apollo xi

This set of two patches, mounted in a glossy brochure is from an unknown source, and unknown distrubution, perhaps mail order. The patches are sourced from Lion Brothers. Curiously, of all the examples of this set seen, the hard to find orange bordered Apollo 11 version is present. 

Another version has been identified as being provided by Breast O' Chicken. 

This Apollo 11 patch is part of a set of modern reproduction Apollo patches produced by Cape Kennedy Medals. This is one version of apparently two different Apollo 11 patches produced by Cape Kennedy Medals around the same time.

Lion Brothers produced a subset of 3" patches that comemmorate several aspects of the Apollo 11 launch. 
This one is for the "Recovery Fleet". 

Commemorating Apollo 11. This patch is virtually identical to the Cape Kennedy Medals version. The threading is identical to the A-B Emblem version. Both back. 

Commemorative patch for the USS Hornet Apollo 11 recovery. 

Either a modern issue or a modern reproduction based on the embroidery style.

Modern commemorative patch

This is a modern reproduction patch with a curious cracked lunar surface and distinct feather hints on the eagle. Vacuum-sealed back.

This Apollo 11 patch is part of a set of modern reproduction Apollo patches produced by Cape Kennedy Medals. This is one version of apparently two different Apollo 11 patches produced by Cape Kennedy Medals around the same time. This one is of poorer detail. 

This Swissartex Apollo 11 patch has distinctive coloration. It also comes with two types of backings, a waxy matte plastic coated backing & a shiny vacuum sealed backing.

This is the 3 1/2" Lion Brothers Apollo 11 patch. Bare cloth back.

Crudely stitched, unknown maker, modern embroidery.

This version has a cut-edge and is very crudly embroidered. There is also a distinctive gold thread in the lunar crater stitching.

This is the blue border varient of the Universal Commemorative Apollo 11 patch. 

Bare cloth back. 

This is a modern reproduction of the original Apollo 11 Lunar Team patch. There are minor differences in the letter stitching and embroidery styles. 

Curiously, this Apollo 11 patch has "Aldrin" mispelled as "Alden".

This patch was acquired at auction. It is of modern manufacture as evident by the stitching methods and clear plastic back. However, this may be the most accurately rendered Apollo 11 patch to date. The colors closely resemble that of the original artwork (last photo) and the beta cloth emblem. Quantity and manufacturer unknown.

I have never seen this particular line of Lion Brothers' Apollo emblems before. Marketed under their "Put-Ons" emblems line, Lion Brothers produced these Apollo 11, Apollo 12, Apollo 13 and Apollo 14 patches. There may be others, but these are the only one's I have seen. The 3" Apollo 11 patch differs from the other 3" Apollo 11 patches from Lion Brothers. Had these not been in their original packaging, they would probably have not been able to be associated with Lion Brothers.

This version of the Universal Commemorative patch was issued (at least in some cases) as a mail-away with a printed envelope and mounted on an information card. This envelope was cancelled in 1969.

The patch is 4" in diameter.

The origin of this patch is unknown. The construction and embroidery lean toward a vintage construction. 

Bare cheesecloth backing.

In the confusing realm of patch makers, it often comes down to the original packaging to determine who made exactly what. 

The Swissartex version of this patch can be identified by the number of "points" in the foremost craters, with 6 instead of the 10 or more of the other versions.

This is the modern variation of the "First Lunar Landing of Mankind" commemorative patch, originally made by both A-B Emblem and Cape Kennedy Medals. 

This is a variation of the "First Lunar Landing of Mankind" commemorative patch made by both A-B Emblem and Cape Kennedy Medals. 

The red "(c) 1969 ND" is completely missing and the main stitching is slightly thicker. 

This is a variation of the "First Lunar Landing of Mankind" commemorative patch made by both A-B Emblem and Cape Kennedy Medals.

The red "(c) 1969 ND" has been replaced with a white "1969" and the main stitching is slightly thicker. There is also another version with slightly thinner lettering.

This is a variation of the "First Lunar Landing of Mankind" commemorative patch made by both A-B Emblem and Cape Kennedy Medals. 

The red "(c) 1969 ND" has been replaced with a white "1969" and the main stitching is slightly thicker. There is also another version with even thicker lettering.

Commemorating Apollo 11. This patch is virtually identical to the Cape Kennedy Medals version. 

This is a nicely detailed Apollo 11 patch that is readily identified by how the Earth is stitched as well as the distinct pattern in the tail of the eagle. Often this patch can be found in the Needle Painters Guild framed series along with 3 other A-B Emblem patches.

Comes with plastic or bare cloth back.

The stiching on this Apollo 11 patch is somewhat crude, produced by Universal Commemorative of LA

This Apollo 1 patch is identified by the velvet backing and distinct stitching on the moon's surface.

A slightly more rare version of the regular Apollo 11 Lion Brothers issue that has an orange border (as well as beak and feet).  Appears on eBay about twice a month, sometimes hard to differentiate due to the camera and lighting used to photograph it.

Lion Brothers produced a subset of 3" patches that comemmorate several aspects of the Apollo 11 launch. 
This one is for the "Mission Support". 

Lion Brothers produced a subset of 3" patches that comemmorate several aspects of the Apollo 11 launch. 
This one is for the "Launch Team". 

This Apollo 11 patch is a modern reproduction as made for the Willabee & Ward mission emblem set. The lunar surface has a distinctive linear pattern.