Amazing and mission-critical flown lunar rover topographical map, used on the lunar surface to help navigate the rover during the Apollo 17 mission. Chart measures 10 x 8, and is labeled in type, “Sheet S E,” “Contour Interval 10 Meters,” and “December 1972.” Chart identifies the landing area for the lunar module, shows planned routes for the rover, and also shows the contour of the lunar surface as well as identifying all of the craters in the area. Craters include: Snoopy, Sputnik, Sherlock, Camelot, Emory, and Steno. Also labeled on the map are “Station 5,” an important stop during the second EVA, as well as “Gabbro,” which was an important discovery in the formation of the Taurus-Littrow region. Map is signed on the reverse in black felt tip, “This map was used aboard the Apollo XVII lunar rover. Gene Cernan, Apollo XVII CDR.” In fine condition, with three punch holes to bottom edge and a few scattered light surface creases. Accompanied by a 2010 certificate of authenticity from Cernan, which reads, in part: “This is to certify that the accompanying Lunar Rover Topographical Map…was used by me to help navigate while driving the Apollo 17 lunar rover on the moon…We had a series of maps specifically intended for use in conjunction with our lunar rover to navigate across the valley’s surface. The maps were contained in the book, ‘LM Lunar Surface Maps,’ which was carried in the rover on the lunar surface…This lunar map has spent 22 hours and 3 minutes on the lunar surface…This lunar rover map is one of the few objects actually used directly on the Moon’s surface.” Arguably one of the most important lunar surface relics, as this map was crucial to the mission’s extensive scientific exploration of the Moon. Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
Historic and very scarce flown Apollo 17 Robbins Medal, approximately 1.5 diameter, with a raised design on the face of the Apollo 17 mission insignia. The reverse of the sterling silver medal is engraved “America-Challenger Apollo XVII—The Beginning” along with the December 6, 1972, launch date; December 11, 1972, moon landing date; and December 19, 1972, return date. This medal is serial numbered “72.” Condition is mint state. Encapsulated in a plastic NGC holder and graded MS65. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Apollo XVII commander Gene Cernan which states, “I hereby certify that silver Apollo VXII Robbins medallion, serial #72, was flown to the moon and remained in lunar orbit aboard the Command Module ‘America’ during the mission December 7-19, 1972.” The fact that most of Cernan’s personal Apollo 17 flown medallions were stolen, renders this piece even rarer. Perhaps the most sought after and difficult-to-acquire of all the Apollo flown medals, with a fantastic tie-in between the last man to have walked on the moon and his own mission, being just the second flown medal offered by a member of the mission’s crew. RR Auction COA.
Enormous and exceptional flown Apollo 17 lunar orbit chart, 210 x 13, carried on and extensively used during the crew during lunar orbit, signed and flight-certified on panel D10 by Cernan in blue felt tip, “Flown to the Moon, Apollo XVII, Gene Cernan.” Chart is comprised of 21 map plates depicting the entire lunar surface during revolutions 57 through 75, and is labeled on the first panel, “Lunar Orbit Chart D, Apollo 17 Revs 57–75, December 6, 1972, SKB 32100123-383, S/N 1002, 1st Edition October 18, 1972.” The map contains extensive in-flight writing in ballpoint and pencil by Harrison Schmitt on panels D10 through D14, including the words “Jack’s Map” and observations about the color of the lunar surface. Also bears handwritten camera F-stop notations for use with lunar observation Hasselblad photography. Originates from Cernan’s personal collection and is accompanied by his signed letter of provenance, which states that it is one of four such charts used by the crew during orbit. Serving an essential purpose this is an extremely impressive, mission-used tool of exploration from mankind's last lunar landing mission. Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
