Chance to buy signed letter from Neil Armstrong
June 8th, 2018
Chance to buy signed letter from Neil Armstrong
A SIGNED letter from the first man to walk on the moon to an awe-struck Birmingham lad is to be auctioned in Lichfield.
Neil Armstrong wrote the heartfelt thank you note on NASA letterheaded paper one month before the lunar landing, in response to a book sent to the three Apollo 11 astronauts.
The letter, along with newspaper cuttings and other ephemera, was found in Dosthill, Tamworth. The collection is going up for sale at Richard Winterton Auctioneers at Fradley Park on Monday, June 11.
The letter from Neil Armstrong, which was sent to the vendor’s father in Eltonia Croft, Sheldon, reads: “Colonel Aldrin, Colonel Collins and I want to thank you very much for sending us the book ‘The First Men In The Moon’ by HG Wells.
“It is delightful and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. Your thoughtfulness in sharing it with us is sincerely appreciated.”
The letter is on NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre paper and is dated June 3, 1969.
The lot also includes a signed letter from James T Pettus, Office of Public Affairs at the United States Information Service, the American Embassy, London, to where the book was originally sent.
“This is a fantastic document of important historical literature,” said Rob French, customer relations manager at Richard Winterton Auctioneers.
“The family were absolutely gobsmacked to receive a letter back.
“It’s the personal story and circumstances behind the letter as well as the signature itself which makes this lot really special!”
Other lots in Richard Winterton’s Collectors Sale include an 1871 first edition of ‘The Coast Of Norway’ by Elijah Walton, a collection of pictures of the Norwegian Coast valued at £250 to £300.
There is also a collection of trophies and memorabilia relating to the endurance swimming career of Bill Pickering who, during 1955, became the 11th person to swim the English Channel in a then-record time.
Included in the lot are a quantity of photographs and ephemera relating to Mr Pickering’s friendship with Sir Ken Dodd from the early 1960s onwards – in fact, the ‘Squire of Knotty Ash’ was taught to swim by Bill.
The Collectors Sale also includes, stamps, records, hi-fi equipment, cameras, enamel advertising, books, maps and manuscripts.
Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ Collectors Sale is at The Lichfield Auction Centre at Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, on Monday, June 11. Viewing is on Saturday, June 9, from 9.30am to noon and on the morning of sale from 8.30am.
Bids can also be made online via www.the-saleroom.com/richardwinterton
Telephone 01543 251081 or email lichfield@richardwinterton.co.uk