Extraordinary flown flag presentation from the Apollo 15 crew to moonwalking predecessor Edgar Mitchell, featuring a 2.5˝ x 1.5˝ Beta cloth American flag carried on the lunar surface, affixed to a 13˝ x 16.5˝ mount along with a rare embroidered Apollo 15 'Silver XV' crew patch and photo, signed and inscribed on the mount in black felt tip: "To Ed Mitchell with warmest personal regards and sincere appreciation for your talented and professional control during our landing and launch from Hadley Base of the heaviest lunar load. 4 Dec. Apollo Year 3, Jim Irwin," "Dave Scott," and "Al Worden." A caption affixed below the flag reads: "This flag was carried on the lunar surface throughout the geological exploration of the Hadley-Apennine, Apollo 15, July 26–August 7, 1971." Matted and framed to an overall size of 19 x 22.75. In fine condition.
Small Beta cloth flags of the United States were carried on the lunar surface for three days of EVA excursions during the Apollo 15 mission, housed inside a Beta cloth package mounted on an internal structural bracket of an Apollo 15 Oxygen Purge System (OPS). Describing these flags, Apollo 15 CDR Dave Scott reflects: 'During the Apollo era, it was not unusual for engineers or technicians to secretly hide souvenir items in some part of the spacecraft or flight equipment before launch to be recovered after the mission when the spacecraft was returned to NASA or the contractor. One instance of this occurred on Apollo 15. Several weeks after Apollo 15, this OPS Bracket and Flag 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. Both were then delivered to management for disposition. At the management meeting, I was given the OPS bracket and package of flags. I presented some of the flags to people who had made significant contributions to Apollo.'
Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Karlyn Mitchell, the daughter of Edgar Mitchell.
