Thailand, Kingdom. An Order Of The White Elephant, Commander, To Nasa Apollo 11 Astronaut Buzz Aldrin

Khrueang Ratcha-itsariyaphon An Pen Thi Choetchu Ying Chang Phueak. Instituted in 1861. Third Period (1941- ). In silver, multipoint star featuring a white enamelled elephant surrounded by red and green enamelled petals, the badge is surmounted by a Thai crown, the reverse features a red enamelled cypher on a gilt surface with a faceted ring, the reverse of the crown is marked with a Thai makers mark, measures 48.95 mm (w) x 85.65 mm (h), weighs 41.9 grams (including ribbon), full length neck ribbon with clasps at each end, central medallion loose and spins, minor enamel flaws in the elephant, remains in extremely fine condition. Accompanied by a ribbon bar with star device, with a pin on the reverse; and a rosette with a silver star device in the center, buttonhole style reverse, both in extremely fine condition.

Contained in its original case of issue, a red velvet exterior with Thai iconography on the lid, the interior with a white silk lid and Thai maker information, a crème coloured velvet recessed medal bed in the base with a compartment for storage below, measures 87mm (w) x 147mm (l) x 45mm (d), light wear to exterior, hinge and clasp functional, remains in extremely fine condition.

Accompanied by the Bangkok Detailed Schedule Notes from the “Round the World Tour” of the Apollo 11 Astronauts, including three pages of scheduling from October 28 to October 31, 1969; an Awards Ceremony scheduling document; the Department of State Background Notes for the Kingdom of Thailand, may 1969, consisting of a small seven page booklet containing information on the people, history, politics, foreign relations, etc.; Aldrin’s speech notes to the Lord Mayor and to the Boy Scouts on cue cards; a receipt from Johny’s Gem Brother, dated October 10 1969.

Footnote: The Apollo 11 launched from Cape Kennedy on July 16 1969, carrying three astronauts: Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin.

Buzz Aldrin was born on January 20, 1930 in Glen Ridge, New Jersey. His father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin Sr. was an Army aviator during the First World War, later working at Standard Oil. Aldrin attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating third in his class in 1951.

When the Korean War broke out, he joined the United States Air Force and underwent basic training in Florida. He served as a jet fighter pilot, flying 66 combat missions in a F-86 Sabre and shooting down two MiG-15 aircrafts. For his service in Korea, he was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses and three Air Medals.

Aldrin later attended MIT, earning a Doctor of Science degree in astronautics. His doctoral thesis entitled “Line-of-Sight Guidance Techniques for Manned Orbital Rendezvous” resulted in the nickname ‘Dr. Rendezvous.’ He was selected as a member of NASA’s Astronaut Group 3, making him one of fourteen individuals chosen for the Gemini and Apollo programs.

His first space flight took place in 1966 on Gemini 12, in which he spent over five hours on extravehicular activity. In 1969, Aldrin was the second person ever to set foot on the moon, 19 minutes after Commander Neil Armstrong. As a Presbyterian elder, he was the first person to hold a religious ceremony on the Moon when he privately took communion. They returned to earth by splashing into the Pacific on July 24th. The total duration of the missing was 195 hours, 18 minutes, and 35 seconds. Each astronaut was honored with a Presidential Medal of Freedom. At the end of September 1969, they embarked on a 38-day world tour, visiting 22 foreign countries.

In 1971, Aldrin left NASA and became the Commandant of the U.S Air Force Test Pilot School. He retired from the Air force in 1972, after 21 years of service. He continued to advocate for space exploration, struggled with alcoholism and depression, and created the Aldrin Cycler, a special spacecraft trajectory. In 2015, Aldrin, along with the Florida Institute of Technology pitched a master plan to NASA in which astronauts would create a colony on Mars before the year 2040. Aldrin is currently 92 and resides in Montclair, New Jersey. He is the only living Apollo 11 astronaut.

Provenance: Sotheby's Auction, Buzz Aldrin: American Icon 26 July 2022, Lot 52