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Patches worn by Apollo 10 crew pre-flight

The official pre-flight portrait session for Apollo 10 had the crew in their spacesuits with embroidered mission patches attached.

These patches are clearly visible in the closeup images on the right, and are generally referred to as the Apollo 10 "Grumman" Crew Patch.

Patches worn by Apollo 10 crew post-flight

When they stepped out of the recovery helicopter onto the deck of the U.S.S. Princeton the crew had already changed out of their betacloth flightsuits into blue jumpsuits with an embroidered mission patch attached, as shown in the closeup images on the left.

This patch is not the one worn for their pre-flight portrait photo, but is instead one I refer to as the Apollo 10 'Post-Flight' Crew Patch.

The Crew Patches

Patch id:

Apollo 10 'Grumman' Crew Patch

Worn by crew? This patch design was worn by the crew on their white space suits for the official pre-flight portrait photo. Apollo 10 Grumman crew patch
Flown? Yes. Examples were carried on the flight as souvenirs.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Distribution: Believed to have been produced for Grumman, who provided them to their employees as souvenirs, and to the Apollo 10 crew.
Dimensions: 4 x 4" / 104 x 103mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Rare. Maybe 2 to 6 sold per year.
Value: Examples have sold for $160-475[1].
Notes: Similar in overall appearance to the Lion Brothers patch, including the cross-shaped RCS thrusters on the LEM, but the coloration is subtly different (e.g. in the LEM rocket trail and the left half of the CSM trail). In addition, there are some differences in the design e.g. the absence of craters to the left of the base of the X.
The most easily-spotted difference is the open horseshoe-shaped crater to the right of the LEM rocket flame.
Patch id:

Apollo 10 'Post-flight' Crew Patch

Worn by crew? This patch design was worn by the crew on their post-flight jump suits at recovery. Apollo 10 post-flight crew patch
Flown? Yes. Examples were carried on the flight as souvenirs[2].
Manufacturer: Possibly Universal Commemorative (based on detail of border stitching)
Distribution: It's unclear if this patch was ever available commercially. The design was used by NASA on presentations created at the time of the mission[3].
Dimensions: 4 x 4¼" / 99 x 111mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Rare. Maybe 2 to 8 sold per year.
Value: Examples have sold for $78 to $745[4].
Notes: Similar to the AB Emblem patch but the bottom of the patch is somewhat pointed, and the APOLLO text is in dark blue rather than black. More obviously, the shadows on the "X" are distinctly two-tone on the crew version. The RCS thrusters of the LEM on the AB version are 'spanner'-shaped whilst on the crew version they are 'mallet'-shaped.

other Embroidered Mission Patches

Patch id:

AB Emblem patch

Worn by crew? No. AB Emblem Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions: 4 x 4½" / 102 x 112mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Uncommon in bare cloth back form.
Value: Bare cloth back examples sell for maybe $5-15.
Notes: The bottom of the AB Emblem patch is completely rounded, and the Lunar Module RCS thrusters are spanner-shaped. This patch is sometimes seen with a pale blue border, although whether this was a production error or a delberate variant is not clear.
Patch id:

Lion Brothers patch

Worn by crew? No. Lion Brothers Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Lion Brothers
Distribution: Was available commercially.
Dimensions: 3¾ x 4¼" / 99 x 106mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge without 'tail' (selvedged).
Scarcity: Scarce.
Value: Examples sell for around $15-30.
Notes: The Lion Brothers Apollo 10 patch closely-resembles the Grumman crew patch, including the cross-shaped RCS thrusters on the LEM, but the coloration is subtly different (e.g. in the LEM rocket trail and the left half of the CSM trail). In addition, there are some differences in the design e.g. the presence of craters to the left of the base of the X. Note that a rare plastic backed prototype version of this patch exists, and two border color variants (likely pre-production samples) surfaced in 2017.
Patch id:

'Cape Kennedy Medals' patch

Worn by crew? No. Cape Kennedy Medals Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Cape Kennedy Medals
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions: 4 x 4½" / 100 x 112mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with no 'tail' (selvedged).
Scarcity: Uncommon in bare cloth back form.
Value: An example sold recently for $40[9].
Notes: This patch was sealed in Cape Kennedy Medals packaging. It is very similar to the AB Emblem design, including the spanner-shaped antennae on the LEM, although this example has dark blue thread for the inner border and background rather than black, and grey thread for the names. The stitching also appears somewhat finer than on the AB example.
Patch id:

[AS10UNK1]

