C5101

Neal Armstrong Memorial

First Man on the Moon

Collins Cover Announcement 

Neil Armstrong

First Man on the Moon

August 5, 1930 - August 25, 2012

This individually hand painted cachet honors a true American hero. Neil Alden Armstrong was a United States astronaut and the first person to set foot on the moon and walk on its surface. In fact, this cover shows that first footprint and Neil's immortal quote, "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind."

Armstrong was an aerospace engineer, naval aviator, test pilot, and university professor in addition to his famous astronaut status. A large portrait of him is the main feature of this tributary cover. On July 20, 1969 as mission commander of Apollo II, he and Buzz Aldrin descended to the surface while Michael Collins remained in lunar orbit in the command module.

Upon landing the lunar module, Armstrong confirmed to Houston Control Center that "the Eagle has landed." That was the name of the LM, and the patch for the Apollo 11 mission was an eagle landing on the •moon with the earth in the distance. It is prominently shown at the lower right on the cover.

Neil Armstrong died on August 25, 2012, and that is the day this cover was postmarked to commemorate the life of this astronaut hero. The cover which will forever be a fine addition to any Collins or space topical collection is now ready. The cachet design achieves the perfect philatelic memory of a man who became, and will always remain, an historic legend. The first man to step upon the moon astronaut Neil Armstrong. Collins #C5101 —$14.00.