Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 73

The Manuscript, Space & Collectibles Auction

Mercury Program

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 216		Mercury Program, 1961, USN Mk IV, Mod 3, Type 1 Pressure Suit and Helmet., This green USN Mk IV high altitude, full pressure suit was made by B. F. Goodrich. It includes the helmet, full neck ring and a pressure gauge on the thigh. A gold USN patch on the chest and right shoulder plus a US Navy patch (blue) on the left shoulder. The integrated cloth shoes are included (the gloves are omitted). Some zipper and rubber faults as would be expected, but the suit is in overall very good condition. By the early 1960s, the US Navy had progressed through a series of developmental models of the full pressure suit that would ultimately take final form in the Mark IV, Model 3, Type 1, a production suit which US Navy aircrew wore on high altitude flights during its cold weather operations. Regardless of the success of the A/P22S-2 suit and its modifications in Air Force use, it remained to the US Navy's cooperative program with the B. F. Goodrich Company and pioneer suit designer Russell Colley to solve some important problems concerning mobility and full pressurization. One of the most important developments was an aneroid suit controller that maintained suit internal pressurization at precisely 0.24 bar. The Mark series of US Navy full pressure suits which followed culminated in three models of the final Mark IV suit, which went into production in 1958 as standard high altitude issue for US Navy squadrons. The Mark IV, Model 3, Type 1 suit featured various enhancements in fit and ease of donning, as well as substantially improved pressurization control. It would go on to be selected as the basic foundation of NASA's early earth-orbital suit (the original Mercury prototype suits were specially reworked Mark IV suits). Included with the suit is its matching gold helmet, complete with clear and sun visors, US Navy decal and earphones (H-143/AIC, ROANWELL CORP). There is a soft circular pad at the top inside the helmet that reads 2528, AG8475-521-6082-LF50, Mk4-mod I-TYPE 1. The label on the back of the helmet reads B.F. Goodrich, USN. On the left is a decal that reads RESCUE 1. PUSH BUTTON AFT, 2. LIFT VISOR. The helmet appears to be in excellent condition. This is a unique opportunity for the astute collector to acquire one of the iconic early space suits. (A similar USN Mk IV, Mod2, Type 1 suite sold for $7,200 in sale 52.). Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,160
Lot 217		Mercury 7 Autographs on Early NASA Photo, All seven astronauts signed this original NASA photo. Carpenter, Glenn, Shepard, Grissom, Slayton, Cooper and Schirra. Other members of the early NASA team are shown including Walt Williams, Center Director and Shorty Powers, Public Affairs Officer. Some slight fading but overall a very nice and uncommon item. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $1,110
Lot 218		Mercury 7 Autographs - All of Astronaut Group 1, One of the classic NASA Mercury 7 photos autographed by the entire group (8 x 10") - Carpenter, Glenn, Grissom, Schirra, Shepard, Slayton and Cooper (who signed as Leroy Cooper Jr. on his pants leg. The Grissom and Slayton autographs have faded but a wonderful addition to any collection. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $576
Lot 219		Early Astronaut Group Photo with 5 Autographs., Framed 16 x 13" B&W Astronaut group photo. A total of 14 in the photograph -- signed by Bill Anders, Alan Bean, Dave Scott, Gene Cernan and Rusty Schweickart. Faded but still a nice photo with good autographs. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $132
Lot 220		Early Astronaut Group Photo with 4 Autographs, Many familiar faces in the group, 16 total. Framed 16 x 14". Signed by John Young, Charles Conrad, Alan Shepard (autopen?) and Deke Slayton. A bit faded but still a very nice photograph. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Unsold
Lot 221		A significant find… 280 Mercury 35mm Images on Contact sheets., 14 photographic pages (8x10) with true size 35mm contact images. The images are clearly from Mercury and cover at least one recovery, post recovery, medical evaluation, welcome home ceremony and more. These were recovered when discarded and many are believed to have never been published. For anyone not familiar with contact images -- they are made by laying the negatives on a page of photographic paper and exposing them in a darkroom then developing the print. Each 8x10 page contains from 10 to 35 images. A unique find and a way to own a view into the Mercury program that no one else has. Estimated Value $500 - 750 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $197
