Apollo 17 recovery cover with a stamped cachet honoring the US Navy's Pacific Recovery Force, postmarked on the USS Ticonderoga recovery ship on December 19, 1972, neatly signed in felt tip by the crew, "Gene Cernan," "H. H. Schmitt," and "Ron Evans." The reverse bears a custom screen-printed Bil Keane Family Circus cartoon lamenting Apollo 17 as the last flight of the Apollo program. In fine condition.
Consignor notes that this originates from the collection of Kevin Steen, a cancer-stricken boy who was a special guest at two Apollo liftoffs and was invited onboard the USS Ticonderoga recovery ship for Apollo 17 as a guest of Rear Admiral John L. Butts. Accompanied by an unsigned Apollo 17 launch day cover addressed to Steen, photocopies of 1972 newspaper articles about Steen documenting his unique involvement in the Apollo program, a print of an image of him chatting with Schmitt during dinner on the Ticonderoga, and a contemporary letter from Steen explaining the cover's unique artwork: "The 'Family Circus' and Mr. Bil Keane, helped me with my 'Splash Down' cover for Apollo 17. Mr. Keane is a friend of mine and a local resident…I silk-screen printed this envelope during my summer vacation. It has been fun sending this to you and hope you like the humor of the 'Family Circus' kids. I am still on a program of chemotherapy, but doing well. The doctors seem surprised, but I know that God wants me to live, and I thank Him for doctors and friends who care. Please write when you can. (I'm in the 7th grade now)."
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