X4801

Space Firsts

Project Mercury

The Mercury 7 Astronouts

Collins Cover Announcement 

M E R C U R Y  P R O J E C T

Alan Shepard: First American in Space

On May 5, 1961, Astronaut Alan Shepard became the first American in space after being launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. He did not achieve orbit but rather completed a 15-minute, 300 mile journey of historic proportions. Buoyed by—the i-uccess of-Shepard's mission;—PreSident John F. Kennedy announced later that very month that America "should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth."

My hand painted cachet shows Alan in his space suit and the capsule splashing down at the conclusion of the mission. It also shows the rocket and its fiery blast-off from Cape Canaveral as well as a. symbolic rendition of the moon which was the subject of JFK's bold proclamation...which was accomplished on July 20, 1969.

I'm pleased to now announce this First Day Cover which honors Alan Shepard as well as all of the astronauts of the Mercury Project and the men and women of NASA who made it happen. Collins #X4801 @ $14.00.