Worn by crew? No. Apollo 10 AS10UNK1 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Distribution: Unknown.
Dimensions: 4 x 4½" / 98 x 112mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Very rare.
Value: An example sold recently for $158[6].
Notes: This patch from an unknown manufacturer has similar coloration to the post-flight crew version. It also has quite distinct shadowing on the "X". However, the detailed stitching on the LEM is different, the RCS thrusters are differently-shaped, and this version has a longer flame underneath. The base of this patch is also slightly less pointed than the crew version.
Patch id:

Texas Art Embroidery patch

[AS10TAE1]
Worn by crew? No. Texas Art Embroidery Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Texas Art Embroidery
Distribution: Unknown.
Dimensions: 4 x 4" / 104 x 104mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge without 'tail' (selvedged).
Scarcity: Very rare (approx 1 sold per year)
Value: Examples have sold in recent years for between $110 and $481[7]
Notes: This patch has distinctive yellow continents on the Earth. An example which appears to use a more orange colored thread also exists [AS10TAE2].
Patch id:

Space Spin-Off Ltd. patch

Worn by crew? No. Space Spin-off Ltd Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Space Spin-Off Ltd.
Distribution: UK mail-in offer
Dimensions: 3¾ x 4¼" / 95 x 109mm
Type: Partially embroidered on blue cloth. Stitched border, cut edge.
Scarcity: Rare
Value: An example sold recently for $100[8]
Notes: This patch was offered to readers of Look-in magazine and Countdown magazine in the UK in February 1972, and was part of a set manufactured by Space Spin-Off Ltd. The design appears to be based on the AB Emblem patch, but executed on thin blue cloth (not twill) with a cut edge.
Patch id:

[AS10UNK2]

Worn by crew? No. Apollo 10 AS10UNK2 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Distribution: Unknown
Dimensions: 4 x 4.4" / 100 x 112mm
Type: Partially embroidered on blue twill. Merrowed edge.
Scarcity: Scarce
Value: Unknown
Notes: This rather strange looking patch can't be mistaken for any other full-sized version, although it is very similar to some of the 3" designs that are quite commonly seen.
The manufacturer is unknown but this patch was first identified alongside examples of AS9UNK2, AS11UNK9 and AS12UNK8, implying a likely common manufacturer.
Patch id:

[AS10UNK3]

Worn by crew? No. Apollo 10 AS10UNK2 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Distribution: Unknown
Dimensions: Approx 4 x 4.4" / 100 x 112mm
Type: PFully-embroidered. Merrowed edge.
Scarcity: Unknown
Value: Unknown
Notes: This bare cloth back version of the mission patch is from an unknown manufacturer. It is easily-distinguished by the black craters.

3" Embroidered Mission Patches

Patch id:

AB Emblem 3" souvenir patch

Worn by crew? No. AB Emblem 3 inch Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs
Dimensions: 3 x 3⅓" / 76 x 85mm
Type: Partially embroidered on blue twill. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity: Common
Value: Minimal value
Notes: This is the AB Emblem small souvenir (3") version of the mission patch.
Patch id:

Dallas Cap & Emblem 3" souvenir patch

Worn by crew? No. Dallas Cap & Emblem 3 inch Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Dallas Cap & Emblem
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs
Dimensions: 3 x 3½" / 76 x 86mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity: Uncommon
Value: Unknown
Notes: This is the Dallas Cap & Emblem 3" souvenir version of the mission patch.
Patch id:

Cape Kennedy Medals 3" patch

Worn by crew? No. Cape Kennedy Medals 3 inch Apollo 10 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Cape Kennedy Medals.
Distribution: Unknown.
Dimensions: Approx 3"
Type: Partially embroidered on blue twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Scarce.
Value: Unknown.
Notes: Previously noted as [AS10UNK3i2] this is in fact the Cape Kennedy Medals 3" patch.
Footnotes

