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Apollo 17

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Apollo 17 photos

When they stepped out of the recovery helicopter onto the deck of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga the Apollo 17 crew were wearing orange jumpsuits with an embroidered mission patch attached.

The high-res photos from their arrival on the ship, and from later that day, yield quite clear detailed close-up images as shown below.

Patches worn by the Apollo 17 crew on the recovery ship

This patch is known as the Apollo 17 "White Eagle" Crew Patch, but another Crew Patch for the also mission exists, the Apollo 17 Initialed Crew Patches which were created exclusively for each crew member.

The Crew Patches

Patch id:

Apollo 17 "White Eagle" Crew Patch

Worn by crew? Yes. The crew wore these patches on their post-flight jump suits. Apolo 17 white eagle crew patch
Flown? Yes, at least 1 example known.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem.
Distribution: Given the apparent scarcity of this version of the patch it seems possible that this version of the patch was produced for NASA directly and not released to the general public.
Dimensions: 4" / 101mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed border with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Rare. Perhaps three examples sold per year.
Value: Examples sealed in plastic packets and with AB Emblem stickers on the reverse recently sold for $150 to $360. Examples with no packet sold recently for $141 to $330[1].
Notes: Produced by AB Emblem, and almost identical to the standard AB Emblem version, this patch can be identified by the white thread used on the outline of the eagle (the standard version uses pale blue thread), the pale blue thread in the border (the standard version has pale grey thread), and the white thread on the planet Saturn (the standard version has the planet and rings in blue).

Note that this version of the AB Emblem patch was also used by NASA on the certificates of appreciation distributed to employees after the mission.

At least one example of this patch was identified by Cernan has having been flown on the mission (on the Command Module), as sold in the RRAuction October 2020 auction (link).

Patch id:

Apollo 17 Initialed Crew Patch

Worn by crew? No. Apollo 17 initialed crew patch
Flown? Yes, at least 1 example known.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: 150 examples per crew member.
Dimensions: 4½" / 114mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed border with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Rare.
Value: Most examples have sold in the last few years for between $167 and $307[2].
Notes:

Easily identified by the 4½" diameter, the initialed Crew Patches also have an extra star above Apollo's shoudler and a set of crew initials hidden in the background thread to the right of this.

Since they were never available to the general public they are extremely scarce, although examples from what seems to be a production overrun came to market in 2005/6. By my count there were roughly 150 each of the RE and HS patches sold at this time, along with about 60 EC versions.

Other Embroidered Mission Patches

Patch id:

AB Emblem patch

Worn by crew? No. AB Emblem Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs.
Dimensions: 4" / 101mm
Type: Fully embroidered . Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Uncommon in bare back form.
Value: Bare cloth back examples sell for maybe $5-15.
Notes: The standard AB Emblem patch has a grey background around the outer text, the eagle outline is in pale blue instead of white, and the planet Saturn above the eagle's head (at least in this particular example) is missing the white center.
Patch id:

Lion Brothers patch

Worn by crew? No. Lion Brothers Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Lion Brothers
Distribution: Was available commercially.
Dimensions: 4" / 101mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge without 'tail' (selvedged).
Scarcity: Scarce.
Value: Examples sell for around $15-30.
Notes: The Lion Brothers patch is easily distinguished from the AB Emblem version by the wide outer border containing the text. It also has the number "17" embroidered on the shoulder of the Apollo figure as a hallmark. Note that a rare plastic backed prototype version of this patch exists.
Patch id:

[AS17UNK1] & [AS17UNK2] & [AS17UNK3]

Worn by crew? No. Apollo 17 AS17UNK1 & AS17UNK2 & AS17UNK3 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown
Distribution: Unknown
Dimensions: 4" / 101mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge without 'tail' (selvedged).
Scarcity: Uncommon.
Value: Examples have sold recently for $20 to $53 [3]
Notes: This vintage version of the Apollo 17 patch from an unknown manufacturer is rather crudely executed. A variant of this patch with a gray outer border instead of white also exists [AS17UNK2], and a further variant with a silver border (and slightly ligher blue detailing) has been identified by Liem Bahneman [AS17UNK3].
Patch id:

