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Norman Mailer, Moonfire, Lunar Rock Edition No. 1,969

$700,000

About

Collector's Edition Book: 14.4 x 17.3 in. NWA 4936: 3.54 x 2.95 x 2 in. Limited to just 12 copies, numbered 1958-1969, the Lunar Rock Edition of Norman Mailer's MoonFire is designed by Marc Newson. NWA 4936 (Paired Individual) Type: Lunar Feldspathic Impact-Melt Breccia Discovery site: Morocco Size: 90 x 75 x 51 mm Weight: 348 grams His concept was inspired by the Apollo 11 LEM (Lunar Excursion Module). Each book is contained in a case made from a single piece of aluminum- its surface an actual 3-D topography of the Moon- and comes with a unique piece of lunar rock. Meteorites from the Moon are exceptionally rare. There are fewer than 70 lunar meteorites known with a total combined weight of approximately 55 kilograms, making them millions of times rarer than gem grade diamonds. However, most lunar meteorites reside in museum collections and research institutions, leaving only 15 kilograms or so available to individual collectors worldwide. Since acquiring an Apollo moon rock is virtually impossible, the only realistic way to own a piece of the moon is by acquiring a lunar meteorite. One of the largest lunar meteorites ever discovered, this is an extremely rare find, as nearly all lunar meteorites have been cut into smaller portions for sale or study. This specimen is "paired" with NWA 4936 (discovered in 2007), which means that they were found very close to each other and have all of the same characteristics, even though they were discovered at different times. There were a total of only 4 specimens in this meteorite find. NWA 4936's uncommonly heavy density is due to an unusually high iron content and it is the first lunar meteorite whose constituents match the regolith (soil sample) returned to Earth by the Apollo 16 mission. NWA 4936 contains a large amount of free iron—so much so, that it is ferromagnetic, an extremely rare attribute of lunar specimens. A meteorite mass will often break up into several pieces upon impact with Earth's atmosphere. The main mass will receive a unique name (e.g. NWA 2995), and any "paired" fragments discovered nearby with the same composition are given the designation of "Paired Individual," as is the case for this specimen. Shipping is free of charge within the U.S. A flat rate of $100 will be charged for shipping to customers outside of the U.S.

Details

  • Creator
    Marc Newson (Designer)
  • Dimensions
    Height: 17.3 in. (43.95 cm)Width: 14.4 in. (36.58 cm)Depth: 20 in. (50.8 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques
  • Place of Origin
  • Period
  • Date of Manufacture
    2008
  • Condition
    This TASCHEN art edition comes in its original sealed packaging from Italy and Germany and has not been opened.
  • Seller Location
    Los Angeles, CA
  • Reference Number
    1stDibs: LU9681763382

Shipping & Returns

  • Shipping
    Rates vary by destination and complexity. We recommend this shipping type based on item size, type and fragility.
    Ships From: Los Angeles, CA
  • Return Policy

    This item cannot be returned.

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About Marc Newson (Designer)

With his sleek, glossy and dynamic designs, Marc Newson creates cutting-edge work that embodies notions of speed, luxury and progress. His work—be it his now-iconic Event Horizon table, an Italian speed boat, Nike shoes, or an Ikepod wristwatch—manifests a jet-set lifestyle redefined for the 21st-century.


     A Sydney native, he lived in Tokyo for several years, and currently resides in London. Newson has created everything from furniture and jewelry to sneakers and dish racks. Given his globetrotting lifestyle, it’s easy to see why one of his best-known designs is the Lockheed lounge chair—a curvy, pod-shaped piece crafted from the same riveted aluminum that encases airplanes. You may also have spotted one of Newson’s many collaborations with luxury fashion houses—such as Louis Vuitton and Hermès—in a first-class departure lounge.


     One of the most influential (and certainly one of the most prolific) industrial designers of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, Newson preaches the gospel of good design with messianic fervor. His work appears in dozens of museum collections around the world, and consistently fetches high prices at auction. Newson has long been captivated by the space-age modernism of the early sixties—indeed, his famed Embryo chair would fit right into the Jetsons’ living room. With such a long and impressive list of futuristic design bona fides, as you will see on these pages, Marc Newson is clearly a designer on the move.

About the Seller
5 / 5
Located in Los Angeles, CA
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1stDibs seller since 2013
168 sales on 1stDibs
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