A Lunar model of Space Race Propaganda This model is an intriguing artifact of the Space Race Era . It documents two World Powers competing to be the first on the moon. Celebrating technological achievement, the USSR published this moon globe, showing the terrain recorded by automatic planetary station Lunik 3 in October 1959. For the first time parts of the dark side of the moon have been revealed to the human eye. Never visible from Earth, this was a first. Note the unrecorded areas are left blank, Lunik 3 did not quite conquer the entire moon. The map is labeled, showing showing the point of impact of Soviet moon rocket Lunik 2 on September 13, 1959, lunar mares and craters. Formations not visible from Earth (dark side of the moon) are marked in red. The Lunik 3 event catapulted the newly created NASA into the public, striving to beat the USSR in future Space Missions....and so the Race began... Ever promised someone the moon? Here's an opportunity to fulfill the promise, Soviet style..... The sale of this model is recorded to be a Skinner Auction House in 2007- Lot 660 for $1000 About the manufacture: Paul Raeth (1881-1929) began producing Globes c1917 in Leipzig, Germany. After WW2 the area became part of East Germany and under USSR occupation. During that period Raeth became the largest Globe manufacture in the Eastern Block of Europe. The company was the first to produce an “accurate” moon globe based on the pictures the Russian Satellite Lunik 3 took in 1959. Active through the cold war era, the company was sold several times once Germany re-united, however Raeths no longer exists. Description: The pasteboard 13 inch diameter orb is made up of twelve photographic printed gores labeled in red ( non visible to the earth) and black (visible to earth), showing point of impact of Soviet moon rocket Lunik 2 on September 13, 1959, lunar mares and craters and more. The orb is mounted into a stamped aluminum half meridian, which is connected to a minimalistic fruit wood base. Overall height is about 20 inches. Condition: The artifact has been well maintained, only minor wear in form of soiling and scuffing. We will ship you the moon well packed for $25 domestic, $65 world wide. $485 — Item : 314MOON59