Rare vintage lot of two U-matic video cassettes documenting the early Space Shuttle Columbia missions. These appear to be period broadcast/news recordings and edited material dating from 1981-1982, making this an unusual piece of early Space Shuttle and television broadcasting history.
The black Cable 6 San Francisco / Viacom Cablevision cassette is labeled “SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA,” “Recorded from CBS, CNN, etc.,” and “APRIL 1981,” with a prominent “DO NOT EVER ERASE” notation. The cassette itself also identifies it as property of Ralph Kalatucka.
The blue Maxell KCA 30 U-matic cassette is labeled “Space Shuttle Columbia Missions I, II, III,” “Condensed versions, Edited from various Network Feeds,” and “RF Dub of Edited Master,” dated July 2, 1981. An enclosed typed program sheet lists:
Mission I - 4/12/81 - Young/Crippen - 30 mins
Mission II - Aborted Attempt - 4 mins
Mission II - 11/12/81 - Engle/Truly - 20 mins
Mission III - 3/22/82 - Lousma/Fullerton - 10 mins
Video montage courtesy of ABC Nightline
The Maxell cassette label itself lists condensed footage from Columbia Missions I, II and III.
Both tapes include their original-style protective cases as pictured. They show age-related cosmetic wear, discoloration, marks and label wear consistent with vintage archival media.
These tapes have not been played or tested, so the actual recorded contents, playback quality and completeness cannot be guaranteed. They are being sold as found and as collectible vintage media. Please review all photos carefully for labels, dates and physical condition.
A particularly interesting lot for collectors of NASA, Space Shuttle Columbia, STS-1, early spaceflight, vintage television broadcasting, U-matic video and archival media.
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