Chris Calle (American, B. 1961) "Space Exploration" Signed lower right. Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This artwork was originally published on the Fleetwood Mint Stamps of the World Collectors Panel for Space Exploration produced in 1991. "The Eagle has landed." On July 20, 1969, those electrifying words traveled neary a quarter of a million miles via airwaves from the Moon's surface back to Earth. About six and a half hours later the hatch on the lunar module opened, and Neil Armstrong slowly backed out of the vehicle onto the craft's ladder. As he made his descent, the words "Live from the moon" flashed across television screens around the world, documenting man's first step on the lunar surface. The TV camera recorded the astronaut's movements against the Moon's dark shadows and blinding sunlight, and his ghostly image was broadcast some 240,000 miles back to Earth. Although the picture was fuzzy and scored with lines, this telecast undoubtedly was one of the most memorable events ever broadcast. Just 19 minutes later, Edwin Aldrin became the second man to set foot on the Moon. While treading on that unfamiliar terrain, he made the following observation: "You do have to be rather careful to keep track of where your center of mass is. Sometimes it takes about two or three paces to make sure that you've got your feet underneath you." Both Armstrong and Aldrin devoted most of their time outside the lunar module to setting up scientific instruments and taking samples of lunar material. By the end of their exploration, they had gathered about 50 pounds of rock and soil which were loaded into the space vehicle by using a rope and pully hoist. Soon after they were back in the Eagle , resting up for the long journey home. Image Size: 22.75 x 17.75 in. Overall Size: 30 x 21.75 in. Unframed. (B13350) See More