First Lunar Bible

Description

This microfilm Bible is one of 101 copies carried to the lunar surface by Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Edgar D. Mitchell. The Bible was produced by the Apollo Prayer League, a group of NASA engineers, scientists, administrators and astronauts, Bible societies in 57 different countries and commercial Bible publishers participated in creating a milt-version Bible on Microform. The project was headed by Apollo Prayer League Director, Reverend John M. Stout, who worked closely with the astronauts and NASA personnel. The microfilm contains all 1,245 pages of the King James Bible Edition 715 published by World Publishing, which can easily be read under a microscope and represents the first Bible ever landed on the lunar surface. Three attempts were made to land a lunar Bible on the moon before it finally made lunar landfall. The shield is comprised of the biblical shield of faith accented with pave diamonds and a Brazilian garnet. The horses on either side symbolize readiness in service. Holly leaves held in their mouths represent truth. The biblical shield is topped with a crown with the initials "APL" for the Apollo Prayer League in whose name the Bible was carried by Apollo 14 Lunar Module Pilot Edgar D. Mitchell. The cross of Christ rises up from the crown embellished and passes vertically down through the entire piece transforming as it emerges beneath the shield into the powerful sword of spirit. The microfilm lunar Bible housing is 5.75" w x 4.75" h and .2" to 315" d sealed with 24 karat gold and accented with diamonds and a garnet. A high-intensity lacquer is used to enhance and protect the piece. The encasement dimensions are 39 3/8" w x 19 3/4" h x 1 f/8" d. It is estimated that less than 20 serialized lunar-landed microfilm Bibles are in circulation today, many held in private collections. Estimated value of the rare artifacts is $50,000 to $75,000 each. On either side of the framed lunar Bible is a signed certification of the authenticity of the Bible and photos of the Apollo 14 landing, wiuth Edgar Mitchell and Rev. Stout. Accompanying the framed microfilmed Bible is a leatherette folder containing the following: * Photo of John M. Stout at Cape Canaveral, 1964 *Photo of Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchel presenting first lunar Bible to Rev. John Stout after his release from quarantine *2009 photo of Rev. Stout *Photo of Rev. Stout and Carol Mersch *John Stout affidavit on the authenticity and history of the lunar Bible *Apollo 15 "Genesis Rock"

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