A picture signed by all the 12 astronauts who have walked on the Moon is just one of the star attractions in a special auction being held next month in Frome by Cooper and Tanner.
The auction, entitled ‘NASA, the space race and other related items’, is on Wednesday 5th June at the Agricultural Centre in Standerwick and promises to attract enthusiasts and collectors from far and wide.
The auction boasts a rare collection of signed memorabilia by astronauts who took part in many of the Apollo missions into space, including the man who landed on the moon and the ‘unlucky 13’ mission.
Other items include a book by Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon; a framed selection of other Apollo insignias; first day covers signed by Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space; and a signed picture of Ed White taking part in a spacewalk.
Ed was the first American to take part in a spacewalk on his mission in Gemini 4 but unfortunately died aged 36 during a fire at Cape Kennedy where he was taking part in testing of Apollo 1 with fellow astronauts Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee; all three perished in the spacecraft.
“We are extremely excited to have this space sale,” said Vanessa Perry, Cooper and Tanner’s sale rooms manager. “It will include a very rare collection of signed pictures by Alan Bean, the fourth astronaut to walk on the moon. One of the signed pictures has the cast members from the Apollo 13 film: Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, Bill Paxton and Gary Sinise as well as Ron Howard, who directed the film.
“Not only is there also an amazing collection of paintings but there is also a large selection of first-day covers, signed pictures and many other items related to this fascinating time in American history.
“We also have some signed prints from Chesley Bonestell, the American painter and illustrator, whose paintings inspired the American space programme and which started a discussion about whether space flight was feasible or just an adventurous dream.
“If you love space, this sale is one to come and view. We are open for viewing on Monday 3rd June, 9am until 6pm, and Tuesday 4th June from 9am until 5pm with the sale itself on Wednesday 5th at 3.30pm”
On the same day, 5th June, Cooper and Tanner will be holding a separate auction of antiques and collectables. It will feature over 700 items which will include jewellery, silver and a selection of mid-century furniture
“We will also have lots of 1960s clothing and fabric, a Bath Spa “Beckford” whisky enamel sign, some beautiful framed samplers and a fabulous framed collection of Frank Hampson’s original artwork from Dan Dare and Eagle Comics,” added Vanessa.
“We are also having a coin valuation day on Thursday 20th June, for a sale we have taking place later this year, so if you have anything you would like to be valued, then please call the office on 01373 852419 to book an appointment.”
The sales are taking place at the Agricultural Centre in Standerwick, BA11 2QB.
