The 25th Anniversary of Moon Landing stamps commemorated the 1969 landing of Apollo 11 on the moon. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins commanded the spacecraft. The flight, a thrilling accomplishment for mankind, allowed the astronauts to photograph Earth from space for the first time. Once in orbit around the moon, the astronauts could watch the Earth rise over the Moon. Besides exploring the moon's surface, the astronauts placed an American flag there to further record their triumph. Mystified television viewers around the world watched as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. His legendary words — "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" — swelled the pride of all humankind and are ranked among history's most thrilling and immortal.
Issued in miniature sheets of twelve, the 29-cent stamp paid the domestic first-class rate for letters weighing less than half ounce. The $9.95 stamp, intended for use on domestic Express Mail letters weighing less than half pound, was printed in press sheets of 120 stamps and then cut into panes of twenty stamps for sale at post offices. The stamp's significantly higher price guaranteed next- or second-day delivery to an address anywhere in the United States.
Reference:
- "Apollo 11 Command and Service Module (CSM)." National Space Science Data Center. nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/masterCatalog.do?sc=1969-059A (accessed September 3, 2008).
- Kloetzel, James E., ed. 2006 Specialized Catalogue of United States Stamps & Covers. 84th ed. Sidney, Ohio: Scott Publishing Co., 2005.
Jill Piazza
