< Gemini 12 Apollo 1 Apollo 7 >

Unlike all the subsequent Apollo missions, for Apollo 1 an embroidered patch was actually used on the spacesuits. It was only after the fatal fire that betaloth patches were introduced in the place of embroidered designs for the spacesuits and in-flight garments.

Details on the right from various photos show the patch in place on the crews' Apollo spacesuits.
The Crew Patch

Although it closely resembles the AB Emblem version, the patch used by the Apollo 1 crew (shown on the right) was actually manufactured by Stylized Emblem Co of Hollywood, California, as evidenced by manufacturer's stickers on the backs of some examples of the patch.

This patch is extremely scarce, with most of the examples that have come to market in the last few years being sold through specialised auctions from Deke Slayton's estate.

The most recently-sold examples from this source (which benefit from impeccable provenance) have fetched $1470[7], $896[1], $1150[2] and $1200[3], with previous examples selling for $780[4], $1035[5] and $805[6].

[1] eBay item no. 150183106593 Nov 21, 2007 sold at $895.95
[2] Regency/Superior Fall 2007 Space Auction lot 318.
[3] Regency/Superior Fall 2007 Space Auction lot 319.
[4] Regency/Superior Spring 2007 Space Auction lot 317.
[5] Regency/Superior Spring 2007 Space Auction lot 321.
[6] Regency/Superior Spring 2006 Space Auction lot 737.
[7] Swann Spring 2008 Space Auction lot 96.
Apollo 1 Mission Patch Gallery
Crew Patch AB Emblem Lion Brothers Other Manufacturers

This patch, produced by Stylized Emblem Co., is the design worn by the Apollo 1 crew on their space suits. [3½" / 90mm]

The AB Emblem patch is very close to the design worn by the crew but subtle differences such as the thread angle on the Earth and the silver color of the moon help differentiate it. [3½" / 89mm]

The Lion Brothers Apollo 1 patch is easily distinguished from the crew version by its yellow border. [3½" / 90mm]

[AS1UNK1] This patch from an unknown manufacturer looks similar in some ways to the crew patch but the stitching is more crude overall. In particular the detail on the 'snub-nose' CSM is lacking. May be from the same manufacturer as AS11UNK2 and AS12UNK4.
< Gemini 12 Apollo 7 >