Painted ceramic Snoopy figure made in honor of the Apollo 17 mission by Juanita Wiysel, the wife of NASA employee Ellis R. Wiysel, Jr., who served as a second shift pad leader for the Apollo 14, 15, 16, and 17 missions and for Skylab. The figure stands 7″ in height, features “Apollo 17” and “Crew” to the ears, and is signed and inscribed in black artist pencil or crayon, “To Ray, our thanks to you for a super effort, ‘The First Team,’ Gene Cernan,” “Jack Schmitt,” and “Ron Evans.” The figure is also signed by “R. Hatfield,” and on the underside by the artist,” Wiysel.” Included with the ceramic is a TLS signed ink and felt tip by the full Apollo 17 crew, “Gene Cernan,” “Ron Evans,” and “Jack Schmitt,” 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, September 29, 1972, addressed to E. R. Wiysel, Jr., in full: “Just a brief note to say thank you for the ceramic ‘Snoopy’ dog from you and the rest of the launch crew. It’s a very good likeness—your wife did an excellent job. We sincerely appreciate all the efforts of the North American launch crew personnel.” In overall fine condition, with a couple creases to the letter.
The connection between NASA and the Peanuts comic strip is well documented. The call signs for the Apollo 10 spacecraft were the names of characters Charlie Brown and Snoopy, the semi-official mascots of the famed 'dress rehearsal' Apollo mission, and Peanuts creator Charles Schulz also drew some mission-related artwork for NASA.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
(inquire for price)
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