Lot 222		Dean Martin Comedy Hour Presentation photo (8 x 10"), Professionally double matted and framed to 18 x 16". This unique color photo of Dean Martin and Bill Dana, the Reluctant Astronaut, is inscribed on the mat: " To Bill, You may "plan to cry a lot"… but you sure make the rest of us laugh, Dino". During the 1960�s and 1970�s Bill was a favorite guest on all the major television comedy and variety shows including the Ed Sullivan Show, the Steve Allen Show, the Hollywood Palace and the Tonight Show, among others. This photo depicts an Oct 20, 1966 appearance of Bill in his famed role as Jose the Astronaut, on the Dean Martin Show with the host, Dean Martin. For those of you too young to remember this time in history, you are looking at one of the two kings of TV who, with their contempories, were "must watch" TV and who made the whole country laugh and forget their troubles. Extensive uniform toning on the mats, but a unique memento of bygone times. Originally owned and prominently displayed by Bill Dana (Jose Jimenz). Most recently owned and enjoyed by Michael Orenstein. Also included is a 33 RPM LP titled "The First Man in Space Jose Jimenez". A live recoding of the comedian in action. The record is in its origional jacket. Ex. the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $400 - 500 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $432
Lot 223		Mercury Launch Covers, Three identical covers (one with minor adhesion on the reverse) commemorating the launch of Mercury- Atlas 4 on 9/13/61. This flight, launched from complex 14 at Cape Canaveral was the first successful orbital flight test of the Mercury program. "The payload consisted of a pilot simulator (to test the environmental controls), two voice tapes (to check the tracking network), a life support system, three cameras, and instrumentation to monitor levels of noise, vibration and radiation. It demonstrated the ability of the Atlas LV-3B rocket to lift the Mercury capsule into orbit, the capsule and its systems to operate completely autonomously, and succeeded in obtaining pictures of the Earth". Scarce and attractive. Ex. the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $100 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $36
Lot 224		Mercury Freedom 7 -- Randall Knife, This small 2 ½" long knife is embedded in a clear Lucite disc 4 ¼" in diameter. Also in the Lucite are 2 plaques that read "1st Knife in Space" and "Carried by Cmdr. Shepard May 5, 1961 / Randall Made Knives, Orlando Florida." Randal made knives are major collector items. The Randall Knife Company supplied a handmade knife to each of the Mercury 7 astronauts which were carried on their missions. Most of these are in various museums around the country. This item was created to promote the knife that Alan Shepard carried aboard Freedom 7. Over the past few years several similar items have been offered at auction and all have brought significant dollars. It is unknown how many were initially produced but it is likely that only a few are still in existence today. Estimated Value $600 - 700 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $960
Lot 225		Alan Shepard Autograph - Early Mission Control Photo, Alan Shepard with Chris Kraft and John Hodge in mission control moments after a postponement of Gemini V launch. All 3 autographs are bold and clean. Estimated Value $300 - 350 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $192
Lot 226		"One Giant Leap" 3rd Salute to Astronaut Honorees � 1996 Program � autographed by Shepard, Lovell, Borman, Guy Bluford and Kathryn Sullivan, "The Museum of Flying Airventure" honored these five astronauts plus 4 others. The program features a page highlighting the accomplishments of each honoree as well as congratulatory letters from John Glenn, Governor Wilson, Al Gore and others. Bluford was the first African American to fly in space (STS-8) and Sullivan was the first American woman to walk in space. Ex. the Michael Orenstein Estate Collection. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $88
Lot 227		Autographed book plates (3x)., Howard Benedict co-wrote "Moon Shot" in 1994 with reporter Jay Barbree and astronauts Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton. The book plates are signed by Benedict, Barbree, Shepard and Bobbie Slayton. All are nice clean autographs. Ex. the Astronaut Donald K. "Deke" Estate Collection. Estimated Value $100 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $120
