MIDTOWN — Hundreds of space-traveled items are being sold Tuesday at an auction, including a safety belt used by Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean — which auctioneers swear is still coated with lunar dust.
“The Space History Sale,” running until 1 p.m. in Bonhams at 850 Madison Ave., is accepting bids for more than 230 space items, including a large collection of objects that belonged to Bean, the organizer said.
Apollo 12 was the second mission to put a man on the moon and astronaut Bean served as the lunar module pilot during the 1969 expedition.
The collection of his belongings includes his safety belt and a water dispenser used to rehydrate food and extinguish fires. The price for both items starts at $60,000, according to a written release about the event.
Other artifacts include a mix of dehydrated peaches, grapefruit mix and spaghetti — Bean's favorite space meal — and stainless steal spoons that all traveled with Bean. Price for the set starts between $50,000 and $80,000, the organizer said.
A 13-page checklist detailing procedures of Gemini 4 mission, which included man's first space walk, begins between $80,000 and $120,000.
Meteorite stones as well as photos, postcards and a flag signed by astronauts will be on sale beginning at $500.
Anyone is welcome to bid, either by registering online or by going to Bonhams at 580 Madison Ave. The auction will be broadcasted live and is expected to last until 1 p.m., a Bonhams' spokeswoman said.
