89

Gordon Cooper and Gus Grissom

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,000.00 - 4,000.00 USD
Gordon Cooper and Gus Grissom

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2014 May 22 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Mercury-era hand controller presented to fellow Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom. Right-handed controller measures 5 x 7.25 and has been mounted on to a 6 x 12 x 5 wooden base. Front of the base bears an engraved brass plaque which reads: “Presented to Gus Grissom, Astronaut for Liberty Bell 7, by the Cape crew of Faith 7 at the request of Gordon Cooper. L. O. 21 July 1961 0720 E.S.T.; Landing: 0735 E.S.T. Ht. 102.8 NM; Distance: 263 NM.” In fine condition, with expected wear and scuffing of black paint on handle and some mild tarnishing to plaque.

After the loss of Grissom’s Liberty Bell 7, substantial controversy surrounded the premature blowing of the capsule’s hatch after splashdown, leading to its sinking. Cooper presented this controller as a gesture of support to a friend and fellow astronaut at a time when Grissom was the subject of official inquiries and reviews, as well as unofficial speculation. Provenance: Superior Auctions, May, 2001.