Neil Armstrong’s collection heading to auction

Admirers of CINCINNATI — Neil Armstrong and space exploration have a chance to own artifacts andmementos that belonged to themodest man who became a global hero by becoming the first humantowalk on the moon.

The personal collection of Armstrong, who died in his native Ohio in 2012, will be offered for sale in a series of auctions handled by Auctions, beginning Nov .1-2 and continuing in May and November 2019. The collection includes a variety of artifacts from Armstrong’s 1969 lunar landing and private mementos that include pieces of a wing and propeller fromthe 1903 Wright Brothers Flyer that the astronaut took with him to the moon.

Other items that went to the moon with Armstrong include aU.S. flag, the largest size typically flown during Apollo missions; a United Nations flag; various state flags; and some Robbins Medallions. The sterling silver medallions were paid for by the crews of Apollo missions andwere available for purchase only by NASA astronauts. Armstrong’s collection also includes a rare gold medallion.

Amongthemore personal items to be auctioned are a PurdueUniversity centennial flag fromArmstrong’s alma mater that traveled on Apollo 11 and his Boy Scout cap.

Armstrong’s son, Mark Armstrong, said his father never talked to him about what he wanted done with the large amount of items he kept. “I don’t think he spent much time thinking about it,” Armstrong said. “He did save all the items, so he obviously felt they were worth saving.”

Armstrong, who lives in suburban Cincinnati, said his father did keep all of his “flown” items together.

The Armstrongs turned to Sarasota, Florida-based Collectibles Authentication Guaranty for help with preserving and authenticating the artifacts and memorabilia and chose Heritage Auctions for the sales.