Echoes-From-Apollo

Chinese Space Program Shenzhou 9 Launch Cover

 

Wonderfully vibrant illustration on this Chinese Shenzou 9 Launch Cover boldly signed by Mission Commander Jing Haipeng, Crewman Liu Wang, and Crewman Liu Yang. On this mission, Haipeng became the first Chinese astronaut to fly in space more than once, and Liu Yang became Chinas' first female astronaut to fly in space. Chinas' fourth manned spaceflight, Shenzou 9 launched from Chinas' Jiquan Launch Center on June 16, 2012. This cover appears to be postmarked June 16, 2012 at the Jiquan Launch Center.

 

 

 Below is a picture of the crew after returning to Earth.
From left: Liu Wang, Jing Haipeng and Liu Yang. 
The Shenzhou-9 re-entry capsule is seen on the right. 
June 29, 2012.

 

 

 

Apollo 17 Signed Mail Covers

 

I love both of these covers. As can be seen below, both are
vibrantly illustrated and in great condition.

While recently waiting in line to have these signed by Apollo 17 Commander Gene Cernan, he was telling stories to people ahead of me. One of the stories he told involved him recently buying some type of large statues in Scottsdale Arizona and when he called his wife to tell her about the purchase, she basically told him he better not come home if he had purchased any more of those types of statues for their house! I guess even astronaut heroes have to answer to that higher power back at home!

After he signed my covers, I asked him if would hold them so I could take his picture with them and he said he would but he felt like he had to sneeze. I kidded with him and told him to please turn his head to the side so he wouldn't sneeze on my covers! I then told him that if he did sneeze on my covers I would have his DNA [to do with as I wished]!

Overall a very pleasant wait and subsequent signing.

 

 

Apollo 17 Launch Day Cover Postmarked
on December 7, 1972 at Kennedy Space Center.
Signed by Apollo 17 Astronauts Ron Evans,
Gene Cernan, and Harrison Schmitt.

 

 

   Cernan Signing the Launch Day Cover.

 

 

Apollo 17 Moon Liftoff Cover
Postmarked December 14, 1972
at Kennedy Space Center. 
Signed by Schmitt and Cernan.

 

Cernan Signing the Moon Liftoff Cover.

 

 

Cernan Holding Both Signed Covers.

Cernan, the 'Last Man On The Moon',
has since passed away.