Lot 1759

Book: 'The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual' by Kerry Mark Joel and Gregory P. Kennedy, Ballantine Books, New York, 1982. First trade paper edition with the numbers 10 to 1 in reverse order, 154 pages. This book was published as an informative work to explain how the Space Shuttle works and was operated. With gift inscription in pen to Rudolf Spoor on the first title page by Frederick C. Durant: 'To Rudolf/ old friend and colleague/with every great wish/ From Frederick D./ 22 Jan '83'. Frederick Clark Durant III, (December 31, 1916- October 21, 2015) was an American author, naval test pilot, chemical engineer, and expert in rocketry and spaceflight. Durant served as a "key advisor" to U.S. military, intelligence, and space-flight programs, playing a central role in Project Orbiter, the first US satellite program. Durant was Assistant Director for Astronautics of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and one of the world’s foremost authorities of spaceflight and rocketry. Rare with this provenance and signature!