(lot) Framed State of Texas flag and football drawing carried to the moon aboard U.S. space mission, Apollo 16, April 16-April 27, 1972 signed with penciled sentiment reading "To Darrell, A big salute from Descartes to a great friend. I could not quite come up with a Hook'um Horns sign, Charlie", (see photo with his right hand raised); signed: "John Young", "Ken Mattingly", "Charlie Duke", a printed quotation: "There is nothing so far removed from us so as to be beyond our reach, or so hidden that we cannot discover it, Rene Descartes-1637", together with (1) notarized letter dated November 10, 1994 confirming that "It was also my privilege to carry to the lunar surface a small Texas flag measuring 6 by 4 and 1/4 inches and a University of Texas Longhorn painted cloth with polychrome footballs measuring 7" by 7" (initialed by artist Arthur P. Watson). These I mounted on a mat and presented to you when I returned to earth. Charles Duke did carry the above referenced items to the moon and presented them to Darrell Royal, signed Charles M. Duke Jr., Apollo 16 Astronaut, Brig. Gen. USAF (ret); (1) a letter dated February 17, 1999 from Charles M. Duke Jr, reiterating the 1994 letter, (12) casual photos taken at NASA, Houston including astronauts Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon, Alan Bean ?, mission control room, Darrell and Edith Royal, Charles Duke; (2) receipts from The Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum when this was lent for temporary display by Edith Royal; (4) cut newspaper articles relative to the Astronauts; (1) paper name tag: "LBJ Library & Museum, Apollo 8 Reunion, Marilyn Lovell"; (1) Kennedy Space Center, NASA, name tag with Apollo 16 logo, frame: 21"h, 23.25"w, 8.75lbs** Note: In 2009 the collection was lent by the Royal's to the LBJ Presidential Library for an exhibit titled "To the Moon: The American Space Program in the 1960's". The reference to Descartes is not only to the French philosopher (Rene Descartes, 1596-1650), but to a named moon crater near the landing sight of Apollo 16 in the Descartes Highlands ****Provenance: From the private collection of Coach Darrell K and Mrs. Edith Royal**Darrell K Royal (b. 1924), former All American football player and “The Coach”, the winningest coach in the University of Texas Longhorns football history (1954-1976)**Mrs. Edith Royal, The First Lady of Texas Football is well known for her advocacy of drug and alcohol rehabilitation**A portion of the proceeds from this auction will be donated to the DKR Alzheimer’s Fund** Start Price: $10,000.00