Historic group of material related to Christa McAuliffe and the NASA Teacher in Space Project from the collection of her close family friends Arthur and Nancy Marasco, who were present at the disastrous launch. Includes signed photos of McAuliffe and her backup teacher Barbara Morgan, an invitation letter to the launch signed by McAulliffe, and additional ephemera. The signed items include:
Official color 8 x 10 NASA lithograph of McAuliffe in her blue flight suit holding a Space Shuttle model, beautifully signed in black felt tip, “S. Christa McAuliffe.”
Typed form letter signed “Christa,” one page both sides, 8.5 x 11, NASA letterhead, October 1, 1985, in part: “In the very near future, NASA will extend nontransferable invitations to attend the launch. These invitations are very limited in number…We’re sure that you will enjoy witnessing this event, and we would be pleased to have you do so. Hope you can make it!” Accompanied by the original mailing envelope.
Official color 8 x 10 NASA lithograph showing both McAuliffe and Barbara Morgan, signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint by Morgan, “For Art & Nancy—Any relative of Christa’s is top in my eyes! Best wishes to you. Love, Barbara.”
Included as well are two launch guest badges, unworn baseball cap and t-shirt featuring the Teacher in Space logo, and other ephemera representing both the preflight activities and tragic aftermath, including: an STS 51-L crew memorial service program in Cape Canaveral; a program for a memorial mass held for McAuliffe in Massachusetts; an official invitation card for the launch; an official invitation to a pre-launch reception; a revised invitation for the reception due to rescheduling; two official “Astronaut Guest” bus boarding passes for the launch for Art and Nancy Marasco; a folded card with guest information and a map of the Kennedy Space Center; and a four-page newsletter from the Marascos’ hometown of Lenox, Massachusetts, providing information on a memorial fund established by the Marascos in honor of McAuliffe. Some additional memorial programs and news clippings are also present. In overall fine condition. The Marascos were friends of McAuliffe’s parents, Edward and Grace Corrigan, for over 35 years at the time of the disaster and soon after established a fund in her memory to support science education in their local school system. Most of the pieces in this collection are rare on their own, and this close personal association elevates the group even further. Pre-certified Zarelli Space Authentication.
This item is Pre-Certified by STEVE ZARELLI
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