Set of all six manned Mercury launch photographs, each signed and inscribed by the astronaut on the rocket to astronaut Walter Cunningham by SPACE, CUNNINGHAM, GLENN, SHEPHERD, GRISSOM, ET AL - 1961-1963

The Birth of the American Space Program A One-of-a-Kind Collection of Signed Mercury Mission Launch Photographs. Brilliant color photographs, each 10 ¾ x 14 in, matted. Fine. A MAGNIFICENT COLLECTION of photographs of all six manned Mercury missions, with each Mercury astronaut inscribing his launch photograph to fellow astronaut Walter Cunningham, later the Apollo 7 lunar module pilot. Project Mercury, which began on October 7, 1958, one year after the launch of Sputnik I, aimed to put a man in orbit, to study the effects of space flight on humans, and to return men safely to earth. The collection is accompanied by a typed letter signed by astronaut Walter Cunningham stating, "This collection of six launch pad photos, one for each of the manned Mercury missions, were obtained by me personally shortly after being selected as an Astronaut [October 1963]. It was tangible proof to any visitors or old friends that I was actually acquainted with these 'heroes' and could bask in their reflected glory. The time would eventually come when I would serve the same function for many others. Walter Cunningham, Apollo VII." The wonderful, inspiring inscriptions are as follows: 1. "To Walt Cunningham, warmest personal regard and high expectations-Alan B Shepard Jr. Shepard was the first American in space. 2. "Best Wishes to Walt, Gus Grissom." Grissom was the second American in space. As a result of Gus Grissom's death in the tragic 1967 Apollo I launch pad fire, his signature on photographs of this significance is rare. 3. "Best Regard to Walt- we've had some big days as here shown, but there are even bigger ahead. Good luck, Walt JA Glenn Jr." Glenn was the first American in orbit). 4. "To Walt with a sincere 'Welcome Aboard' warm personal regard and great faith in your future contributions to the space program. Scott Carpenter." 5. "Best wishes Walt, come up sometime, Wally Schirra." 6. "Best regards to Walt, Gordon Cooper." Cooper was the first American in space for more than 24 hours.