Space Spin-Off Ltd. patch

Worn by crew? No. Space Spin-Off Ltd Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Space Spin-Off Ltd.
Distribution: UK mail-in offer
Dimensions: 3¾" / 97mm
Type: Partially embroidered on gray cloth. Stitched border, cut edge.
Scarcity: Rare
Value: An example sold recently for $49 [4]
Notes: This patch was offered to readers of Look-in magazine and Countdown magazine in the UK in December 1972, and was part of a set manufactured by Space Spin-Off Ltd. The design is executed on thin gray cloth (not twill) with a cut edge.
Patch id:

Hilborn Hamburger oversize patch

Worn by crew? No. Oversize Hilborn Hamburger Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Hilborn Hamburger
Distribution: Unknown
Dimensions: Approx 4⅞" / 123mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity: Unknown
Value: An example sold recently for $90 [5]
Notes: This patch has been identified as having been made by Hilborn Hamburger. These oversize patches were generally produced by Hilborn Hamburger to accompany similarly-sized recovery patches for the missions.

3" Embroidered Mission Patches

Patch id:

Dallas Cap & Emblem 3" souvenir patch

Worn by crew? No. Dallas Cap & Emblem 3 inch Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Dallas Cap & Emblem
Distribution: Sold as souvenirs
Dimensions: 3" / 77mm
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity: Uncommon
Value: Unknown
Notes: This is the Dallas Cap & Emblem 3" souvenir patch.
Patch id:

Cape Kennedy Medals 3" patch

Worn by crew? No. Cape Kennedy Medals 3 inch Apollo 17 patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Cape Kennedy Medals.
Distribution: Unknown.
Dimensions: Approx 3"
Type: Fully embroidered. Merrowed edge with tail.
Scarcity: Scarce.
Value: Unknown.
Notes: This is the Cape Kennedy Medals 3" patch.
Footnotes

[1] Sales of "White Eagle" Crew Patches:
    eBay item no. 150216632406 Feb 23, 2008 sold at $230.49 [in packet].
    eBay item no. 150233627178 Apr 12, 2008 sold at $307 [in packet].
    eBay item no. 150271524267 Jul 22, 2008 sold at $150 [in packet].
    eBay item no. 160313485129 Feb 8, 2009 sold at $86.55.
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot no. 361 sold Mar 14, 2009 at $78 (inc buyer's fees).
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot no. 333 sold Jul 11, 2009 at $34.50 (inc buyer's fees).
    eBay item no. 130418999060 Aug 15, 2010 sold at $104
    Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 1213 Jul 10, 2011 sold at $236 [with AS11 UC patch]
    Lunar Legacies site sale Sep 10, 2011 sold at $149.95 [in packet]
    RRAuction Lot 662 Sep 22, 2011 sold at $462 [3 initialed crew patches & white eagle patch]
    Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 506 Dec 3, 2011 sold at $330 [Slayton collection]
    Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 507 Dec 3, 2011 sold at $177 [Slayton collection]
    Lunar Legacies auction lot 406 Jun 2, 2012 sold at $141.60 (inc fees)
    Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 477 Jun 30, 2012 sold at $360 [Slayton collection, in packet]
    Direct private sales via AstroGallery web site Aug-Sep 2012 at $149 [several MIP examples from Al Bishop collection]
    eBay item no. 181075294218 Feb 8, 2013 sold at $165.52
    eBay item no. 400412144415 Feb 16, 2013 sold at $165
    eBay item no. 190804733949 Mar 6, 2013 sold at $147.50 [in packet]
    eBay item no. ? Apr 14, 2013 sold at $177.50 [in packet]
    eBay item no. 130871256838 Mar 24, 2013 sold at $67 (badly stained)
    Regency/Superior Space Auction lot no. 271 May 24, 2013 sold at $202.30 (inc fees)
    eBay item no. 390883066587 Jul 13, 2014 sold at $113.50
    eBay item no. 141423302886 Sep 29, 2014 sold at $4.50 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 261754913650 Feb 1, 2015 sold at $173.51 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 151550465612 Feb 1, 2015 sold with multiple crew patches
    eBay item no. 251834333147 Feb 13, 2015 sold at $275
    eBay item no. 181764243248 Jun 2, 2015 sold at $55 [buy-it-now, on presentation certificate]
    eBay item no. 361350233379 Jul 27, 2015 sold at $250 [best offer]
    eBay item no. 171951694924 Oct 5, 2015 sold at $219.05 [on presentation certificate]
    RRAuction Lot 497 Dec 9, 2015 sold with other crew patches
    eBay item no. 252259562063 Jan 27, 2016 sold at $220.00
    Lunar Legacies auction lot no. 406 sold Mar 11, 2017 at $95.20 [from Bobko]
    eBay item no. <311844070206 Apr 17, 2017 sold at $109.19 (with ASTP crew patch)
    eBay item no. 252964001116 Jun 2, 2017 sold at $215 [buy-it-now]
    eBay item no. 263051075896 Jun 25, 2017 sold at $222.51
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 267 Jul 15, 2017 sold at $166.60
    eBay item no. 172815589564 Aug 17, 2017 sold at $32.20 (with other patches)
    RRAuction Lot 8097 Oct 19, 2017 sold at $245 [2 examples]
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction Lot 435 Oct 28, 2017 sold at $142.80
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction Lot 436 Oct 28, 2017 sold at $142.80 [Ex Karol Bobko]
    eBay item no. 122790809538 Nov 3, 2017 sold at $125 with multiple other items
    eBay item no. 263385406170 Dec 13, 2017 sold at $162.30
    Heritage auction lot 51198 May 11, 2019 sold at $812.50
    eBay item no. 283549374190 Aug 11, 2019 sold at $200
    eBay item no. 164155843828 Apr 9, 2020 sold at $6.99
    eBay item no. 133394915651 May 1, 2020 sold at $138.51
    RRAuction Oct 15, 2020, Lot 4322 at $11,075 (FLOWN by Cernan)
    American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame auction lot 123 Apr 10, 2021 sold at $270
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50022 May 22, 2021 sold at $11,875 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
    eBay item no. 193816279463 Dec 31, 2020 sold at $68
    Heritage Auction Dec 6, 2024 Lot 50094 sold at $10,000 [FLOWN, mounted with flown US flag]

[2] Sales of initialed Crew Patches:
    eBay item no. 140494198185 Jan 2, 2011 sold at $102.50 [RE in packet]
    eBay item no. 130471075440 Jan 9, 2011 sold at $76 [HS in packet]
    eBay item no. 140499142769 Jan 16, 2011 sold at $275 [EC]
    eBay item no. 140499163678 Jan 19, 2011 sold at $66.21 [RE]
    eBay item no. 230529419312 Feb 12, 2011 sold at $240.02 [HS in packet]
    eBay item no. 300569434793 Jun 26, 2011 sold at $121.49 [RE in packet]
    Lunar Legacies Auction lot 420 Aug 20, 2011 sold at $126.50 [HS in packet]
    RRAuction Lot 662 Sep 22, 2011 sold at $462 [3 initialed crew patches & white eagle patch]
    eBay item no. 180751999972 Nov 13, 2011 sold at $99.99 [RE in packet]
    eBay item no. 180802100581 Jan 25, 2012 sold at $199.99 [EC]
    eBay item no. 180806099223 Jan 30, 2012 sold at $99.99 [RE]
    eBay item no. 280835547828 Mar 4, 2012 sold at $100 [HS]
    eBay item no. 120896519692 Apr 22, 2012 sold at $215 [EC]
    eBay item no. 120902399088 Apr 25, 2012 sold at $365 [EC]
    Lunar Legacies auction lot 407 Jun 2, 2012 sold at $94.40 [HS in packet]
    Lunar Legacies auction lot 408 Jun 2, 2012 sold at $177 [RE in packet]
    Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 471 Jun 30, 2012 sold at $312 [EC, Slayton collection]
    eBay item no. 190751686289 Nov 14, 2012 sold at $259 [EC]
    eBay item no. 261171708750 Feb 24, 2013 sold at $88.89 [HS]
    eBay item no. 130939150147 Jul 7, 2013 sold at $300 [HS]
    eBay item no. 221262704514 Aug 5, 2013 sold at $350 [RE]
    eBay item no. 261440021501 Apr 18, 2014 sold at $275 buy-it-now [RE]
    RR Auction lot 488 Apr 22, 2014 sold at $779.10 [EC]
    eBay item no. 181487049168 Apr 21, 2014 sold at $250 [EC]
    eBay item no. 141493586886 Dec 2, 2014 sold at $15 [EC] (buy-it-now, lot of patches)
    Lunar Legacies auction lot no. 360 Mar 28, 2015 sold at $416.50
    eBay item no. 201442005958 Oct 5, 2015 sold at $130 [RE] (offer accepted)
    RRAuction Lot 9472 Oct 23, 2015 sold at $245 [EC]
    RRAuction Lot 486 Dec 9, 2015 sold at $245 [RE x 2 (1 in package)]
    RRAuction Lot 497 Dec 9, 2015 [HS] sold with other crew patches
    eBay item no. 201442005958 Oct 5, 2015 sold at $130 [RE] (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 262445623936 Jun 18, 2016 sold at $259 [RE] buy-it-now
    eBay item no. 112318323914 Mar 4, 2017 sold at $194.50 [HS, in packet]
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 2378 Jul 15, 2017 sold at $166.60 [RE]
    Heritage Space Auction lot 50077 Nov 10, 2017 - EC patch mounted with flown beta patch
    eBay item no. 122803602852 Nov 12, 2017, sold at $235 [HS] (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 362156101237 Nov 14, 2017, sold at $225 [EC] (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 362156103628 Nov 16, 2017, sold at $190 [RE] (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 202117457748 Nov 17, 2017, sold at $50 [2 x EC] (buy-it-now - in large lot of patches)
    eBay item no. 282742935391 Nov 26, 2017, sold at $219.99 [EC] (resale of one of above patches)
    RRAuction Lot 6589 Apr 19, 2018 sold at $1037.58 (Set of 3 patches)
    eBay item no. 253731297246 Aug 2 2018, sold at $259 [EC]
    eBay item no. 223529704341 May 27, 2019, sold at $225 [RE, in packet]
    eBay item no. 173959476267 Jul 14, 2019, sold at $211.50 [HS & RE]
    eBay item no. 223640089429 Aug 29, 2019, sold at $295 [RE, in packet]
    Lunar Legacies Space Auction lot 400 Sep 14, 2019 sold at $195.20 [EC in packet]
    Space Walk of Fame Auction lot 317 Feb 20, 2021 sold at $600 [HS]
    American Space Museum & Space Walk of Fame auction lot 172 Apr 10, 2021 [RE in packet] sold at $360
    eBay item no. 133664339785 Feb 14, 2022, sold at $195 [HS]
    Heritage Auction Dec 6, 2024 Lot 50093 sold at $5,000 [EC, FLOWN by Cernan]

