CAPTAIN RONALD E. EVANS - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED 10/02/1978 - HFSID 131367

RONALD E. EVANS. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron Evans/10-2-78", 6½x3¾. Cover commemorating "The City of Chicago Welcomes Apollo 17 Astronauts Eugene A. Cernan, Ronald E. Evans and Harrison H. Schmitt", 8-cent flag stamp affixed, pictorially postmarked Chicago's Philatelic Center, March 17, 1973. Background of "Man's Conquest of Space" imprinted on verso. Ronald E. "Ron" Evans (1933-1990), who orbited overhead in the command module, America, during the Apollo 17 mission, had been one of 19 astronauts selected by NASA in April 1966. He served as a member of the astronaut support crews for the Apollo 7 and Apollo 11 flights and as backup Command Module pilot for Apollo 14. Apollo 17, which was launched on December 7, 1972 and concluded on December 19, 1972, was the last scheduled manned mission to the Moon. It set records for the longest manned lunar landing flight, longest lunar surface extravehicular activities, largest lunar sample return and longest time in lunar orbit. While fellow astronauts Eugene Cernan (spacecraft Commander) and Harrison Schmitt explored the Taurus-Littrow landing area, Evans made visual geographical observations, photographed specific targets and operated highly sophisticated scientific equipment carried in the command module SIM-bay. He later completed a one hour and six minute extravehicular activity during the return flight, successfully retrieving three camera cassettes and inspecting the equipment bay area. Evans retired from NASA in March 1977. Lightly creased, worn at left corners. Fine condition.