Following the highly successful sale of a collection of papers from Rocket Engineering icon, Dr. Werner Von Braun, Bonhams New York will be presenting a sale entirely devoted to the history of man’s exploration of space.

Taking place on July 16th, the approximately 400 lot sale fittingly coincides with the week of the 40th anniversary of man’s landing on the Moon and consists of items acquired either directly from the astronauts or that were originally in their collections.

The sale features every tier of space collecting, including artifacts carried inside spacecraft and taken out on the lunar surface. Some of these retain the lunar dust they came in contact with while being used by the Apollo astronauts.

Ranging from the very beginnings of America’s quest to journey into space to the present day Space Shuttle program, amongst the most coveted items to be offered are those from Apollo 11 - the mission which took Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on the first manned lunar landing.

Over 50 items related to this mission will be presented. Highlighting this group are check list pages carried by Armstrong and Aldrin as a reference aid, listing the actual steps in the descent sequence during man’s first lunar landing.

During this phase in the flight, a series of computer alarms posing a threat to the lunar landing distracted the crew until they were given the all clear from Mission Control. The crew then realized that the guidance system was leading their Lunar Module, named Eagle, toward a large boulder-filled crater. Using the steps described on these check list pages, Armstrong activated the final landing phase program that allowed him to fly Eagle safely past this looming obstacle. With less than 30 seconds of fuel remaining, Armstrong gently placed Eagle on the lunar surface and announced: “Tranquility Base here, the Eagle has landed!”

Each sheet has been inscribed by Buzz Aldrin, confirming that these were the actual sheets taken to the Moon’s surface and used by Neil Armstrong. One of the most significant things to come to market regarding the Apollo 11 mission, this series of three check list sheets is estimated at $125/175,000.

Another item of great interest from the collection is a star chart used to take celestial measurements on the surface of the moon immediately after the Eagle’s landing. With the partner star chart used by Armstrong and Aldrin, just prior to their departure from the Moon, being currently on display at the Smithsonian’s National Air & Space Museum, this lot is clearly of great historical importance and carries an estimate of $70/90,000.

Also cause for excitement is an official Apollo 11 crew insignia originally from astronaut Michael Collins’ collection. Collins was a lead contributor to the design, and wanted a symbol that represented a “peaceful lunar landing by the United States,” as he wrote in his 1974 book, Carrying the Fire. Silk screened onto non-flammable Beta cloth, the lot is one the few items carried on the Apollo 11 mission that was later signed by Neil Armstrong. With an estimate of $25/35,000 it is truly a collecting gem.

To be presented as well is a sheet from the flown flight plan which has the actual point in the elapsed mission timeline that Neil Armstrong first set foot upon the Moon. This was earlier than planned because Armstrong and Aldrin asked for and received permission from Mission Control to start their surface exploration period sooner than scheduled. They skipped the rest period listed on this particular sheet and started the first moon walk. After the flight, Aldrin noted and inscribed the exact time of Armstrong’s historic step as well as his own first step some 19 minutes later, also certifying that the sheet was carried on the mission.

Offering an eye-witness account of man’s first walk on the moon, the lot is estimated at $40/50,000.

An especially poignant piece of Apollo 11 history are the so-called “insurance” postal covers originally from Aldrin’s collection. A letter from him explains that as astronauts, he and his fellow crew members were unable to obtain adequate life insurance, and had to find alternative ways to help their families if the worst happened. Postal covers commemorating Apollo 11 were produced prior to liftoff, signed by the three astronauts, and postmarked on the launch day. These covers were distributed to members of the astronauts’ families, to be sold in the event of the crew not making it back. The emotional lot carries an estimate of $4/6,000.

Another moving piece is a page from the mission’s flight plan which corresponds to the timing of Apollo 11’s return to Earth. The lot is accompanied by a letter from Aldrin describing the crew’s thoughts as they spoke to the world during the momentous live broadcast near the end of their journey home. Estimated at $10/15,000, the piece presents an intimate look into the historic mission.

However, Apollo 11 enthusiasts are by no means the only collectors who will find interest in this sale. There are significant artifacts from Apollo missions 14, 15, and 16.

