9056

Gus Grissom's Flown Gemini 3 Fliteline Medallion

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:1,000.00 - 1,500.00 USD
Gus Grissom's Flown Gemini 3 Fliteline Medallion

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Auction Date:2022 Apr 21 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:15th Floor WeWork, Boston, Massachusetts, 02108, 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
Gus Grissom's flown Gemini 3 gold-plated sterling silver Fliteline medallion, 1" in diameter, with the front depicting the GT-3 capsule ("The Molly Brown") floating in the ocean, encircled by the names of the astronauts, "Virgil I. Grissom" and "John W. Young"; the reverse features the name of the mission in raised text, "GT-3," and is engraved with its date, "March 23, 1965." Matted and framed with a Gemini 3 mission patch to an overall size of 9.5 x 7.5; window backing shows the reverse of medallion. In fine condition. Accompanied by a handwritten and flight-certified letter of authenticity from Grissom's wife, Betty: "I certify that this medallion flew aboard GT-3 with Virgil I. (Gus) Grissom. March 23, 1965." In fine condition.

Less than three months after the flight of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7, Gus Grissom earned the distinction of becoming the second American to reach space when his Liberty Bell 7 launched on July 21, 1961. However, unlike the successful splashdown of Shepard, the premature opening of his capsule's hatch upon Atlantic touchdown nearly led to Grissom's drowning. Having already unbuckled most of his harnessing, Grissom was able to quickly free himself and escape from the sinking craft. After four to five minutes of treading water, an exhausted and relieved Grissom was lifted aboard a recovery helicopter. For his subsequent Gemini 3 mission, Grissom playfully named the spacecraft 'Molly Brown,' in reference to the Titanic's 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' and his own harrowing experience.