Limited edition display featuring one of Dave Scott's flown 2.75 x 1.75 Beta cloth American flags, carried to the lunar surface during the Apollo 15 mission, numbered 7/10 (this is number 7 of only 10 in existence), archivally matted and framed to an overall size of 13.75 x 16.75; also framed as part of the display is an original Apollo 15 insignia patch from Scott's personal collection; a satin-finish 6 x 4 photo of Scott performing an EVA, signed in blue felt tip, "Dave Scott, Apollo 15 CDR"; and two engraved plates, with upper plate certifying the flag's flown status: "This flag was carried on the lunar surface for 3 days during Apollo 15, July 26-Aug 7, 1971." In very fine condition.
Accompanied by a detailed letter of provenance signed by Scott, also numbered 7/10, in part: "I hereby certify that the small beta-cloth US flag…presented in this display was carried inside a beta-cloth package mounted on an internal structural bracket of an Apollo 15 Oxygen Purge System (OPS) for three days of EVA excursions during Apollo 15…Several weeks after Apollo 15, this OPS Bracket and package were shown to me by NASA senior management. According to management, a member of the JSC Crew Systems Division (CSD) had prepared the flags and secretly stowed them in the beta cloth package on a structural Support Bracket inside the OPS. This was apparently unknown to anybody else until the OPS was disassembled after the mission by some other member of the CSD and the flag package was discovered…At the management meeting, I was given the OPS Bracket and package of flags…This small OPS flag and the original Apollo 15 patch have been in my personal collection since we returned from the Moon."
In addition to its coveted lunar flown status, this small beta flag exists as one of the uncommon 'hidden' items deriving from the storied Apollo program. Although engineers or technicians were known to furtively stash souvenir items in the spacecraft or flight equipment prior to launch, lunar flown examples remain exceedingly rare. As a limited edition display prepared with items from Commander Dave Scott's personal collection, this is a truly remarkable piece.
