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Apollo 11 artifacts, including lunar sample bag, to be auctioned at Sotheby's

market-auction · 2026-05-05

Sotheby's New York will auction a collection of Apollo 11 artifacts on July 20, 2017, exactly 48 years after the first moon landing. The highlight is a bag used by Neil Armstrong to collect the first lunar sample, still containing traces of moon dust, estimated at $2–4 million. Other items include original charts, maps, and engineering models. The auction coincides with a growing market for celebrity memorabilia, as Christie's London plans a September sale of Audrey Hepburn's jewelry and Sotheby's also auctions Vivien Leigh's belongings. The article notes the sale of Truman Capote's ashes in August 2016.

Key facts

  • Sotheby's New York will auction Apollo 11 artifacts on July 20, 2017.
  • The auction marks the 48th anniversary of the first moon landing.
  • Neil Armstrong's lunar sample bag is estimated at $2–4 million.
  • The bag still contains traces of moon dust.
  • Other items include original charts, maps, and engineering models.
  • Christie's London will auction Audrey Hepburn's jewelry in September 2017.
  • Sotheby's will also auction Vivien Leigh's belongings.
  • Truman Capote's ashes were sold in August 2016.
  • The article is by Mariacristina Ferraioli.
  • The source is Artribune.

Entities

Artists

  • Neil Armstrong
  • Audrey Hepburn
  • Vivien Leigh
  • Truman Capote
  • Joanne Carson
  • Mariacristina Ferraioli

Institutions

  • Sotheby's
  • Christie's
  • Artribune

Locations

  • New York
  • United States
  • London
  • United Kingdom
  • Wapakoneta
  • Cincinnati
  • Paris
  • France

Sources