Glimpses: Vintage, Fine, and Vernacular Photography
Thu, Jul 23, 2026 11:00AM EDT
Lot 80
Thirty Viking Orbiter Mars Surface Photographs. NASA, 1970s.
Estimate: $1,200 - $1,800
Unsold
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $5 |
| $30 | $10 |
| $100 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $200 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
Thirty Viking Orbiter Mars Surface Photographs. NASA, 1970s. Black-and-white gelatin silver. Group of 30 photographs depicting the Martian surface, produced from Viking Orbiter imaging data in the mid-1970s. Each print retains its original data-rich presentation format, including black borders with technical readouts, histogram charts, coordinate data, and processing information. The images show a range of Martian geological features—impact craters, volcanic plains, ridges, channels, and heavily cratered highlands—captured in orthographic and rectilinear projections.
These photographs were generated as part of NASA’s Viking program, which included the Viking 1 and 2 orbiters and landers launched in 1975. This program produced the first high-resolution global mapping of Mars and provided critical data for selecting landing sites. The prints also display characteristic MTIS (Mission Test Imaging System) run numbers and processing annotations, indicating their role in scientific analysis and mission planning.
A cohesive and visually striking archive of early Mars exploration imagery, combining scientific utility with strong graphic appeal.
Each measures approximately 8 x 8".
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