Lot 228		35 NASA photos relating to Mercury 6 and 7 plus a visit by President Kennedy to KSC, These are all 8x10 NASA B&W photographs. They cover a combination of training, pre-launch, and recovery operations for both missions. Many of the photos have explanations on the reverse. Also included are 3 unique photos of President Kennedy�s visit to KFC on 9/11/62. His visit was after MA-7 but prior to MA-8. Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $348
Lot 229		Flown Mercury � "Aurora 7" Aft Head Shield Section, "Aurora 7" carried Scott Carpenter on the fourth Mercury flight on May 24, 1962. This section of aft heat shield section is from that mission. It measure 2 ½" x 5/8" deep with an angular cut. There is a �" square section of the outer most portion showing the charring and white residue. Built of honeycombed aluminum with many layers of glass-fiber material, the heat shield would boil away as the Mercury capsule descended through the atmosphere. As the silica material (fiberglass) melted, it deposited a white residue on its surface, resembling icing. Includes a consignor�s handwritten, signed COA that reads in part, "This section of Aft heat shield is from Mercury Capsule #18, "Aurora 7". Given to me in mid 1963.". Estimated Value $300 - 400 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $690
Lot 230		Mercury 7 Survival photo -- Autographed by All 7, This group photo was taken after what appears to have been a rather difficult survival training exercise. Autographs include Cooper, Carpender, Glenn, Shepard, Grissom, Schirra and Slayton. Three of the autographs have faded significantly (Grissom, Schirra and Slayton) and a couple of creases are evident however, this is still an interesting insight into the early days of Astronaut training. Estimated Value $250 - 400 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $384
Lot 231		Flown Mercury � "Aurora 7" Aft Head Shield Section, "Aurora 7" carried Scott Carpenter on the fourth Mercury flight on May 24, 1962. This section of aft heat shield section is from that mission. It measure 1¼" 5/8" deep with an angular cut. There is a ¼" by �" section of the outer most portion showing the charring and white residue. Built of honeycombed aluminum with many layers of glass-fiber material, the heat shield would boil away as the Mercury capsule descended through the atmosphere. As the silica material (fiberglass) melted, it deposited a white residue on its surface, resembling icing. Includes a consignor�s handwritten, signed COA that reads in part, "This section of Aft heat shield is from Mercury Capsule #18, "Aurora 7". Given to me in mid 1963.". Estimated Value $250 - 300 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $504
Lot 232		20 NASA photos relating to Mercury 7 and 8 plus 4 Unclassified, These are all 8x10 NASA B&W photographs. They cover a combination of training, prelaunch and recovery operations for both MA-8 and MA-9. Many of these photos have dates and explanations on the reverse. Also included are 4 photos termed "unclassified". Worth taking a close look. Estimated Value $125 - 150 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $84
Lot 233		Flown MA-9 Mercury Capsule outer "skin", "Faith 7" carried Gordon Cooper on the final Mercury flight on May 15, 1963. The only Mercury flight lasting more than a day and nearly 4 times longer than any previous flight. This piece of "skin" was a portion of one of the capsule "shingles" and was a small sample removed post flight for analysis. The section measure ½ x 1 ½" and is presented in an Acrylic rectangle that measures 1 x 2". Includes a consignor�s handwritten, signed COA that reads in part, "This was given to me in mid 1963 to be encased in Acrylic and has been in my possession ever since.". Estimated Value $350 - 400 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $456
Lot 234		Flown Mercury Capsule "Faith 7" VERY Large Aft Heat Shield Section, "Faith 7" (MA-9) carried Gordon Cooper on the final Mercury flight, May 15, 1963. The heat shield measures 6 ½" long, 3" wide, 1 �" at its highest section, 1" deep at the narrowest area. This appears to be cut from the outer edge. There is a metal "bolt" which may be screwed in. Also, 3 screw holes on a tapered section. Built of honeycombed aluminum with many layers of glass-fiber material, the heat shield would boil away as the Mercury capsule descended through the atmosphere. As the silica material (fiberglass) melted, it deposited a white residue on its surface, resembling icing. Includes a consignor�s handwritten, signed COA that reads in part, "This section of aft heat shield is from Mercury Capsule #20, "Faith 7", Gordon Cooper, Pilot. Given to me in 1963." This represents a significant section of the MA-9 aft heat shield, one of the largest we have seen. Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,000 View details and enlarged photo	Realized $2,760