Soviet space dog named by Yuri Gagarin, that made one orbit on board Korabl-Sputnik-5 on March 25, 1961, the final practice flight before Gagarin's historic flight the following month. Unique and very interesting 1966 U.S. FDC honoring the humane treatment of animals, tied to a U.N. Space stamp and the Soviet stamp picturing Zvezdochka, ‘signed’ with an ink paw print of Zvezdochka. In fine condition, with a bit of scattered light soiling. Noted dealer Charles Hamilton wrote about the paw prints on pages 69–71 of Big Name Hunting, recalling a story told to him by Herman Darvick about the “strangest autographs in his collection.” Darvick had written to the dogs care of the Russian Space Center asking them for their autographs and receiving several paw prints back in the mail. Accompanied by a hardcover copy of Big Name Hunting. An ALS to Mr. Darvick from Vasily V. Parin (1903-1971), founder and first Secretary General of the USSR Academy of Medicine, certified this paw print. This letter is reproduced on page 70 of Big Name Hunting. RRAuction COA.
