Uncommon official color semi-glossy 9.5 x 13.75 NASA photo of Alan Shepard and his Freedom 7 capsule on the deck of the recovery ship USS Lake Champlain shortly after the historic Mercury-Redstone 3 mission, affixed to its original 16 x 20 cardstock mount, which is signed and inscribed in felt tip, “To John Peterson, with high regard and appreciation — Alan Shepard,” who adds below the photo, “Freedom 7, 5/5/61.” In fine condition, with some fading to both the image and the handwriting. A wonderful signed portrait commemorating the first American in space.
Originates from the personal collection of NASA employee John ‘Pete’ Peterson, who served in various capacities of media relations at NASA and the Manned Spacecraft Center from about 1961 to about 1973. He first served as the head of News and Media Relations, reporting to Paul Haney, and later as a special assistant to several of the chief astronauts. Due to his military and media background—Peterson was a retired Army captain who served in both WWII and the Korean wars—he befriended and became close to several of the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Skylab astronaut crews, which accounts for many of the friendly personal dedications inscribed on these photographs.
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