Lot 490: James Lovell: Souvenir typescript, one page, 8.5 x

James Lovell: Souvenir typescript, one page, 8.5 x 11, taken from the Congressional Record for a joint meeting of the two houses of Congress to receive the Apollo 8 astronauts on January 9, 1969, and featuring comments from Lovell. In part: "I stepped out of the house a few days later and looked up at the moon and I could scracely [sic] believe that I was there. A sense of pride, a feeling of satisfaction and achievement came over me. And I thought to myself, Is there some American in this great country who, when he sees the moon, cannot feel the same as I do and say to himself, 'We were there.'" Signed at the conclusion in black felt tip by Lovell. Top of page bears a six-cent Apollo 8 postage stamp and first day cancellation, May 5, 1969. Faint perimeter toning, otherwise fine condition.In December 1968, seven months before the first moon landing, James Lovell, Bill Anders, and Frank Borman circled the moon ten times, bringing back numerous images of the lunar surfaces as well as the iconic "Earthrise" image. Upon their return, the nation's capital feted them with a hero's welcome, bestowing upon them the Distinguished Service Medal of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. At the time, Lyndon B. Johnson called the trio "history's boldest explorers" who had "blazed a new trail for mankind out into the vastness of extraterrestrial space." LBJ's accolades were presented on the same day as Lovell made these comments to a joint meeting of Congress.