CAPTAIN RONALD E. EVANS - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 131385

RONALD E. EVANS. Commemorative Envelope signed: "Ron Evans", 6½x3¾. Cover commemorating the "Apollo 17 Splashdown", 8-cent flag stamp affixed, postmarked Cape Canaveral, FL, December 19, 1972, the date of the splashdown of Apollo 17. Imprinted caption: "APOLLO 17 - SPLASHDOWN - DECEMBER 19, 1972 - 2:25 P.M. - The splashdown sequence went without flaw. At 2:12 P.M. as predicted, the spacecraft came into earth's atmosphere at 25,000 m.p.h. and began slowing down. At 2:25 P.M. Astronauts Cernan, Evans and Schmitt came within easy range of watching television cameras aboard the recovery ship U.S.S. Ticonderoga, enabling millions of viewers around the world to watch them splashdown in the blue Pacific waters just 3.5 miles from target. The last of the Apollo flights proved to be the most successful; bringing back more samples with more promise to scientists than ever before. The journey lasted a record 301 hours and 52 minutes. The end of a colorful era." 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. Slightly creased at upper blank margin. Fine condition.