Question 1

Provenance

Accepted Answer

These plates come from the Charlie Duke signed Apollo 16 Lunar Module Orbit Monitor Chart (SKB 32100122-384, Training Copy #5) sold by RR Auction in 2020.  It consists of twenty-four 7.75" x 10.5" numbered photographic plates of the lunar surface as seen from Lunar Module "Orion" during the descent to Descartes.  Each plate features critical landmarks that helped the crew orient during descent, along with estimated time to landing, orbital position, and distance scales.  As a training-used item, these maps would have been consulted frequently for crew preparation and familiarization prior to the mission.
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Each map plate comes with an Orbital Artifacts COA detailing the item's provenance, copies of the original auction records, and an attestation from Orbital Artifacts that the plate derives from the training-used Orbit Monitor chart described in the supporting documentation.

Question 2

Signing and Inscriptions

Accepted Answer

Duke's signing fees are included in the price of each plate.  He will sign each item "Charlie Duke, Apollo 16 LMP" and add an annotation of up to 10 words (if longer, there will be an additional $5 charge per word).  As per his general policy, he will not endorse any items sent to him by mail, so please do not request inscriptions such as "used in training" or "from my personal collection".  All inscriptions are also subject to approval by Duke.  If he has an issue with anything, we'll let you know (and you can either change your requested inscription or cancel the order).
 
After purchasing your plate, it will be mailed to Duke for signing. This process will necessarily delay shipping of your item, as it will need to be sent to Duke, signed, then returned to me. Once I've received the signed item, it will be sent you along with the COA and all supporting documents.
 
If you'd prefer to buy an unsigned map and mail it to him yourself, just let me know and we'll subtract his $150 signing fee.

Note: Orbital Artifacts is not responsible for any errors (misspellings, inaccuracies, etc) that might occur while Duke is signing the plate.  By purchasing this item, you accept the possibility that the inscription could have an error, be written in a way you don't like, etc.  That said, Duke is a very good and consistent signer, and takes a lot of care to ensure the results are as nice as possible.

Question 3

Timeline & Shipping

Accepted Answer

Duke usually signs and returns items promptly, but we are at the mercy of his schedule (as well as the postal system) so slight delays are possible.  Our goal is to have each map on its way to the buyer within one month of purchase—and probably much sooner!  If there's any delay, we will update you accordingly.

Question 4

Guarantee

Accepted Answer

As with every item we sell, each map plate is 100% guaranteed to be as-described, and we back this with a lifetime guarantee of authenticity (warranted to the original purchaser).

Question 5

Disclaimer

Accepted Answer

Charlie Duke is in no way involved in this offering.  As a convenience to our customers, Orbital Artifacts is sending these items to Duke for signing at his usual through-the-mail fee.  His signing of the item does not represent an endorsement of the item, this sale, or the OrbitalArtifacts.com website.

Note: Orbital Artifacts is not responsible for any errors (misspellings, inaccuracies, etc) that might occur while Duke is signing the plate. By purchasing this item, you accept the possibility that the inscription could have an error, be written in a way you don't like, etc. That said, Duke is a very good and consistent signer, and takes a lot of care to ensure the results are as nice as possible.

Apollo 16 Lunar Orbit Chart Map Plates (Training-Used)

Signed and Inscribed by Apollo 16 LMP Charlie Duke!

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