All but Grissom have signed a group photo in space suits. The signature of the ill-fated Grissom is on a separate sheet Collection comprised of: (1) Photograph signed: "Alan/Shepard", "Gordon Cooper", "W M Schirra", "D K Slayton", "John/Glenn" and "Scott Carpenter". B/w, 4¾x4¾ overall, image 4½x3½ (one surface). Captioned at lower margin. Fine condition. (2) Signature: "Virgil I. Grissom", 3½x1¼. Fine condition. The seven space pioneers who signed this Project Mercury envelope were chosen by NASA in April 1959 as the first American astronauts. Project Mercury successfully attained its goal of launching a man into space and safely returning him to Earth. On May 5, 1961, ALAN SHEPARD (1923-1998) became the first American in space when Project Mercury launched its first manned capsule, the Mercury-Redstone 3 Freedom 7. Grounded due to an inner ear disorder, he later returned to space as Commander of Apollo 14 (January 31-February 9, 1971), during which mission he walked on the Moon. VIRGIL I.

13x16 color poster mount signed by 29 celebrities for the Hilton Head Island Celebrity Golf Tournament. Poster Mount signed: "Neil Armstrong", "Johnny Bench", "Gale Sayers", "Spanky McFarland", "Ed Marinaro", "Mary Ann Mobley", "Alex Trebek", "Dale Robertson", "Boom 'Boom' Geoffrion", "Vince Gill" and 19 others on the mount. Color, 9x11 matted by unknown individual to 13x16. Depicts the cover of the program for the "Hilton Head Island/Celebrity Golf/Tournament/September 4-6, 1987". Horizontal crease at right mount touches 1 signature. Worn at corners. Fine condition. Poster is slightly worn. Accompanied by the program for the event, unsigned, 64p, 8½x11. Covers lightly creased, ¾-inch separation at lower edge of mid-vertical fold. Overall, fine condition. Two items.

Twenty weeks before her ill-fated challenger flight, the New Hampshire school teacher writes, "I'm excited about my upcoming shuttle flight." A rare and emotional piece of American space flight history. Typed Letter Signed "S. Christa McAuliffe," one page, 8.5 x 11, NASA letterhead, September 18, 1985. A response to a note from an admirer. In full: "Thank you for your note. I do not have my official photograph yet, but I have placed your name on a list and you should receive one this fall. I'm excited about my upcoming shuttle flight and appreciate your interest." Sharon Christa McAuliffe (1948-1986) taught junior high school in Maryland (1970-1978) and Concord, New Hampshire (1978-1979) and high school in Concord (1980-1985) before being selected as the primary candidate for the NASA Teacher in Space Project on July 19, 1985. She was a payload specialist on Challenger STS-51L which was launched from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, at 11:38 AM on January 28, 1986. McAuliffe and her six colleagues were killed when Challenger exploded 73 seconds after launch. Light toning in lower right corner. Otherwise, fine condition.