A British collectibles company is selling a flight suit worn during the triumphant Apollo XI mission to the Moon.
Michael Collins piloted the Colombia command module that orbited around the Moon as his colleagues Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong landed in Eagle and made that one giant leap.
Paul Fraser, Chairman of Paul Fraser Collectibles, who are selling the suit, explains.
“Almost all of these suits are now owned by museums and public institutions,” he said. “Only a small number remain available to private collectors.
“Collins is one of the most famous names of the 20th century, and the legacy of the Apollo 11 crew will stand for centuries.
“That’s why their memorabilia is the pinnacle of space and aviation collecting.”
Patches on the suit help to date it to the Apollo period. Image courtesy of Paul Fraser Collectibles.
The suit was worn by Collins after the trio returned to Earth, possibly as they underwent a long quarantine, or on dates on a world tour that took in 22 countries.
Everyone on the planet wanted to see these men.
Paul Fraser Collectibles say period details on the flight suit date it to 1969. And it was subsequently owned by a man who played a vital role in the US Space programme: Joe Garino.
Garino was Director of Astronaut Physical Conditioning at NASA.
In a letter that comes with the suit, Garino writes: “Blue NASA Flight suit worn by Michael Collins after his recovery from the Apollo XI mission.
Mr Fraser says the market for space memorabilia is buoyant: a 750% increase in value of Apollo XI-crew autographs this century.
Suits associated with Neil Armstrong have risen in value by around 50% in just seven years.
He says: “These prices are being driven by the rapidly growing number of private museums, all competing for the finest display pieces.”
The rise of a new era of private space companies with their sites on more Moon exploration and even Mars is bringing a new focus to the pioneers of the furthest reaches of human exploration.
The Michael Collins NASA flight suit is for sale now at the Paul Fraser Collectibles website for £39,950.
