Original Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronaut Gus Grissom’s personal Boy Scouts of America membership card, unfolded to a size of 7 x 3.75, May 5, 1942, filled out in type and in his own hand, signed inside in fountain pen, “Virgil Grissom, 715 Baker St.” Grissom also lists his age as “16,” height as “5´ 6.5″,” weight as “125,” along with the date. He also fills out the dates he attained two different ranks within the Boy Scouts, as well as his troop number. His troop information is also typed, placing him in Troop 46 in Mitchell, Indiana. In fine condition. The front of this graphically stunning official card is printed with an illustration of various scouting deeds behind a banner that reads, “Loyalty, Patriotism, Service”—certainly three of the most important traits for any NASA astronaut. A one-of-a-kind item from Grissom’s youth, directly related to an organization that helped to establish the values that he and many other astronauts—most notably Neil Armstrong—held dear. This movingly personal Gus Grissom relic reminds us of the ideals of the tragic Apollo 1 fire victim and merits serious consideration from an accomplished collector.
