2023 Holiday Gift Guides: Gifts for the Space Aficionado
From astronauts' signed memoirs, original NASA photographs and Apollo coffee table books, to moon passport wallets and galactic cufflinks, these gifts are truly out of this world. We selected gifts that are sure to inspire and thrill the Space aficionados in your life and celebrate our nation's rich history of space exploration.
From some 27,000 NASA images, the book’s authors have curated 225 of the most remarkable Apollo mission pictures, creating a uniquely vivid document of one of the most seminal events of the 20th century. Accompanying these extraordinary Apollo photographs are little-known insider facts and fascinating insights into the Apollo missions, including a detailed foreword from NASA astronaut, Walter Cunningham. Not only a must-have book for fans of air and space travel, Apollo VII–XVII is a hit for anyone interested in photography, pop culture, and modern history.
The book is an extraordinary collection of more than 50 photographs from the historic Apollo 11 mission, each captioned by Buzz Aldrin. Commemorating the then-40 year anniversary of Aldrin's monumental moon walk, this 2009 volume is different from Aldrin's autobiography with a similar title, published that same year. The title Magnificent Desolation is taken from the phrase Aldrin used to describe his first impression of the lunar surface. The book was published by Jack Bacon & Company, in Reno, Nevada, and is hand-numbered 490 of only 500 books in the limited edition. Aldrin’s signature "Buzz Aldrin" is inked boldly above his printed name on the recto of the leaf following the limitation page.
The All-American Boys is a no-holds-barred candid memoir by the former Marine jet pilot and physicist, who became NASA's second civilian astronaut. From its insider's view of the pervasive "astropolitics" that guided the functioning of the astronaut corps, to its thoughtful discussion of the Shuttle Columbia tragedy, The All-American Boys resonates with Cunningham's passion for space travel and exploration. Cunningham brings readers into NASA's training program and reveals what it takes to be an astronaut- an inspiring read and perfect for those dreaming of a future career in space!
Gift this original autographed poster from a 1973 issue of National Geographic magazine, celebrating the historic Apollo missions from the first Apollo test crew through Apollo 17. Titled "Teammates in mankind's greatest adventure," the poster is a composite of Apollo astronauts, standing on the surface of the moon, with a waving American flag. The poster is signed in ballpoint by Gene Cernan, Dave Scott, Ron Evans, and Tom Stafford.
This is an exclusive Apollo 11 Signature Collage. The celebratory and collectible collage is composed of a Sea of Tranquility photograph signed by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, a signed Neil Armstrong cut signature, and an Apollo 11 mission patch. Stunning, collectible, and such a cool piece of Space Race history!
Galileo Galilei first resolved the band of light known as the Milky Way into individual stars with his telescope in 1610. Until the early 1920s, most astronomers thought that the Milky Way contained all the stars in the Universe. Following observations by Edwin Hubble, we came to know that the Milky Way is just one of many galaxies. As the home to our solar system, we think the Milky Way is beautiful and astounding, so we made Milky Way cufflinks to celebrate its many yet-to-be-discovered wonders. Gift a pair this holiday season!
This is a much sought-after, limited edition lithograph entitled Moonwalkers by Ron Lewis. This piece of space history contains the original signatures of eleven of the twelve American astronauts who stepped onto the Moon's surface. Signed in felt tip blue ink by their portraits are the original autographs of Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Charles Conrad, Alan Shepard, Edgar Mitchell, Jim Irwin, Dave Scott, Charlie Duke, John Young, Gene Cernan, and Harrison Schmitt. Issued in an edition of only 1000 prints, this lithograph is numbered 433/1000. The ultimate holiday gift for the Space enthusiast!
Moon Shot provides the never-before-told story of the bravery and teamwork that made the journey to the Moon possible. Authors Shepard and Slayton, both part of the pioneering space program from the beginning, tell this fascinating inside perspective. The book references the Cold War's Space Race, in which the United States and the Soviet Union competed to gain dominance in outer space exploration. It offers readers a personal look at the Apollo mission that made history, from two of the brave men who first ventured into space. This a highly collectible first edition printing, signed on the full title page by Alan Shepard!
Apollo 11 Moon Landing Passport Wallet
To celebrate the 50 year anniversary of the first lunar landing, we teamed up with expert leather makers Tactile Craftworks to design a special Apollo 11 commemorative passport wallet. The passport wallet design features a striking lunar map of the Moon's surface. The map starts at the front side and extends to the back of the wallet. Neil Armstrong's quote "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" is stamped on the front at lower right. The back of the wallet has our Great Republic stamp celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo landing. Such a great and practical gift!
