Incredible original vintage color glossy 9.5 x 7.25 photo of the prime and backup crews of the Apollo 1 mission posing together in their blue flight suits behind a small model of the Apollo Command Module, signed in felt tip by each pictured astronaut: “Edward H. White II,” “Gus Grissom,” “Roger B. Chaffee,” “Dave Scott,” “James A. McDivitt,” and “Rusty Schweickart.” Reverse bears “A Kodak Paper” watermarks. In very good to fine condition, with trimmed edges, and some light scuffing to the bottom blank area.
Accompanied by a full letter of authenticity from Zarelli Space Authentication. A stupendously rare fully signed official NASA portrait of the six astronauts selected for the historic first Apollo manned mission. History quickly led to tragedy, however, as White, Grissom, and Chaffee would lose their lives in a simulation accident a month before their scheduled launch. The original backup crew of Scott, McDivitt, and Schweickart held said designation for nine months before they were ultimately replaced by the eventual Apollo 7 crew of Wally Schirra, Donn Eisele, and Walt Cunningham. Photos signed by the Apollo 1 crew are, unto themselves, quite rare and desirable, and the autographic additions of their first backup crew distinguish this offering as something of an event.
