Description
Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut’s Journeys, signed by Apollo 11 astronaut, Michael Collins.
Octavo, xvii, [3], 478pp, [5]. Blue cloth, title stamped in gilt on spine. Stated “Third Printing” on copyright page. Solid text block, points of rubbing to lower edge of cloth, ownership inscription on lower edge of text block, a near fine example. In the publisher’s dust jacket, price clipped, light wear at heel of the spine, a bright example.
Signed on the front free endpaper: “For Hope and Ralph Gunbel, with all good wishes – Michael Collins / October 1976.” Additional signature by his sister, Agnes Collins Spera.
Michael Collins (1930-2021) served as the command module pilot during the Apollo 11 mission. He served alongside Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin but remained in orbit around the moon as the others explored the surface. He retired from NASA in 1970. He is one of 24 people who have flown to the moon. In retirement, he became the Director of the National Air and Space Museum. He died at age 90 in 2021.
