1972 Photographic Print "APOLLO 17 liftoff on December 7, 1972"

1972 Photographic Print "APOLLO 17 liftoff on December 7, 1972" is a vintage Lithographs / Prints artifact by Unattributed (Likely NASA Public Affairs or authorized contractor) from 1972, preserved in The Record Institute Ephemera Archive.

Category: Lithographs / Prints

Brand: Unattributed (Likely NASA Public Affairs or authorized contractor)

Year: 1972

Rarity Class: C

Last updated: October 27, 2026

Captured in the blinding glare of a midnight ignition, this vintage 1972 photographic print documents the fiery departure of Apollo 17—the final crewed mission to the Moon. Bearing a stark, authoritative caption in its lower margin, the artifact serves as a visceral testament to the twilight of the Apollo era, freezing a singular moment of technological triumph against the dark Florida sky.

Quick Read

Historic Finality: Depicts the exact moment of liftoff for Apollo 17, the final crewed mission to the Moon, on December 7, 1972. Unique Illumination: Captures the only night launch of a Saturn V rocket in the Apollo program, resulting in a dramatic, high-contrast visual composition. Institutional Origin: The stark, sans-serif caption ("APOLLO 17 liftoff on December 7, 1972 at 12:33 a.m. (EST).") indicates distribution by NASA or an aerospace contractor for press or educational use. Physical Evidence: Shows authentic signs of age, including margin toning and a prominent diagonal surface crease in the lower right quadrant.

Summary

Captured in the blinding glare of a midnight ignition, this vintage 1972 photographic print documents the fiery departure of Apollo 17—the final crewed mission to the Moon. Bearing a stark, authoritative caption in its lower margin, the artifact serves as a visceral testament to the twilight of the Apollo era, freezing a singular moment of technological triumph against the dark Florida sky.

Vintage color photographic print depicting the night launch of a Saturn V rocket. The rocket is engulfed in massive, bright orange and white exhaust plumes that illuminate the dark sky and reflect on a body of water in the foreground. A white margin at the bottom contains the printed text: "APOLLO 17 liftoff on December 7, 1972 at 12:33 a.m. (EST)." A prominent diagonal scratch or crease is visible in the lower right quadrant of the image.