the cassette, so that it may be played without wearing out the original.
