A Vintage "Postal Life" Cover
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signed by the Postmaster General and complete Apollo 11 Crew!
The "First Man on the Moon" stamp is one of the most historic stamps ever issued.
It was the largest stamp ever issued until that time, and also the last issued by the
United States Post Office Department, which later became the U.S. Postal Service.
On the morning of September 9, 1969, the entire Apollo 11 crew unveiled the stamp
in Washington, D.C. with Winton M. Blount, Postmaster General of the United States.
This historic item is a possible prototype of the original cover of the U.S. Post Office
magazine featuring the stamp. It measures approximately 22 x 15 inches, and has
been archivally dry-mounted to matte-board for long-term protection.
The mounted item, in turn, has been beautifully and archivally framed in black leather.
On the morning of September 9, 1969, one of the earliest " First Man on the Moon "
stamps was affixed to this item. It was then postmarked at the ceremony, after which
it was hand-signed by Postmaster General Blount on the cancellation itself!
The Apollo 11 crew, in turn, then neatly affixed their signatures below the Postmaster
General's signature. A photograph of the unveiling was later archivally affixed to the
face as well, placing it into historical context and giving it a very striking look.
In my opinion, this is one of the most important and historic philatelic items residing
in private hands. It is also worth far more than a typical Apollo 11 crew-signed photo,
given its historical importance and uniqueness!
Plus the fact that it originates directly from personal space collection of Michael Collins!
Provenance
The Michael Collins Space Collection
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