January 25th Rare Autograph & Book Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/25/2024
This according to the Houston Chronicle which showed the same photo on the front page is the very first photo taken of the Mercury astronauts taken together on (4 July 1962). The original seven Mercury astronauts, each wearing new cowboy hats and a badge in the shape of a star, are pictured on stage at the Sam Houston Coliseum. A large crowd was on hand to welcome them to Houston, Texas. Left to right are astronauts M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper Jr., John H. Glenn Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, Walter M. Schirra Jr., Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Donald K. Slayton, Walter C. Williams who was the associate director of the Manned Spacecraft Center.
The size of the photo is 11"x14", and the signatures are bold, Grissom's signature is believed to be possibly secretarial all other signatures are by the astronauts. Gordan Copper's signature is faded but still evident. Photo condition does have a vertical crease that is not that noticeable and some scattered surface marks on the edges and in a few areas on the photo.
The Mercury Seven were the group of seven astronauts selected to fly spacecraft for Project Mercury. They are also referred to as the Original Seven and Astronaut Group 1. Their names were publicly announced by NASA on April 9, 1959; these seven original American astronauts were Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. The Mercury Seven created a new profession in the United States, and established the image of the American astronaut for decades to come.
With One of a Kind Collectibles LOA. With Full JSA LOA.
Rare! First Photo of Mercury 7 Astronauts taken together in Houston Signed by 6! Oversized 11"x14"
Click above for larger image.