One Giant Leap for Mankind: Vintage Photographs from the Victor Martin-Malburet Collection 
28 October 2022
One Giant Leap for Mankind: Vintage Photographs from the Victor Martin-Malburet Collection 
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Exceptionally large photograph of Buzz Aldrin walking on the Moon (large format), Neil Armstrong [Apollo 11], 16-24 July 1969

printed 1969
large format vintage chromogenic print on resin-coated Kodak paper 23¼ h × 23⅜ w in (59 × 59 cm)
estimate: $10,000–15,000
result: $3,000
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This mammoth-size presentation print was specially produced by Kodak. Prints of this size are exceptionally rare and were very expensive to produce. Buzz Aldrin is walking on the surface of an unknown world of unprecedented clarity, the result of unfiltered sunlight in the vacuum of space.
'A Kodak Paper' watermarks to verso. [NASA AS11-40-5902]

note: Media visuals referencing the original NASA photograph(s) not included.
literature: LIFE, 11 August 1969 Time, 8 August 1969, pg. 23 Moon: Man’s Greatest Adventure, Thomas, ed., pg. 196 Apollo Expeditions to the Moon (NASA SP-350), Cortright, ed., pg. 202

print
Time, 8 August 1969, pg. 23

“My first words of my impression of being on the surface of the Moon that just came to my mind were ‘Magnificent desolation.’ The magnificence of human beings, humanity, Planet Earth, maturing the technologies, imagination and courage to expand our capabilities beyond the next ocean, to dream about being on the Moon, and then taking advantage of increases in technology and carrying out that dream - achieving that is magnificent testimony to humanity. But it is also desolate - there is no place on Earth as desolate as what I was viewing in those first moments on the Lunar Surface.”

—Buzz Aldrin (interview for the 45th anniversary of the Moon landing)

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