DALLAS — The largest American flag aboard the most important flight in the history of the US Space program, owned and signed by the mission’s command module pilot, soared to $162,500 to lead Heritage Auctions’ Space Exploration Signature® Auction to $2,591,768 June 2-3. The result for the Apollo 11-flown American flag, signed and certified by Michael Collins directly from his personal collection with accompanying signed certificate and CAG certification, reached a new stratosphere at more than four times its estimate to lead the nearly sold-out event, which drew 1,755 bidders in pursuit of more than 1,000 lots and generated sell-through rates of better than 99 percent by value and by lots sold. Collins famously flew the first manned mission to reach the moon aboard Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. Written in black ink on the Collectibles Authentication Guaranty-certified silk flag, “Carried to the Moon on Apollo XI, July 1969- /Michael Collins CMP.” At 17¾ by 11½ inches, it is the largest flag size typically flown by Apollo missions, kept by Collins as a treasured souvenir of the historic mission. Price quoted includes the buyer’s premium as reported by the auction house. Further coverage of this stellar sale to follow in future issue.