Taken by a Camera Aboard the Lunar Orbiter 5 Spacecraft

Description:

Taken by a Camera Aboard the Lunar Orbiter 5 Spacecraft
The first photograph of the nearly full Earth from Moon orbit, Lunar Orbiter 5, August 1967. NASA HQ caption on the verso. Vintage gelatin silver print, image size 9 1/4 x 7 5/8 in. (23.3 x 19.2 cm),unmatted.
Condition: Minor handling creases.

N.B. As most Americans slept in the pre-dawn hours of August 8, 1967, NASA's Lunar Orbiter 5 spacecraft trained its telephoto lens on the sunlit side of the Earth and made this first photograph of the nearly full planet from 214,806 miles away. Lunar Orbiter 5 was about 3,640 miles above the surface of the Moon (NASA caption). 'To the philosopher, this picture is close to man's soul, since it allows him to look back upon his own world,' observed Lunar Orbiter program manager Lee Scherer, 'and thus fosters the feeling of man's emancipation from the bounds of Earth. Perhaps to most of us the interest is due to human vanity, which dictates that self-portraits are always the best portraits' (Cortright, p. 114).

Literature: Thomas, p. 143; Cortright, p. 115.
Estimate $500-700


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

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