From the Apollo 16 mission comes one of the most highly estimated lots in the sale- a cuff mounted check list used on the surface of the moon. Presented to backup Commander Fred Haise by astronaut Charles M. Duke after his Apollo 16 flight, the checklist was used during the second and third lunar surface exploration periods by Duke. It was exposed to the lunar environment for over 12 hours and had lunar dust embedded in to several sheets as Duke turned each leaf with his dust coated lunar glove. The checklist’s authenticity is further evidenced by a photo of Duke wearing this check list while touching a large lunar boulder. Considering its direct contact with the moon and the lingering proof of its trip in the form of moon dust, the coveted lot is estimated at $200/300,000. This lot is being sold to benefit the non-profit Infinity Science Center, located near NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

An item directly from Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise and prized for its actual time spent on the moon, is a lunar surface dust brush. It was used during two Extra Vehicular Activities (EVAs), or Moonwalks, of the Apollo 14 mission to remove moon dust from the lenses of film and TV cameras. Apollo 14 landed at the area intended for Apollo 13, prior to the oxygen tank explosion that aborted that mission. Given to Haise by astronauts Alan Shepard, Stuart Roosa, and Edgar Mitchell the lot carries an estimate of $125/175,000.

Also expected to inspire fierce bidding is a flight vehicle altitude hand controller assembly unit that was part of the Apollo 15 Lunar Module. Considering that Lunar Modules were never designed to return to earth this lot’s appearance on the market is extraordinarily rare. With an estimate of $200/300,000 this is true cause for excitement amongst collectors.

Considered one of the most noteworthy lots in the sale is a film magazine storage case used during the Apollo 15 mission. Flown in the Lunar Module, the case held several 70 mm Hasselblad and 16-mm motion picture film magazines. Due to constant handling by the astronauts, the case straps are coated with lunar dust. One of the largest pieces ever to be offered at auction with significant amounts of lunar dust, the case carries an estimate of $40/50,000.

Early space engineering buffs will be offered a truly exceptional collecting opportunity with the collection of venerated spacecraft design engineer, Dr. Maxime Faget, going to block.

Co-designer of the spacecraft for Project Mercury - the first U.S. manned space flight program - and a contributor to every U.S. human spacecraft from Mercury to the Space Shuttle, the late Dr. Faget was a true legend in the world of spacecraft design. Dr. Faget and his team were responsible for enabling the U.S. to have a vehicle capable of achieving manned orbital flight in the shortest possible time to counter Soviet space flight accomplishments. He received several U.S. patents related to his engineering designs. His collection has period scale models of the Mercury spacecraft along with more than 15 models from later manned programs, including several rare prototype vehicles.

Of the many attractive items coming from Dr. Faget’s collection, perhaps the most desirable is one of the earliest constructed scale models of the Mercury spacecraft, produced by the NASA Langley Research Center in Virginia. Expected to fetch $10/15,000, the model offered is basically identical to the one displayed when NASA announced the names of the Mercury 7 astronauts and later held by astronaut Gordon Cooper in publicity photographs.

Also to be offered is an early 1970’s shuttle prototype model featuring a swing mechanism used to remove the engines from the booster and put them onto the orbiting shuttle. Clearly showing the exploratory thinking for which he was known, Dr. Faget and two members of his design team hold a U.S. patent on this particular design. Estimated at $3/4,000, it was devised at what was then called NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center where Dr. Faget was Director of Engineering and Development.

Another model to be offered is that of the Saturn-5 rocket which was developed throughout the 60’s and first flown in 1967. This rocket enabled the Apollo astronauts to travel to the moon. The model stands nearly 4 feet tall and comes in its original custom built transit case. Estimated at $10/15,000, it comes with a 1966 photograph of Dr. Faget explaining parts of this model to visiting dignitaries.

Additionally to be presented are Mercury and Apollo blueprints signed by the astronauts and Dr. Faget, as well as a 1958 letter to Maxime Faget stating that he was no longer working for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), but rather a new organization - NASA.

Other extraordinary lots from the sale include a sheet from the lunar surface checklist flown on Apollo 11 listing steps to be performed in order to prepare the spacecraft prior to the astronauts’ first moonwalk (est. $15/20,000); a lunar sample return bag - identical to the flown version - designed to contain the Moon Rock Box (est. $2/3,000); and two 1969 Snoopy figurines - one bearing the signature of Apollo 10 lunar module pilot Gene Cernan and the other, that of commander Tom Stafford - created to commemorate the mission’s crew who named their lunar module after the famous cartoon dog (est. $800/1,000).

