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Russell S. Colley's "Original Mercury Spacesuit" Model (37x12") Russell Colley was the designer of t

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:25,000.00 - 35,000.00 USD
Russell S. Colley's  Original Mercury Spacesuit  Model (37x12 ) Russell Colley was the designer of t
Russell S. Colley's "Original Mercury Spacesuit" Model (37x12") Russell Colley was the designer of the Mercury space suit while working for B. F. Goodrich. In addition to the Mercury spacesuit, he is known for designing the suit worn by the 1930s high-altitude aviator, Wiley Post (that suit and helmet are on display at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum). This spacesuit model was made for Mr. Colley's personal use at speaking engagements with school/community groups. He spoke about his development of the Mercury spacesuit and, in general, promoted NASA, B.F. Goodrich, the Mercury astronauts and the space program. The story goes that a teacher at a school where Mr. Colley was speaking donned a full size Mercury spacesuit that Mr. Colley had brought with him as a visual prop for his talk. The teacher had an attack of claustrophobia while in the spacesuit and freaked out. It was decided that there was too much liability risk to Goodyear for Mr. Colley to continue using full size spacesuits in his talks and so the miniature suit was made for him. This space suit model is authentic in material and fabrication, has the same detailing as the Mercury spacesuit and was sewn by the same 5 women who made all of the Mercury spacesuits. The model features aluminized nylon material, heavy-duty zippers, nylon webbing, straps and laces, an authentic NASA patch (trimmed), a metal helmet with a B.F. Goodrich decal on the reverse that is attached by a continuous zipper, fingerless gloves and silver-painted child's shoes. At some point in time, perhaps after Mr. Colley retired (?) from B. F. Goodrich, the space suit was acquired by Van Rogers, Executive Director of Rogers Display Studios and national designer of corporate convention booths. Mr. Rogers used the space suit model in a convention booth display for Reliance Electric (they developed heavy-duty electric motors and the electronic transmission devices for John Glenn's flight). The suit was found in his estate after his death. At some point a ventriloquists' puppet named Horace Power (a play on the word "horsepower") was made for and fitted into the spacesuit. "Horace" is designed for remote operation and voice transmission so that he could "answer" questions put to him while on exhibit. The puppet is included with the suit. Also included with the space suit are reproductions of five 8x10" black and white photos mounted on foamboard for exhibition purposes. The photos picture 1) the Reliance Electric display with this model standing alongside, 2) a City National Bank (Cleveland) window display; both illustrating the theme of space exploration and Russell S. Colley, 3) Colley with his sister and wife, 4) Colley with the five women who sewed the Mercury spacesuits at B. F. Goodrich in Akron, Ohio and 5) Coley with Wiley Post's helmet and with a Mercury helmet. There are also two foamboard panels with explanatory text of the photos. This is a unique space suit that has been shown to NASA and the Smithsonian as part of the owner's research as to background and authenticity. A rare opportunity to acquire a historically important piece of history. This model is in unusually fine condition, having properly been stored in the dark for a good portion of the past 40 years.