[1] Examples of Apollo 10 Grumman patch sales:
    e.g. eBay item no. 150185584910 Nov 26, 2007 sold at $301.51
    eBay item no. 200129325580 July 18, 2007 sold at $214.50
    eBay item no. 200233710033 June 27, 2008 sold at $432.99
    eBay item no. 130235436216> July 8, 2008 sold at $475
    eBay item no. 200286113681 Dec 15, 2008 sold at $215.50
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot no. 228 sold Mar 14, 2009 at $278.75 (inc buyer's fees).
    eBay item no. 120411004087 Apr 28, 2009 sold at $375
    eBay item no. 360228204526 Jan 31, 2010 sold at $164.01
    eBay item no. 140381322309 Feb 14, 2010 sold at $224.95
    eBay item no. 360237402425 Feb 28, 2010 sold at $247.50
    Heritage Apr 21, 2010 auction lot 41085 sold at $1195 FLOWN example from John Young
    eBay item no. 150456142416 Jun 20, 2010 sold at $170.45
    eBay item no. 130423587477 Aug 29, 2010 sold at $204.49
    eBay item no. 130433281612 Sep 26, 2010 sold at $190.49
    eBay item no. 270650074953 Oct 22, 2010 sold at $160.45
    Heritage auction lot 41080 Jun 3 2011 sold at $1673 FLOWN example from John Young
    Lunar Legacies site sale Sep 10, 2011 sold at $174
    eBay item no. 180787258983 Jan 4, 2012 sold at $285
    eBay item no. 130681260505 Apr 22, 2012 sold at $218.50
    eBay item no. 280896129251 Jun 10, 2012 sold at $157.50
    eBay item no. 140800550549 Jul 22, 2012 sold at $221.07
    eBay item no. 111061504797 May 5, 2013 sold at $152.50
    eBay item no. 190889674658 Aug 28, 2013 sold at $355
    Regency/Superior Space Auction lot no. 168 Oct 3, 2013 sold at $309.40 (inc fees)
    Lunar Legacies item a1012 Oct 2013 sold at $224.95
    Heritage auction lot 40147 Nov 3 2013 sold at $2375 FLOWN example from John Young
    eBay item no. 271532040331 Jul 2, 2014 sold with other crew patches
    eBay item no. 131296034796 Sep 21, 2014 sold at $361.45
    eBay item no. 400791129878 Oct 18, 2014 sold at $340
    eBay item no. 151550465612 Feb 1, 2015 sold with multiple crew patches
    eBay item no. 361206266296 Feb 3, 2015 sold at $365
    eBay item no. 171721465299 Mar 22, 2015 sold at $250
    Lunar Legacies auction lot no. 236 Mar 28, 2015 sold at $238
    eBay item no. 261839374409 Apr 5, 2015 sold at $14.25 (in lot of Lion Brothers patches)
    eBay item no. 261837573937 Apr 9, 2015 sold in large collection of Grumman patches
    eBay item no. 261952546094 Jul 2, 2015 sold at $195
    eBay item no. 400965636542 Aug 3, 2015 sold at $295 [best offer]
    eBay item no. 281811512506 Oct 4, 2015 sold at $152.50
    eBay item no. 281888257431 Dec 20, 2015 sold in lot with other rare patches at $341.25
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot no. 246 Mar 12, 2016 sold at $166.60
    Space Walk Hall of Fame Charity Auction lot no. 72 Apr 2, 2016 sold at $240
    eBay item no. 262452411628 May 31, 2016 sold at $149.99
    Space Walk Hall of Fame Charity Auction lot no. 96 Jun 17, 2017 sold at $180
    Space Walk Hall of Fame Charity Auction lot no. 188 Jun 17, 2017 sold at $390
    eBay item no. 401369198632 Jul 30, 2017 sold at $154.51
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction Lot 257 Oct 28, 2017 sold at $119
    eBay item no. 362097148971 Nov 28, 2017 sold at $148.50
    eBay item no. 222606847239 Jan 8, 2018 sold at $144.95
    eBay item no. 222606847239 Jan 15, 2018 sold at $174.95
    eBay item no. 162865599428 Jan 29, 2018 sold at $58
    eBay item no. 372341357375 Jun 20, 2018 sold at $110 (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 323415711933 Aug 27, 2018 sold at $375 (with another rare patch)
    eBay item no. 263928006670 Sep 17, 2018 sold at $169 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 143014539651 Nov 20, 2018 sold in lot including Apollo 9 crew souvenir patch, Grumman LM-1 patch, Grumman Apollo 10 crew patch, Grumman Apollo 11 patch & more
    eBay item no. 392235448569 Feb 17, 2019 sold at $157.50
    Heritage auction lot 50942 May 10, 2019 sold at $3,250 FLOWN by John Young
    Heritage auction lot 50949 May 10, 2019 sold at $2,000 LM FLOWN by John Young
    Sothebys Space Auction lot 96 Jul 20, 2019 sold at $1,875 [FLOWN by Young]
    Heritage Auctions lot 50512 Nov 14, 2019 mounted with FLOWN Robbins medallion
    RR Auction lot 8158 Apr 16, 2020 [FLOWN by Young] UNSOLD at $1,411.25
    eBay item no. 324083358775 Feb 24, 2020 sold at $195
    RRAuction Oct 15, 2020, Lot 4149 at $10,195 (FLOWN by Cernan).
    RRAuction Oct 15, 2020, Lot 4150 at $1,251.25 (FLOWN by Young).
    RRAuction Nov 21, 2020, Lot 50152 at $3,125 (LM FLOWN by Stafford).
    RRAuction Nov 21, 2020, Lot 50156 at $2,250 (FLOWN by Young).
    Heritage Auction lot 50263 Nov 12, 2021 sold at $2,500 (FLOWN by Young)
    Heritage Auction lot 50171 Jun 2, 2022 sold at $1,837.50 (FLOWN by Young)
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction Lot 363 Sep 23, 2023 sold at $85.40
    Heritage Auction Dec 6, 2024 Lot 50048 sold at $2,875 [FLOWN]
    Heritage Auction Dec 6, 2024 Lot 50049 sold at $8,750 FLown patch & flown US flag

