Wally Schirra’s gray nylon flight jacket worn in honor of the 50th anniversary of the Omega watch company. An embroidered 50th anniversary 1957 Speedmaster Omega patch is sewn onto the right breast, and the left breast bears embroidered mission insignia patches of Gemini 6, Apollo 7, and the Sigma 7 Mercury mission, with Schirra’s Velcro name patch below, “Omega, Wally Schirra.” The left arm bears an Alpha Industries manufacturer’s tag and a maroon “Remove Before Flight” ribbon attached to a zipper. In fine condition, with trivial wear from use. Accompanied by a signed letter of provenance US Space & Rocket Center Director Edward Buckbee, in part: “On February 17, 2007 Omega held an event at the California Science Center, Omega—50 years of Speedmaster—Flight Jacket Night. Captain Walter Schirra, USN (ret) Mercury 7 astronaut who commanded three missions into space…participated in a forum with Brig. General Charlie Duke, USAF (Ret) Lunar Module pilot of Apollo 16. Captain Schirra wore this jacket at the event.” The patch sewn high into the left chest is a rare variation of the Sigma 7 patch personally designed by Buckbee and Schirra, the latter who disapproved of the design found on the mass-produced insignia patch. The public release of this simplified variant patch was canceled following Schirra’s untimely death less three months after this Omega event. An exceptionally attractive flight jacket worn by one of NASA’s most illustrious astronauts.
