Photo album, 13 x 14.75, presented to Andriyan Nikolayev after the October 1970 Soviet cosmonaut goodwill tour of United States, during which he and Vitaly Sevastyanoy toured Washington, Huntsville, Houston, Los Angeles, and Seattle, visiting each city’s respective space facilities. The front of the album bears the text, “Visit to the United States, Soviet Cosmonauts, October 18–28, 1970,” with Nikolayev’s name in the bottom right. At the beginning is a copy of a letter of transmittal from Buzz Aldrin to Nikolayev, which reads, in part: “I am delighted to send you this photo album which covers your recent visit to the United States…I am sure you will have many pleasant moments sharing this with Valentina and your daughter. Tell them for me how much fun we had together…It was a wonderful visit which I trust broadened the channel of communication between your country and mine.” Within the album are numerous black-and-white and color photos of their trip, mostly depicting their sightseeing and space center tours, along with newspaper clippings from each city they visited. Aldrin is visible in many of the photos, along with the two cosmonauts. Three photos are signed: one of Aldrin, Nikolayev, Sevastyanov, and Neil Armstrong at the Astrodome, with Sevastyanov holding a soccer ball, signed in black felt tip in the bottom border, “Let’s keep the ball rolling for cooperation in space and on Earth, Buzz Aldrin”; one of their tour of the Manned Spacecraft Center, signed in black felt tip by director Robert R. Gilruth; and a photo of an outing with a few different astronauts, including Aldrin, Armstrong, and Anders, signed in black felt tip “Bill Anders, Apollo 8.” In very good condition, with the leatherette covering separated from the front cover and spine, and the metal binding rings completely separated from the spine and covers. The pages and photos remain in fine to very fine condition, and the flaws of the physical album could probably be repaired. RRAuction COA.
