8197

MR-3: Alan Shepard Lake Champlain Recovery Postcard

Currency:USD Category:Memorabilia / Autographs - Space Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,500.00 - 3,000.00 USD
MR-3: Alan Shepard Lake Champlain Recovery Postcard

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Auction Date:2017 Oct 19 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : 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
A rare USS Lake Champlain postcard, 5.5 x 3.5, bearing a May 5, 1961, Mercury-Redstone 3 recovery date postmark from the ship, and stamped text reading, "USS Lake Champlain CVS-39, Recovery Ship for the First U. S. Manned Space Flight, 5 May 1961." A note written on the postcard by one of the sailors to his father reads, in full: "Hi pop, This cards for you. We just got the spaceman. The top is special. It may be valuable." In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Lester E. Winick, expert in space and rocket stamps and covers. With his 15-minute flight aboard the Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space. He was recovered after splashdown by the USS Lake Champlain. Philatelic materials from the MR-3 recovery are extremely scarce, and this example offers unique and interesting content from one of the aircraft carrier's crewmen.