[2] e.g. Swann Spring 2007 lot 99.

[3] e.g. Heritage auction September 2007 lot 25105 an unflown patch mounted with flown flag from collection of Joe Garino - and lot 25109 a patch affixed to crew signed photo.

[4] Examples of Apollo 10 post-flight crew patch sales:
    eBay item no. 150221818754 Mar 9, 2008 sold at $532
    eBay item no. 150225020659 Mar 16, 2008 sold at $480
    eBay item no. 150221526288 Mar 8, 2008 sold at $867 (lot included Apollo 9 crew patch).
    eBay item no. 150231533999 Apr 6, 2008 sold at $310.99
    Astro-Auction item no. 1210551187 sold May 11, 2008 sold at $335 [McDivitt collection]
    eBay item no. 280252250916 Aug 6, 2008 sold at $403
    Astro-Auction item no. 1220469066 sold Sep 3 2008 at $430.
    Bonhams Space Auction Jul 16, 2009 Lot 155 no sale (FLOWN in LM by TS).
    Lunar Legacies listing October 2009 offered at $195
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 253 sold Nov 14 2009 at $143.75
    eBay item no. 360237402425 Feb 28, 2010 sold at $247.50
    eBay item no. 170463703915 Mar 28, 2010 sold at $222.20 [Ex-McDivitt collection]
    eBay item no. 140406154353 May 16, 2010 sold at $260.55
    eBay item no. 140410249199 May 30, 2010 sold at $103.50
    eBay item no. 250754139720 Jan 15, 2011 sold at $99
    eBay item no. 330525673834 Feb 7, 2011 sold at $139.50
    eBay item no. 110672149644 Apr 14, 2011 sold at $125.95 [some missing thread]
    Bonhams Space Auction May 5, 2011 Lot 109 sold at $2684 (FLOWN in LM by TS).
    Heritage auction lot 41078 Jun 3 2011 UNSOLD FLOWN example ex-John Young
    eBay item no. 140605212955 Sep 18, 2011 sold at $470.89
    eBay item no. 280743218451 Sep 21, 2011 sold at $80 [lot including AS12 crew var 3, AS10 crew post-flight & AS14 crew souvenir patch]
    RRAuction Lot 365 Sep 22, 2011 sold at $390
    Lunar Legacies lot no. 170 Feb 25, 2012 sold at $86.25
    eBay item no. 180822171420 Feb 16, 2012 sold at $9.99 [Buy-it-Now]
    eBay item no. 170830556912 Apr 29, 2012 sold at $167.50
    eBay item no. 150802736853 May 3, 2012 sold at $102.50 (mounted on wooden shield)
    eBay item no. 290769044811 Sep 1, 2012 sold at $150.00 (with other patches)
    eBay item no. 170953032195 Dec 12, 2012 sold at $78.00
    eBay item no. 181151494372 Jun 8, 2013 sold at $745
    eBay item no.141003341083 Jun 30, 2013 sold at $456.51
    eBay item no. 310897770995 Mar 21, 2014 sold at $156.93
    eBay item no. 390814228767 Apr 8, 2014 sold at $199
    eBay item no. 361182507257 Jan 18, 2015 sold at $229.02
    eBay item no. 251815820273 Feb 1, 2015 sold at $216.89
    RRAuction Lot 146 Apr 28, 2015 at UNSOLD [FLOWN by Stafford]
    eBay item no. 391157204764 Jun 22, 2015 sold at $200 [buy-it-now]
    Lunar Legacies auction lot 239 Jul 25, 2015 sold at $2856 [FLOWN by Stafford]
    eBay item no. 361350283851 Jul 29, 2015 sold at $225 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 371397357679 Aug 2, 2015 sold at $160.50
    eBay item no. 221987206918 Jan 12, 2016 sold at $511.50 with other scarce patches
    eBay item no. 191794087861 May 2, 2016 sold at $225
    Space Walk of Fame auction lot no. 97 Oct 29, 2016 sold at $180
    eBay item no. 401339649029 Jun 2, 2017 sold at $25 [buy-it-now] wrongly identified as Lion Brothers
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 160 Jul 15, 2017 sold at $95.20
    Space Walk of Fame Charity Auction lot no. 240 Nov 18, 2017 sold at $132
    eBay item no. 372219282935 Feb 13, 2018 sold at $99.99
    eBay item no. 372222173906 Feb 19, 2018 sold at $99.99
    eBay item no. 112916356471 Apr 4, 2018 sold at $29.99 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 372366671203 Jul 15, 2018 sold at $79.99 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 283097160331 Sep 9, 2018 sold at $119.95 [buy-it-now]
    Sothebys Space Auction lot 153 Nov 29, 2018 sold at $6,250 [FLOWN by Stafford]
    Heritage auction lot 50950 May 10, 2019 sold at $1,562.50 LM FLOWN by John Young
    Sothebys Space Auction lot 97 Jul 20, 2019 sold at $2,125 [FLOWN by Young]
    American Space Walk of Fame Space Auction lot no. 117 Aug 24, 2019 sold at $180
    Heritage Auctions lot 50461 Nov 14, 2019 sold at $1,562.50 [FLOWN by Young]
    RR Auction lot 8159 Apr 16, 2020 sold at $1,251.25 [FLOWN by Young]
    eBay item no. 254567178870 Apr 23, 2020 sold at $179
    eBay item no. 283777467792 Apr 25, 2020 sold at $65
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50055/a> Jun 5, 2020 UNSOLD [FLOWN by Young]
    eBay item no. 202981964725 Jul 28, 2020 sold at $125
    RRAuction Oct 15, 2020, Lot 4151 at $1,251.25 (FLOWN by Young).
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50157/a> Nov 21, 2020 sold at $1,1812.50 UNSOLD [FLOWN by Young]
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 197 Jan 23, 2021 sold at $2,928 [FLOWN by Stafford]
    American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame auction lot 115 Apr 10, 2021 sold at $84
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50018 May 22, 2021 sold at $7,500 from Christopher Kraft collection [flown, with flown US flag]
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50069 May 22, 2021 sold with multiple crew patches from Chris Kraft collection
    Heritage Auction lot 50264 Nov 12, 2021 sold at $2,250 (FLOWN by Young)
    Heritage Auction lot 50170 Jun 2, 2022 sold at $1,625 (FLOWN by Young)
    eBay item no. 175559761718 Jan 17, 2023 sold at $2,499 (FLOWN by Young)
    eBay item no. 134626360254 Jun 28, 2023 sold at $208.50 with other patches

