Superb vintage matte-finish 10 x 8 photo of the grinning Mercury 7 astronauts posing with a rocket model, boldly and clearly signed in various inks in the lower margin by all seven: Alan B. Shepard, Jr., Walter M. Schirra, Jr., John H. Glenn, Jr., Virgil I. Grissom, M. Scott Carpenter, Donald K. Slayton, and Leroy S. Cooper, Jr. Accompanied by a 2003 letter of provenance from Schirra: “The 8 x 10 black and white vintage photograph that accompanies this letter is from my personal collection of space memorabilia. It is authentically hand signed by myself and the rest of the original Mercury 7 and has not [heretofore] left my possession….” Tiny, trivial ding to right margin, mentioned only for the sake of strictest accuracy, otherwise very fine, pristine condition. Without question the freshest, most beautifully signed, best-provenanced example we’ve ever encountered! In short: unsurpassable! JSA/Scott Cornish Auction LOA and RRAuction COA.
