Gemini 8

The Gemini 8 crew patch can be clearly seen in these closeups from preflight portrait photo S66-27513.

This patch may have been produced in extremely limited quantities^[1].

The Crew Patch

Gemini 8 Crew Patch

Worn by crew?

Yes. The crew wore these patches on their space suits during the mission.

Flown?

Yes. Worn on their space suits, and also carried as souvenirs^[2].

Manufacturer:

Texas Art Embroidery.

Distribution:

Likely limited to the crew and NASA.

Dimensions:

Approx. 3" / 77mm

Type:

Partially embroidered on white twill. Merrowed edge.

Scarcity:

Extremely rare. Only one (flown) example has been seen in recent years.

Value:

Impossible to estimate.

This patch appears to have been made by Texas Art Embroidery but possibly only in sample quantities. A single example in the collection of TAE founder Ed Sheinberg differs slightly from the crew version but was close enough that they were almost certainly the manufacturers of the crew patch.

Most souvenir versions of the patch overlook the fact that the symbols at the bottom are not "IIVIII" but the Gemini symbol followed by "VIII" for the mission number. The left and right upright parts of the Gemini symbol curve inwards, as can be seen on the crew patch.

Other Embroidered Mission Patches

AB Emblem 2010 Replica patch

Worn by crew?

No.

Flown?

No.

Manufacturer:

A-B Emblem

Distribution:

Available commercially.

Dimensions:

Approx 3" / 80mm

Type:

Partially embroidered on dark blue twill. Stitched border with cut edge.

Scarcity:

Limited production run.

Value:

On sale at approx $7.

A high quality modern replica of the Gemini 8 crew patch, produced by AB Emblem in 2010 in collaboration with Gene Dorr.

Eagle One Aerospace Replica patch

Worn by crew?

No.

Flown?

No.

Manufacturer:

Eagle One Aerospace / Cargo Bay Emblems.

Distribution:

Was available commercially.

Dimensions:

3½" / 90mm

Type:

Partially embroidered on white twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.

Scarcity:

Uncommon.

Value:

Unknown.

A fair replica of the Crew Patch, but the left two characters towards the bottom are shown as Roman numerals rather than the in-curving Gemini symbol of the original.

AB Emblem souvenir patch

Worn by crew?

No.

Flown?

No.

Manufacturer:

A-B Emblem.

Distribution:

Sold commercially.

Dimensions:

Approx. 3" / 75mm.

Type:

Partially embroidered on white twill. Merrowed edge with 'tail'.

Scarcity:

Common.

Value:

Minimal value.

The AB Emblem souvenir patch for the mission has no outlining around the Roman numerals and uses a straight "II" instead of the in-curving Gemini symbol for the left two characters.

Unknown manufacturer patch [GT8UNK1]

Worn by crew?

No.

Flown?

No.

Manufacturer:

Unknown.

Distribution:

Unknown.

Dimensions:

Approx. 3" / 75mm.

Type:

Fully embroidered, cut edge.

Scarcity:

Very rare.

Value:

Unknown.

The sole example I've seen to-date of this patch from an unknown manufacturer appeared in a collection of vintage Gemini crew patches. It seems likely the patch was produced by the manufacturer of some of the recognized Gemini crew and crew souvernir patches, but perhaps didn't get beyond the sample stage.

Footnotes

[1] Donnis Willis has reported that Dave Scott told him only four examples of this particular patch were produced.

[2] Heritage Auctions September 21, 2007 lot 25074 at $7170 (inc buyer's fees) [FLOWN]
This example was given to Joe Garino by Dave Scott after the flight, and Garino stated that it was flown. The patch looks to neat to have been sewn to a suit, which would make it a flown souvenir.