Last Updated on 2 years by sonnysuman
Former astronaut Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the Moon, sold more than $8 million worth of space memorabilia at auction Tuesday.
Business Insider reported that Aldrin sold 68 items related to the Apollo 11 and Gemini XII missions, worth $8,184,578.
Among American history items sold by Sotheby\’s was an Aldrin jacket that sold for $2,772,500.
According to FRANCE 24, Aldrin said, \”I wore this flight suit … in the Command Module Colombia, on our historic trip to the Moon and back home on the Apollo 11 mission.\”
A white, Teflon-coated jacket worn by the astronaut Buzz Aldrin during the Apollo 11 mission to the moon in 1969 sold for $2.7 million at a Sotheby’s auction on Tuesday. https://t.co/1b1Z4ogiwF pic.twitter.com/K9qg6WX1yK
— The New York Times (@nytimes) July 26, 2022
The New York Times reported that the auctioneer called Buzz Aldrin\’s jacket \”the most valuable American space artwork ever sold at auction.\”
Aldrin also auctioned off several medals, including his Presidential Medal of Freedom, which fetched $277,200. Former President Richard Nixon presented Aldrin with the highest presidential civilian award in 1969.
Buzz Aldrin sold his space jacket, presidential medal, and other artifacts at auction for $8.2 million, using a law change to let astronauts cash in https://t.co/KX3mcrMVSk
— Science Insider (@SciInsider) July 27, 2022
Not everything was bought at auction – bidding for a handle and circuit breaker used to fix a problem during the Apollo 11 mission stalled at around $650,000.
Aldrin said, \”After intense contemplation, it is time to share these objects with the world, which for many symbolize a historic moment, but for me always remain personal memories of a life devoted to science and research.\” have happened.\”
On July 20, the 53rd anniversary of the Apollo mission, Aldrin celebrated the historic flight on Twitter.
July 20, 1969, the world witnessed one of the most important achievements in history-humans walking on the moon. Neil, Michael & I were proud to represent America as we took those giant leaps for mankind. It was a moment which united the world and America\’s finest hour. #Apollo11 pic.twitter.com/EGxN5CxKlr
— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 20, 2022
“On July 20, 1969, the world witnessed one of the most important achievements in history – the landing of a man on the Moon. Neil, Michael and I were proud to represent America as we took this giant leap for humanity. It was a moment that brought together the high point of the world and America,\” he tweeted.
As a space enthusiast, Aldrin also urged fans to pick up a telescope and get ready for a \”good show\” in August.
Aldrin tweeted, \”You really don\’t need to go to the Moon to see some amazing sights and maybe this week they will be visible in the Alpha Makaronida meteor shower.\” \”Set your binoculars for August, we can have a great show.\”
One doesn’t have to travel to the Moon to see some truly amazing sights, and we may have one coming up this week in the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower. Get your telescopes focused for August, we might have a good show. pic.twitter.com/HBlvYygCSk
— Dr. Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) July 27, 2022
Neil Armstrong, son of Apollo 11 astronaut, sold similar memorabilia in 2019, earning $12 million. The auction raised eyebrows, but a law signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2012 made it clear that he had done nothing wrong. By law, crew members of NASA\’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions have \”full ownership\” of items collected in the course of their work.