^Lot 147 Mercury 7

Vintage ink and ballpoint signatures, “Leroy S. Cooper, Jr.,” “Virgil I. Grissom,” “Donald K. Slayton,” “M. Scott Carpenter,” “Alan B. Shepard, Jr.,” “Walter W. Schirra, Jr.,” and “John H. Glenn, Jr.,” on an off-white 6 x 6.5 sheet. Sheet is also inscribed in Alan Shepard’s hand, “To Johnny Lauson, with best wishes from The Astronauts,” and dated January 25, 1960. Sheet is affixed to a 19 x 13 presentation, which includes a portrait of the astronauts in their flight suits, as well as a photo of an artist’s rendition of the Aurora capsule in orbit. In fine condition, with a horizontal fold through Schirra’s signature, which is also a couple of shades lighter than his colleagues. The combination of this scarce and very desirable grouping (with the signers’ less-common “formal” signatures) from such an early date, along with the splendid condition makes for an exceptional treasure. Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Scott Cornish.