Buzz Aldrin sells famous felt-tip pen that helped launch Apollo from the Moon
A felt-tip pen and a broken circuit breaker switch used during the Apollo 11 mission were auctioned for over $850,000. These items were instrumental in allowing Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong to ignite the ascent engine and return to Earth.
Why it matters
The sale highlights the immense historical and collector value placed on artifacts from humanity's first lunar landing.
“Disaster averted” auctioned Buzz Aldrin sells famous felt-tip pen that helped launch Apollo from the Moon While an impressive sale, the pen and switch did not break records.
3 Sotheby's auctioned the broken circuit breaker switch and felt-tip pen for $867,000 on July 15, 2026. Both were central to a possible disaster during the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission. Credit: Sotheby's Sotheby's auctioned the broken circuit breaker switch and felt-tip pen for $867,000 on July 15, 2026. Both were central to a possible disaster during the Apollo 11 Moon landing mission. Credit: Sotheby's Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav A dried-out felt-tip marker and a snapped-off piece of molded black plastic sold for $857,600 at a Sotheby’s auction on Wednesday.
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