11-02-201711-02-2017
Skinner Auctions
Skinner AuctionsMarlborough MA
November 2, 2017 10:00 AMCalender
333

James Irwin (American, 1930-1991)

Sell one like this
$3,690$3,000
Auction: American & European Works of Art - 3048MLocation: MarlboroughDate / Time: November 02, 2017 10:00AM

Description:

James Irwin (American, 1930-1991)
Panoramic view of David Scott in front of the lunar mountains of Hadley-Apennine, Station 6, EVA 2, Apollo 15, August 1971. Numbered 'NASA AS15-85-11510,' 'NASA AS15-85-11511,' 'NASA AS15-85-11512,' and 'NASA AS15-85-11514' (NASA MSC) in black along upper margins. Mosaic of four vintage gelatin silver prints, overall size 10 x 23 in. (25.3 x 58.3 cm),unmatted.
Condition: Good.

N.B. "For a boots-on-the-ground perspective of the lunar surface, one of the best resources is a spectacular set of 70-mm Hasselblad panoramas that the Apollo astronauts created. These panoramas were not easy to produce. The astronauts' movements on the lunar surface were encumbered by spacesuits. Because the astronauts were wearing helmets, they were unable to align the cameras with a viewfinder and the cameras were mounted on the chests of the spacesuits. Without a view-finder, the crew had to learn how to point, shoot, turn slightly, point and shoot again, etc., until a panorama of overlapping photographs was generated. This required a lot of training on Earth, before they travelled to the Moon. Fortunately, this task will be much easier with modern digital imaging systems when we return to the Moon" (https://www.lpi.usra.edu/resources/apollopanoramas/foreword/). David Scott is photographing a geologic find at Apennine Front's Station 6, located on the North facing slope of Mount Hadley Delta, about 5 kilometers southeast of the Lunar Module, which would appear as a tiny dot just out of shot to the left (Constantine, p. 68). The lunar rover can be seen parked in the distance behind Scott. The white spots above him are lens flares caused by shooting directly east into the sun. The mountains behind him are 10.5 miles away with Mount Hadley rising 4,200 meters above the plain on the left and the Swann Range to the right (Light, caption 79). 'They [the mountains] looked big, but not as big as they were...And they were enormous. They were huge," remembered Schott. "But I expected them, frankly, to look bigger in the scope of things. The problem is you don't have anything to compare them with, 'cause how high is up, and how big is big?' (Chaikin, Voices, p. 70).

Literature: NASA SP-289, appendix D, figure D-9-b; Light, plate 79; Constantine, pp. 68-69.
Estimate $3,000-5,000


The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner Inc. shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.

Keywords

hasselblad, James Irwin, Hadley Delta, set 70