The new Ketterer Kunst headquarters next to Messe Munich are certainly impressive. The House for Art deploys 3500 m2 of surface area, which includes a spacious auction room, light-filled exhibition rooms and a library with some 1000 m of shelf space. A highlight is what is probably the world’s largest art show window measuring eight metres in height and 23 metres across.

On 18 June 2009 the new Ketterer Kunst headquarters were inaugurated with grand summer festivities preceding the Welcome Auctions. The guest of honour was the actor Armin Mueller-Stahl, who is showing his new works of art as well as classics from his œuvre until 31 July 2009 at the special Ketterer Kunst exhibition “Menschenbilder, Zyklen und Lebenslinien” [“People Pictures, Cycles and Lifelines”]. “It is a great honour to be able to show the works of a universal genius like Armin Mueller-Stahl. I am delighted that we can present such a world-class contemporary artist,” thus Robert Ketterer, auctioneer and owner of Ketterer Kunst.

Some 900 guests from all over Germany accepted the invitation extended by their host and his wife, Gudrun. The distinguished guest list included film producers Quirin Berg, Max Wiedemann and Gabriela Sperl, Metro chairman of the board Eckhard Cordes, Freifrau Uschi Dämmrich von Luttitz, Alexander Dibelius, CEO of Goldman Sachs Germany, television presenter Florian Fischer-Fabian, Dr. Olaf Goettgens, director of Rodenstock, Professor Dr. Florian Hufnagl, director of the Pinakothek der Moderne, Professor Dr. Marion Kiechle and television presenter Marcel Reif, designers Sonja Kiefer, Lola Paltinger and Susanne Wiebe, actors Cosima von Borsody, Monika Peitsch and Michael Roll, directors Gernot Roll and Sharon von Wietersheim.

The guests were entranced with the works exhibited and the design of the new building for art. Käfer Party Service provided elegant refreshments. To match the occasion, frames in enormous formats transformed the buffets into tableaux vivants in which chefs prepared fresh pasta, wok and grill specialities for the guests while they watched.

The Summer Fest was the prelude to the Welcome Auctions of 19 and 20 June 2009. On those two days, over 320 lots will be called at four thematically different auctions. The first auction on the first day is devoted to Old Masters and Art of the 19th Century: works include Adolph von Menzel’s “Blindekuh” [“Blind-man’s Buff”] (estimate: € 80 000-120 000) and works by Wilhelm Busch, Franz von Defregger and Albrecht Dürer. It will be followed by Modern Art (1900-1945) with a cast made in the artist’s lifetime of the Ernst Barlach bronze “Der Geistkämpfer” [“Spirit Fighter”] (estimate: € 150 000-250 000). The second day will start with the special Bauhaus auction hosted jointly with the Munich auction house Quittenbaum, to be followed by the auction Post War/Contemporary Art, featuring works by Emil Schumacher, Lucio Fontana, Stephan Balkenhol and Tom Wesselmann.

Since it was founded in 1954, Ketterer Kunst has been firmly established in the front ranks of auction houses dealing in art and rare books with headquarters in Munich and a branch in Hamburg. Gallery rooms in Berlin as well as representatives in Heidelberg, Krefeld and Ravensburg have contributed substantially to the company’s success. Ketterer Kunst has further rounded off its portfolio by acquiring the prestigious Ernest Rathenau Verlag, New York/Munich. In addition, exhibitions, special themed auctions and benefit auctions for charity as well as online auctions are regular events at Ketterer Kunst.

On Tuesday, July 28th, John Moran Auctioneers will host an exceptional two-part antique and fine furnishings auction at the Pasadena Center in Pasadena, CA. Moran’s monthly auctions typically offer superlative antiques and decorative arts from important and private collections. Among the highlights at the July 28th event are property from the Donald A. Cole Living Trust and collections from notable Beverly Hills and San Francisco estates.

The two-session sale will begin at 4pm with the afternoon Discovery Auction. The afternoon Discovery Auction is an uncatalogued sale conducted in an informal style with bidding available from the saleroom floor only. Wonderful box-lots and surprises have become the standard for these very popular sales.

A sneak peak at some of the lots to be offered during this session reveals fine sterling such as an assortment of Buccellati utensils (estimate: $800-1200) and a Georg Jensen asparagus server in the ‘Nautical’ pattern (estimate: $200-300).

At 6:30pm, John Moran will take the podium to begin the fully catalogued evening session, featuring over 200 lots of fine antique furniture, decorative objects and art.

The impressive selection of decorative arts in this sale includes a Berlin KPM porcelain plaque depicting a finely painted beauty, Clementine, after Keisel. It is estimated at $10-15,000. A late 19th century Louis XVI style Egyptian ormolu-mounted white marble three-piece clock garniture is expected to bring $5-7,000. Continuing Moran’s reputation for selling exquisite silver, a pair of M. Buccellati sterling dolphin candlesticks will be offered with an estimate of $1,500-2,000.

A pair of monumental Sevres style covered vases with gilt-metal mounts, converted into lamps, is estimated at $6-8,000. An exceptional pair of patinated-bronze bookends by noted American sculptor Harriet Frishmuth (1880 – 1980) is entitled “Pushing Men” and is expected to sell for $2-3,000.

Highlighting the art offerings are two American works. The first, a signed acrylic on canvas by Robert Natkin (1930- *) “Untitled” comes to the block from a private Palm Springs, CA collection. This work is estimated at $10-15,000. An important signed and framed photograph by Imogen Cunningham (1883 – 1976) entitled “Junk” is estimated to sell for $6-9,000.

Rounding out the sale is a Navajo Third Phase chief’s blanket. Certain to be coveted by the collector, this blanket is estimated at $2,500 – 3,500.

Many more wonderful items are among the 400 to be offered in the two sessions. Bidding for the afternoon Discovery Session is available from the saleroom floor only. Bidding for the evening session is available in person, by phone, absentee or via the Internet through www.artfact.com. A fully illustrated catalogue for the evening session will also be available online at www.johnmoran.com prior to the sale. For more information about this sale and to consign, please call the offices of John Moran Auctioneers at (626) 793-1833 or visit their website at www.johnmoran.com

On Tuesday & Wednesday, June 23 - 24, 2009, Greg Martin Auctions (GMA) offers over 1,300 antique arms, armor and collectibles with a focus in four distinct and distinctive areas:

1) Fine Collectible Firearms, Sporting Guns & Militaria, offering Winchesters, Colts and more; 2) Colt Factory Archives Collection, Part 3, featuring 350 lots in the final part of this unique grouping - the last chance to own a piece of history. Known for their rarity, condition and diversity, the collection includes prototypes, production models, samples, presentation and engraved pieces. Many of these have never previously come up for sale; 3) Pre-Columbian Collection, with offerings from three American collectors that encompass a broad range of objects from Mexico, Central and South America. The 230 distinctive lots include ceramics, stone sculpture, textiles, gold and silver works of art, and objects made of wood, from cultures as early as the Olmec period of 2000 B.C. through the Inca and Aztec eras of the 14th century - plus items from the Alexandrian period of ancient Greece, and Spanish gems and relics; and 4) Fine Collectible Knives and Edged Weapons including several Bowie knives by Will & Finck, Michael Price, W.H. Wragg and James Dixon & Sons, and others - plus a large selection from the Donald Littman collection of knives.

Greg Martin Auctions’ two-day sale will be held in three sessions: Session I, which begins at noon on Tuesday, June 23, presents Fine Collectible Firearms, Sporting Guns & Militaria. On Wednesday, June 24, Session II features the Museum-Quality Pre-Columbian Collection, starting at noon; Session III offers Fine Collectible Knives and Edged Weapons, beginning at 3 pm. Like the company’s March sale, the summer event will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 2085 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, California. Parking is free for the event. Auction Previews are held from 10 am - 5 pm on Tuesdays - Saturdays through June 22 at Greg Martin Auctions’ new headquarters, located at 2152 Alton Parkway, Suite K, Irvine, California.

Discussing the June auction, Carol Watson, Greg Martin Auctions’ CEO, noted that in addition to numerous unique and exceptional items, this sale is unusual because it contains over 230 items from the Pre-Columbian period. All go to auction with two separate appraisals of value. “These special pieces came to us from three long-time, private American collectors,” she said. “Although these items represent a bit of a departure from Greg Martin Auctions’ traditional auction offerings, they are linked by being distinctive, unique and of fine quality. We expect collectors who value rarity, provenance and diversity will be very intrigued with these lots as well.”

