[Apollo 14] THE FIRST IMAGE OF LIFTOFF FROM THE MOON: captured from the LM window NASA, 31 Janua...

[Apollo 14] THE FIRST IMAGE OF LIFTOFF FROM THE MOON: captured from the LM window NASA, 31 January - 9 February 1971 Printed 1971. Vintage chromogenic print on fibre-based Kodak paper [NASA image S-71-19500]. With 'A Kodak Paper' watermark on the reverse, numbered 'NASA S-71-19500' in red in the top margin (issued by NASA Manned Spacecraft Centre, Houston, Texas). 25.4 x 20.3 cm. (10 x 8 in.) Historical context Liftoff from Fra Mauro—Apollo 14 departs the Moon in the first onboard view captured from the LM. This historic image, taken by the 16mm camera aboard Antares, captures the dramatic moment of Apollo 14's ascent from the lunar surface. As the LM ascent stage blasts off, the powerful force of its engine disturbs the scene below—scattering gold-coloured foil from the descent stage and sending the U.S. flag flapping violently in the exhaust. For Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell, the moment of liftoff was charged with anticipation and apprehension. 'There was really not any worry; it's just the apprehension, the anticipation of waiting for it to go,' recalled Mitchell. 'And since we'd never experienced that liftoff, we didn't know what we were going to feel. It was a pretty severe shock. It staggers you... it makes you sag.' (Chaikin, Voices, p. 114) With this ascent, Apollo 14 successfully concluded its groundbreaking return to lunar exploration—the first landing after the near-tragedy of Apollo 13. Footnotes: Literature Voices from the Moon, Chaikin, p. 115 Apollo Expeditions to the Moon (NASA SP-350), Cortright, ed., p. 243 For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing