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Patches worn by the Gemini 6 crew

Two distinct versions of the Gemini 6 mission logo artwork were created, reflecting the change in the objective of the mission itself.

The original GTA-6 version (shown in the top images on the right), showed the Gemini 6 spacecraft performing a rendezvous with an Agena target vehicle but when the Agena launch failed the Gemini 6 mission had to be rethought.

When the mission was finally launched with the modified objective of performing a rendezvous with Gemini 7 a new modified patch design was used (shown in the lower images on the right) with the Agena replaced by the Gemini 7 spacecraft.

Embroidered versions of both designs were created for the crew but prior to that, for the formal Gemini 6 crew portrait sessions the crew wore a version of the GTA-6 design that was actually printed (perhaps on leather).

The Crew Patches

Patch id:

Gemini 6A embroidered Crew Patch

Worn by crew? Yes. The crew wore these patches on their space suits for the first launch attempt. Gemini 6A crew patch
Flown? Yes. Carried as souvenirs during the actual mission[1].
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Distribution: Produced exclusively for the crew.
Dimensions: Approx. 4½ x 3¼" / 112 x 83mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill. Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity: Extremely rare.
Value: An unflown example recently sold for $943[2].
Notes: The original crew patch showed the Agena spacecraft near the center and was titled "GTA-6" for Gemini-Titan-Agena.

The unusual appearance of the back of this patch indicates that it was likely produced by the same manufacturer as the Gemini 5 Crew Souvenir patch, the Gemini 7 Crew Souvenir patch, and the Gemini 11 Crew patch.

Patch id:

Gemini 6A printed Crew Patch

Worn by crew? Yes. The crew wore these patches on their space suits for the formal portrait photos. Gemini 6A printed crew patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Distribution: Produced exclusively for the crew.
Dimensions: Approx. 4½ x 3¼" / 112 x 83mm
Type: Printed.
Scarcity: Extremely rare.
Value: An example recently sold in 2018 for $____[3].
Notes: The crew wore these printed versions of the GTA-6 mission insignia on their space suits for the formal crew portrait session, as can be seen in S65-56188 and other photos.

The only example of this patch I have seen came from the estate of Gemini 6 Suit Tech Jim Garrepy. It has traces of sewing marks around the edges, indicating that it had been sewn to a space suit or coveralls at some stage. The material may be leather.

Patch id:

Gemini 6 Crew Patch

Worn by crew? Yes. The crew wore these patches on their space suits for the actual mission. Gemini 6 crew patch
Flown? Yes. Sewn to the space suits of the crew, and some examples were carried as souvenirs[3].
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Distribution: Produced exclusively for the crew.
Dimensions: Approx. 4" / 101mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill? Stitched border with cut edge.
Scarcity: Extremely rare.
Value: Only one unflown examples sold in recent years, fetching $1652[4].
Notes: The patches worn during the mission show the rendezvous with Gemini 7.

The unusual appearance of the back of this patch indicates that it was likely produced by the same manufacturer as the Gemini 5 Crew Souvenir patch, the Gemini 7 Crew Souvenir patch, and the Gemini 11 Crew patch.

Other Embroidered Mission Patches

Patch id:

AB Emblem 2010 Replica patch

Worn by crew? No. AB Emblem 2010 Gemini 6 replica patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: Available commercially.
Dimensions: 4 x 3½" / 102 x 89mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Limited production run.
Value: On sale at approx. $7
Notes: A high quality modern replica of the Gemini 6 crew patch, produced by AB Emblem in 2010 in collaboration with Gene Dorr.
Patch id:

Eagle One Aerospace Replica patch

Worn by crew? No. Eagle One Aerospace Gemini 6 replica patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Eagle One Aerospace / Cargo Bay Emblems
Distribution: Was available commercially.
Dimensions: 4 x 3½" / 101 x 89mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill. Stitched border
Scarcity: Uncommon.
Value: Unknown.
Notes: A nice replica of the Gemini 6 Crew Patch, identificable by the shape of the spacecraft near the center.
Patch id:

AB Emblem souvenir patch

Worn by crew? No. AB Emblem Gemini 6 souvenir patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: AB Emblem
Distribution: Sold commercially.
Dimensions: Approx. 3" / 75mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Common.
Value: Minimal value.
Notes: This is the AB Emblem souvenir patch for the mission.
Patch id:

GTA-6 Retrorocket Emblems Replica patch

Worn by crew? No. Retrorocket Emblems GTA-6 replica patch
Flown? No.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Distribution: Available commercially.
Dimensions: 4 x 3½" / 102 x 89mm
Type: Partially embroidered on black twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.
Scarcity: Limited production run (50 examples).
Value: As replica.
Notes: A high quality modern replica of the GTA-6 crew patch, produced as a limited run of 50 examples by Retrorocket Emblems in 2015.
Footnotes

[1] Wally Schirra's hand-written Personal Preference Kit list for the mission (sold through FarthestReaches.com in 2007) showed he carried 15 GTA-6 patches. No other patches were mentioned on the list.

[2] Examples of GTA-6 embroidered crew patch sales:
     Heritage Auctions lot 25068 sold Sep 21, 2007, at $3883.75 (FLOWN)
     Bonhams Space Auction Jul 16, 2009 Lot 75 no sale (FLOWN by WS).      Bonhams Space Auction lot 1086 Apr 26 2012 UNSOLD [FLOWN by WS]
     Bonhams Space Auction lot 129 Apr 8, 2014 sold at $6,875 [FLOWN by WS]
     RR Auction lot 152 Apr 22, 2014 sold at $943.25 (unflown, mounted with Schirra ISP)
     RR Auction lot 6126 Oct 20, 2016 Schirra's suit-worn mission patch & US flag patch
     Heritage Auction lot 50068 May 22, 2021 sold at $3,750 [from Chris Kraft]
     Heritage Auction lot 50136 Nov 12, 2021 sold at $3,250 [from Bill Dana]

[3] Examples of GTA-6 printed crew patch sales:
     Central Mass Auctions lot XXXX XXXXX May 31, 2018 sold at $____ [from estate of Suit Tech Jim Garrepy]

[4] Examples of GEMINI 6 crew patch sales:
     eBay item no. 260294789307 Oct 7, 2008 sold at $3375 (FLOWN by TS)
     Bonhams Space Auction Lot 74 Jul 16, 2009 sold at $3050 (FLOWN by TS)
     Bonhams Auction lot 71 May 5, 2011 sold at TBD [FLOWN by TS]
     Goldberg Space Auction lot no. 1097 Jul 10, 2011 sold at $1652 [ex Al Rochford, suit tech]
     Lunar Legacies site July 2011 sold at $2,700 [FLOWN mounted with flown heatshield lucite]
     Bonhams Space Auction lot 1087 Apr 26 2012 sold at $3,750 [FLOWN by WS]
     Bonhams Space Auction lot 128 Apr 8, 2014 sold at $7,500 [FLOWN by TS]
     Sothebys Space Auction lot 101 Nov 29, 2018 sold at $7,500 [FLOWN by TS]
     Christies Space Auction lot 32 Jul 18, 2019 sold at $5,625 [FLOWN by TS]
     RR Auction lot 8078 Apr 16, 2020 sold at $8,248.75 [FLOWN by TS]

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