LONDON, Aug. 20 (Xinhua) -- A rare photograph of the first moon landing, hidden from view for almost half a century, sold at an auction in England Saturday for 6,800 U.S. dollars.
The photograph, measuring just 18 centimeters across, was autographed by the crew of the U.S. Apollo 11.
Auctioneers, Henry Aldridge and Son in Devizes, Wiltshire, said it had been bought by a space museum in the United States.
The auction catalogue gave a guide-list for the small photograph of between 1,300 U.S. dollars and 2,000 U.S. dollars.
The photograph shows the lunar module Eagle descending to the surface of the moon with the earth in the background. It was signed by astronauts Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins and Buzz Aldrin during their promotional trip to London in October 1969.
It was sold with a copy of the astronaut's itinerary to meet British Prime Minister Harold Wilson and Queen Elizabeth.
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said the photograph was autographed by the three astronauts as a thank you to British resident John Cleland who lent them limousines for their one-day visit to Britain on Oct. 14, 1969.
Aldridge said: "He had been contacted by the American Embassy as his car firm marketed a Ford based stretch limousine which the astronauts preferred to the more traditional Rolls (Royce) or Daimler. When the American Embassy asked for a bill he said it was an honor to be part of such a prestigious visit and in no way would he accept payment. So they gave him the signed photograph."
The sale also included a letter of provenance signed by the widow of John Cleveland.
The photograph was taken by crew member Mike Collins who stayed in the spacecraft while Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin landed the lunar module on the Moon.
Armstrong was the first man to put a foot on the moon, saying those iconic words "One small step for man one giant step for mankind".
The photograph shows the lunar module on its way to the moon from the spacecraft, with the earth appearing as the "little planet in the distance".
Auctioneer Andrew Aldridge said: "To have all three astronauts autograph a photo is unusual. But to have them signing a photo of the Eagle module only months after arriving back on Earth in October 1969 is exceptional."