Greg Martin, principal of the firm bearing his name, also commented that business conditions continue strong in their firm’s segments of the market. “Antique arms continue to be a store of value and safety in these still uncertain times,” he stated. “We expect the strength in these areas to remain intact - regardless of the direction of the market.”

Highlights of the June 23 - 24 auction include:

• Michael Price Double Ring Dirk Knife. Michael Price double ring dirk knives are among the rarest and most sought after of all San Francisco Rare made Bowie knives. Four specimens are known. Lot 1035. Estimate: $75,000 - $100,000.

• Monumental Gold Double-Tooth Pendant. Panama, ca. A.D. 700-1500. Huge and heavy cast gold pendant with twin anthropomorphic figures mounted on tooth-like bases. Lot 2078. Estimate: $60,000 - $80,000.

• An Extremely Rare and Important Egyptian Falcon Mummy Wearing the Gold Mask of a Pharaoh. Period of Alexander the Great’s Conquest, ca. 300-400 B.C. Height: 19-1/2″. The Sarcophagus has a falcon-headed carved wood lid and base and is painted in black with excellent gold details. From the estate of Ben Wolf (1914-1996), who acquired this just after WWII. Lot 2056. Estimate: $40,000 - $60,000.

• Springfield Model 1875 Officer’s Model Third Type Rifle. Only about 477 Officer’s Models were made, and this variation was estimated at less than 100. Lot 1066. Estimate: $35,000 - $50,000.

This sale features two catalogs sold through GMA. The catalogs — with descriptions, estimates and photographs by lot — are also online at http://www.gregmartinauctions.com.

Bidders can participate in various ways: onsite at Doubletree Hotel in Anaheim, by phone bidding and via absentee bids. In addition, real-time, Internet bidding through Proxibid allows potential buyers online to view a photo of each item as it goes up for sale and bid as selling is underway.

Based in Orange County with an office in San Francisco, Greg Martin Auctions (GMA) provides collectors, institutions, dealers and enthusiasts with unsurpassed expertise and a complete range of services to appraise, value, market and sell fine antique, collectible and sporting arms, armor and historical memorabilia. A leading auction house for antique arms and historic memorabilia, Greg Martin Auctions has achieved the sale of some of the most important arms ever sold and numerous world records.

Greg Martin Auctions
2152 Alton Parkway, Suite K, Irvine, CA 92606
Tel: 1-949-748-4848 • 1-800-509-1988 (US/CAN)
Fax: 1-949-955-9205
info@gregmartinsauctions.com
http://www.gregmartinauctions.com

About Rodin & Shelley Assoicates

Founded in 1988, Rodin & Shelley Associates provides marketing, communications and public relations services. For further information, please contact Jill M. Turner at 415-346-7300 or jmatousek@att.net.

Sotheby’s London have auctioned a magnificent pair of Russian Imperial Porcelain Vases for £2,617,250, well in excess of the pre-sale estimate for the pair of £1.2-1.8 million. No less than five bidders - three in the saleroom and two on the telephones - competed for the vases, in Sotheby’s biannual Russian Works of Art Sale, which after five minutes of bidding finally sold to a round of applause.

The magnificent pair of Imperial porcelain Palace vases, with masterfully decorated ornamental plants in two-colour gold and copies of Old Master paintings, comes from the collection of Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich (1917-1992). In keeping with the European trend for decorating porcelain with academic subjects, which flourished in St. Petersburg during the reign of Nicholas I (1825-1855), this pair features scaled-down versions of Stable Interiors by Philips Wouwermans and beautifully demonstrate the majestic splendour of the court of the Tsar. Traditionally works of such importance and grandeur were intended as presentation gifts for foreign rulers or formed part of wedding dowries and were made at the special request of His Imperial Majesty. The vases were acquired by the Grand Duke Vladimir Kirillovich in 1962, who assumed the title Head of the Imperial Family and Emperor and Autocrat of all the Russians upon the death of his father. Vladimir Kirillovich died in 1992 and is buried in the Grand-ducal tomb of the Peter and Paul Fortress of Saint Petersburg – the last member of the Russian Royal family to be laid to rest there.