[3] Sales of Unknown manufacturer [AS17UNK1 & 2] patches :
    eBay item no. 140536590129 Apr 24, 2011 sold at $27.59 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 320715710687 Jun 24, 2011 sold at $52.59 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 220804496613 Jun 27, 2011 sold at $20.00 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 220828045833 Aug 11, 2011 sold at $10 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 140702542732 Feb 19, 2012 sold at $16.05 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 390513654831 Dec 29, 2012 sold at $9.99 [AS17UNK1]
    eBay item no. 141030177201 Aug 11, 2013 sold at $9.95 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 161094885543 Sep 2, 2013 sold at $13.50 [AS17UNK1]
    eBay item no. 111486942033 Oct 23, 2014 sold at $11.62 [AS17UNK1]
    eBay item no. 171736090646 Mar 28, 2015 sold at $25 [AS17UNK1]
    eBay item no. 171736086902 Mar 28, 2015 sold at $25 [AS17UNK2]
    eBay item no. 171736086902 Jan 17, 2022 sold at $10.51 [AS17UNK2]

[4] Sales of Space Spinoff patches :
    eBay item no. 361037794775 Sep 7, 2014 sold at $49

[5] Sales of oversize Hilborn Hamburger [ex-AS17UNK3] patches :
    eBay item no. 171532814007 Nov 13, 2014 sold at $77.59
    Lunar Legacies auction lot no. 502 Nov 19, 2016 sold at $142.80
    eBay item no. 253627964008 May 16, 2018 sold at $229
    eBay item no. 332730552739 Jul 30, 2018 sold at $143.50
    eBay item no. 283838483700 Apr 5, 2020 sold at $90 (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 283838483700 Apr 5, 2020 sold at $90 (offer accepted)
    eBay item no. 255188639077 Oct 28, 2021 sold at $269

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