Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 113

The Manuscript and Collectibles Auction

Mercury Program

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 869		20 Outstanding Mercury/Gemini Related Signed Photos and Other Pieces: Shepard Cooper, Schirra, McDivitt and Borman. Quite the diverse collection of signed pieces by astronauts who participated in Mercury and Gemini. Included are two Alan Shepard signed Togolese Republic commemorative stamp sheets for Freedom 7, Two (2) Gordon Cooper signed 8 x 10" photo in suit and tie, 12 Wally Schirra signed 8 x 10" photos with Navy plane, family, capsule production, boat outing, splash down and space food, Two (2) James McDivitt signed 8 x 10" photos one in space suit the second view of Earth and two signed baseball like cards and one, 8 x 10" of Frank Borman in suit and tie. All pieces excellent. Superb collection for dealers and collectors. Estimated Value $900 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $780
Lot 870		36 Scarce Mercury Covers 1961-1963: With (5) Signed by J. Glenn (5) by G. Cooper (3) by S. Carpenter & (2) by W. Schirra. A fine collection of hard-to-find space covers commemorating Project Mercury and Gemini. The collection of 36 Mercury covers has five different covers signed by John Glenn and most are First Day Issues of the 4¢ Project Mercury stamp dated Feb 20, 1962. Also there are covers signed by Gordon Cooper x 5, Scott Carpenter x 3 and Wally Schirra x 2. The balance of unsigned covers commemorate Gus Grissom, Alan Shepard, and America's first two primates in space, Ham and Enos, both very scarce covers. Estimated Value $600 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $780
Lot 871		John Glenn (3 items) (1921-2016) United States Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the first American to orbit the Earth, circling it three times in 1962. Following his retirement from NASA, he served from 1974 to 1999 as a Democratic United States senator from Ohio, and in 1998 flew into space again at age 77. Collection of John Glenn autographs. 1.) Superb formal NASA color portrait from 1962 for Project Mercury. Also included are two boldly signed signatures each on 3 x 5 cards. Estimated Value $250 - UP View details and enlarged photo	Realized $125
Lot 872		John Glenn: Superb Collection of 1 Rare Flown Cover, Eight (8) Autographs and 12 Vintage Original Photographs from the 1950s (1921-2016) One of the most celebrated and decorated Marine Corps aviator, engineer, NASA astronaut and ultimately a 25 years long politician. He entered the military during WWII, flew jets during the Korean War, became a record breaking test pilot making the first supersonic transcontinental flight, followed by his record breaking speed flight nicknamed Operation Bullet, was selected as one of the seven Mercury Astronauts, was the third American in space, the first American to circle the Earth and phenomenally, flew back into space at age 77 on STS-95. One of the best collections we have offered relating exclusively to John Glenn which includes: 1.) 1957 Flown cover on the F8U Crusader Jet "Operation Bullet" with Glenn filling in the flight information date (16 July 1957) and signature (John H. Glenn Jr.) which is accompanied by a note card that Glenn inscribed and signed about the flight, a signed photo as Senator, and news clippings all nicely presented in a folio. 2.) 12 vintage original photos 8 x 10" (one trimmed for publication) black and white photos all from 1957 aside his F8U1 jet, with two including his family. All photos have press information on verso with Glenn youthful and beaming. 3.) Five (5) additional autographs by Glenn including two 8 x 10" and one 4 x 6" restrike photos with the other Mercury 7 Astronauts, a signed German cover dated 1962 but likely signed much later and a 4 x 6" restrike portrait while quite young. Great collection. Estimated Value $900 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $719
Lot 873		Gordon Cooper, Mercury-Atlas 9: Two Flown Peacock Feathers with Handwritten COA by Cooper (1927-2004) Cooper was launched into space on May 15, 1963, aboard the Faith 7 spacecraft, for what turned out to be the last of the Project Mercury missions. He orbited the Earth 22 times and logged more time in space than all five previous Mercury astronauts combined and engaging in exceptional flight aptitude in getting the Faith 7 spacecraft and himself back safely after serious technical problems toward the end of the mission. Offered is a most unusual piece. Gordon Cooper snuck two peacock feathers in the garbage bag of Faith 7. On the envelope he had stored them in he writes "These peacock feathers were flown on MA 9 in the garbage bag" Gordon Cooper. End of feathers are in quite decent shape but many of the pinfeathers that were along the rachis have detached but are in the envelope. Perfect for a museum grade framing and presentation as this is quite the unique piece. Estimated Value $600 - UP From The Celebrated Collection of Alden T. Barnes. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,340
Lot 874		Mercury-Atlas 9. Aft Heat Shield Presentation Disk. Mercury-Atlas 9 was the final crewed space mission of the U.S. Mercury program, launched on May 15, 1963 from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft, named Faith 7, completed 22 Earth orbits before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, piloted by astronaut Gordon Cooper, then a United States Air Force major.(MACH 9) Fragment encased in a clear acrylic disk measuring 3 x 2". Stamped MA-9 May 14, 1963. Remarkably clear and beautifully preserved. Estimated Value $400 - UP Ex William "Bill" Whipkey Coll. View details and enlarged photo	Realized $4,800