von Braun, Wernher (1966) ‘History of Rocketry and Space Travel’, US signed and inscribed first edition

Wernher von Braun & Frederick Ordway III (1966) ‘History of Rocketry & Space Travel‘, US first edition, first printing, published by Crowell. Signed and inscribed by von Braun on the half-title page: “To Miss Eleonore Leech and Miss Marion Leech  with best wishes – Wernher von Braun”.  The recipients were sisters from Washington DC.

Condition: the book is fine bar slight ageing/ toning to the pages commensurate with age. There are no previous owners’ scribbles inside. The dust jacket has a few tears and edge wear.

Genuinely signed copies are exceptionally scarce, especially of true first editions of this book. During von Brauns lifetime three editions of this book have been issued, but this is the true first edition as issued in 1966.

Wernher von Braun needs no introduction. Without him the Apollo moon landings would not have happened. Authentic signatures of von Braun are exceptionally scarce. ‘History of Rocketry’ was his most popular book and during his life time three editions were published with the last edition published in 1975 which covered the moon landing as well.