Outstanding original Project Gemini insignia painting by NASA illustrator Margaret Gsell, featuring beautiful color emblems for all 10 manned missions and containing ink signatures from all 16 of the program’s pioneering astronauts, each of which have signed below their respective mission emblem: Gemini 3: Gus Grissom and John Young; Gemini 4: Jim McDivitt and Edward H. White II; Gemini 5: Gordon Cooper and Charles Conrad; Gemini 6: Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford; Gemini 7: Frank Borman and James Lovell; Gemini 8; Neil Armstrong and Dave Scott; Gemini 9: Tom Stafford and Gene Cernan; Gemini 10: John Young and Michael Collins; Gemini 11: Charles Conrad and Richard Gordon; and Gemini 12: James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin. The emblems are painted on an off-white 21.5 x 22.5 sheet of illustration paper bearing an affixed ‘Gemini Spacecraft’ capsule image and printed text for each mission. Additionally, Gsell has hand-painted the Gemini program emblem to the upper section, and both Gemini 3 and 4 are represented by American flags. Framed sans glass to an overall size of 25.5 x 26.5. In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Gsell's daughter.
As a NASA illustrator during the mid-to-late 1960s, Gsell was tasked with illustrating artwork as well as working in Houston prior to Gemini flights doing technical work and then at Cape Canaveral in the Control Room during the flights to complete that work. When the Gemini program had concluded, Gsell was tasked with painting two Gemini Mission Insignia Paintings commemorating the program, which were to be signed by each Gemini astronaut and presented to two high-ranking NASA officials. Gsell requested and was granted permission to create a third painting for herself at home. Gsell, as an invited guest, took her painting with her to the event celebrating the successful close of Project Gemini. Eager to obtain signatures for her painting from the attending astronauts, Gsell began to make the rounds. She obtained her first autograph and then approached Gene Cernan who, after observing the state of the party, suggested that Gsell protect her artwork from a possible spilled drink. Instead, he offered, Gsell should bring it to his office the following Monday when he would make sure to gather the remaining signatures. True to his word, Cernan, shortly thereafter, delivered this fully signed painting to a delighted Gsell, with whom he would maintain a lifelong friendship.
