Six original vintage pencil signatures of the Mercury astronauts drawn by NASA employee Ruth Johnston, all taken from the astronauts’ original NASA portraits. Each sketch is on an individual off-white 7 x 9.25 sheet and is signed in ink by the astronaut pictured, with a couple adding inscriptions. Signers are: “W. M. Schirra, Jr.,” “To Mrs. Ruth Johnston—Alan B. Shepard, Jr.,” “Gordon Cooper,” “To Miss Johnson [sic], many thanks—Scott Carpenter,” “Regards to Ruth Johnston, Gus Grissom,” and “5/31/62 Best regards to Ruth Johnston—excellent sketch—poor subject—J. H. Glenn, Jr.” Each sketch is individually matted to an overall size of 11 x 14. Also included is an unsigned incomplete sketch of Deke Slayton. In fine condition, with a bit of scattered light toning and rippling. Accompanied by a letter of provenance from Johnston’s daughter, which reads, “My mother, Ruth Johnston worked for NASA starting 1961. While she was with NASA she pencil sketched 6 astronauts pictures from their original photos…She had a love for painting and pencil sketching…The 6 astronauts…were very impressed and happy with her sketches and signed them for her.” Pre-certified Steve Zarelli and RR Auction COA.
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