An amazing complete set of flown Fliteline medallions from Project Gemini missions 3 through 12 presented to Life magazine editor Edward Thompson, with each of the faces bearing raised mission emblems, with the mission names and dates on the reverse. All ten medallions are housed in a 7 x 3 Lucite cube which is affixed to a wooden mount with two presentation plaques affixed to the bottom which read, “These commemorative medallions were flown on each of their respective flights,” and “Presented to Edward K. Thompson by the Gemini astronauts.” In very fine condition. Thompson was with Life for over 30 years, with a small interruption to serve in World War II. It was Life and Thompson that followed the astronauts through their mission training and flights all the way up to the moon landing. After his retirement, Thompson founded Smithsonian magazine, serving as publisher and editor for ten years. Fliteline medals are quite desirable individually, and are seldom offered as a complete set, especially with such impressive association to a man that was key in introducing the astronauts to the world. RR Auction COA.