[5] Post-flight crew patch sold in batch with Cape Kennedy Medals version: eBay item no. 150296266531 Sep 25, 2008 sold at $158.39.

[6] Unknown manufacturer patch [AS10UNK1] sales:
    eBay item no. 140964399636 May 5, 2013 sold at $158.05

[7] Texas Art Embroidery Apollo 10 patch [AS10TAE1/2] sales:
    eBay item no. 400020622261 Jan 4, 2009 sold at $250.66.
    Example sold via LunarLegacies website Aug 2009 at $245.
    Lunar Legacies listing October 2009 offered at $325
    eBay item no. 140539109368 May 1, 2011 sold at $416.59
    eBay item no. 180785276064 Jan 1, 2012 sold at $395.59
    RR Auction lot 279 Apr 22, 2014 sold at $481.43
    RR Auction lot 282 Apr 22, 2014 sold at $360.15 (mounted with Stafford ISP)
    eBay item no. 151797531160 Sep 6, 2015 sold with Apollo 9 TAE patch at $535.67
    RRAuction Lot 9266 Oct 23, 2015 at $437.33
    Space Walk Hall of Fame Charity Auction lot no. 73 Apr 2, 2016 sold at $390
    eBay item no. 112304974381 Feb 22, 2017 sold at $250 [AS10TAE1]
    eBay item no. 152508447978 Apr 26, 2017 sold at $250 [AS10TAE1]
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 208 Jun 1, 2019 sold at $109.80
    eBay item no. 164203860145 May 18, 2020 sold at $350

[8] Examples of Space Spinoff patch sales:
    eBay item no. 361037791411 Sep 7, 2014 sold at $51.99
    eBay item no. 131417355172 Feb 6, 2015 sold at $148.84
    eBay item no. 303232529359 Aug 27, 2019 sold at $99.95

[9] Examples of bare cloth backed Cape Kennedy Medals patch sales:
    eBay item no. 181780980133 Jun 26, 2015 sold at $39.52

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