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NASA Mission Control Vintage Embroidered Insignia Patch Originally from the Collection of Gene Kranz's Secretary....
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Description
NASA Mission Control Vintage Embroidered Insignia Patch Originally from the Collection of Gene Kranz's Secretary. This rarely seen 4.25" x 4.125" patch made by AB Emblem was originally designed by space artist Robert McCall with the help and prompting of NASA Flight Director Gene Kranz. The Latin along the top "Res Gesta Par Excellentiam" translates to "Achievement Through Excellence". Excellent condition.Included with this lot is a Certificate of Authenticity from Lunar Legacies stating that this patch was purchased from the secretary of Eugene Kranz.
Kranz writes about the development of this Mission Control patch in his book:
"As the mission [Apollo 17] went forward, I felt increasingly frustrated and melancholy. I would often sit in the corner of the viewing room, silently watching the teams at work and realizing that I had started my transition to an entirely new role. But I also thought about the legacy of my generation: trust, values, teamwork. I wanted to be a living connection between the new generation of mission controllers, reminding them of how and where it all started with my generation and where theirs might take us in the future.
"Bob McCall, in my belief the premier artist of space, had been sitting on the step to the right of the flight director console, sketching during the final Apollo EVAs. He had designed the Apollo 17 crew patch. When Bob took a break for a cup of coffee, I joined him in the cafeteria... I don't think Bob was surprised when I asked him to design an emblem for the Mission Control team. I spoke emotionally, from my heart and gut, about the control teams and crews, and our life in Mission Control. 'We fought and won the race in space and listened to the cries of the Apollo 1 crew. With great resolve and personal anger, we picked up the pieces, pounded them together, and went on the attack again. We were the ones in the trenches of space and with only the tools of leadership, trust, and teamwork, we contained the risks and made the conquest of space possible.'
"Over the next six months, McCall developed the emblem worn proudly by every subsequent generation of mission controller." (Failure is Not an Option, page 376).
Auction Info
2013 April 18 Space Exploration Signature Auction - Dallas #6095 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
April, 2013
18th
Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 7
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
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Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid per lot.
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