Astronauts and Aviation

LS to New York Governor-Elect Hugh Carey recommending someone for a position in the Governor’s new administration. The December 11, 1974 letter was written as Senator-Elect and is boldly signed in blue. There is a circle drawn around a name in the text, certainly as a reference mark to route Glenn’s letter with the candidate’s application or file. [#4967]

A stunning, historic signed photo of the earliest days of the space program. Soon after the selection of America’s first group of astronauts the seven men visited the White House to meet with President John Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson. This rare 8 x 10 black and white photo had been signed on the large white signature margin by three of the space pioneers: Walter Schirra, Gordon Cooper and Scott Carpenter. The original seven astronauts, who also included Alan Shepard, Gus Grissom, Deke Slayton and John Glenn are also pictured on the first step behind Kennedy and Johnson. The photo and signatures are in excellent condition.

It is uncommon to find signed photos of the early astronauts with Kennedy or Johnson. This outstanding souvenir of the early space program records one of Kennedy’s crowning achievements as the President who challenged America to land a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Group photos signed by two or more of the earliest astronauts are very desirable. There is plenty of room on the signature margin to add Glenn’s signature.

Nice 8 x 10 color publicity photo of Jim Irwin saluting the flag at the Hadley-Apennine base of the Apollo 15 lunar landing. The sentiment "His Love from the moon" is pre-printed and Irwin has then added his personal signature and the dedication "Julie". Irwin, while generous with autograph responses often saved time by using photos and pamphlets with facsimile messages to which he then simply added a dedication and signature. As the first moon walker to die his signed photos are not as common as most others. In excellent condition. [#4296]

Barbara Morgan – astronaut. Morgan was the backup to Christa McAuliffe on the Challenger Mission. She became the first teacher in space on a completed mission. She has signed this official NASA color phoot “To Dick Daoust wth best wishes Barbara R. Morgan.” It is accompanied with a signed letter on NASA letterhead signed by her with a personalized postscript. The pair are in excellent condition. [#3748]

Wally Schirra – one of the 7 original astronauts, signed photo. Schirra is pictured in front of his Mercury 8 space capsule. The photo has been window cut matted and Schirra has added a nice non-personalized inscription about the flight: “E7=the sum of many engineering efforts. They culminated in the successful Mercury 8 mission of 3 October 1962. Wally Schirra.” E7 represented his capsule name (Sigma 7) with the E being the Greek letter for the English letter S. The matting is 11 x 14. The black felt writing against the white matting makes for an exceptional contrast and unblemished example of his handwriting and autograph. It is ready to drop in a frame for an unusually striking signed photo.

Al Worden – Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot of Apollo 15. A signed photo with a non-personalized message about astronaut training. “The key to a successful flight is the preparations. Hours and hours of training gave us the skills and confidence to go to the moon in safety. Al Worden Apollo 15.” The 8 x 10 NASA photo of Worden is mounted in a window cut matting and Worden’s signed message is on the matting, providing an exceptional contrast and unblemished example of his handwriting and signature. The image is roughly 8 x 10 and the matting is 11 x 15 ½.