Fascinating collection of 36 vintage original NASA photographs focusing on Mercury astronaut Gordon Cooper and the events before and after the successful flight of his Faith 7 spacecraft, each glossy finished, 8 x 10 and 10 x 8, each bearing NASA caption text and stamps on reverse. This collection impressively documents several stages of the Mercury-Atlas 9 mission, depicting Cooper as he undergoes medical tests, training, and is recovered by the USS Kearsarge on May 16, 1963. The lot also features a variety of behind-the-scenes images from mission control. In overall very good to fine condition, with a NASA caption sheet taped to the reverse of one photo. From the M. Edward Thomas Collection.