Space Race Cachet Cover Collection, 1960–1966 — Project Mercury, Apollo & Echo I, 12 Covers

A group of twelve illustrated event and first-day covers tracing the early American space program from the launch of Echo I in 1960 through the unmanned Apollo orbital tests of 1966. The set spans Project Mercury (John Glenn's first orbital flight, Walter Schirra's Sigma 7 six-orbit mission, Gordon Cooper's Faith 7 flight), the Ranger 7 lunar photography mission ("Target Moon!!"), the Cape Canaveral 15th anniversary cachet, and the early Saturn 1B / Apollo spacecraft tests. Several carry Cape Canaveral, FLA. and Washington, D.C. postmarks dated to the events depicted.

The covers mix commercial and private cachet makers — including Art Craft and Orbit Covers productions — printed in blue, green, red, and purple. Two of the Mercury first-day covers bear the 4¢ Project Mercury stamp (Scott 1193), released February 20, 1962 to mark Glenn's flight; others use the 5¢ Washington definitive and the 5¢ JFK memorial stamp. Backs of several covers carry pencil notations) One Saturn cover is hand-annotated in marker, "Saturn Rocket 7-5-66."

CONDITION

Very Good overall. Cachets are crisp and postmarks legible. A few covers show light toning and scattered foxing specks; the Welcome Back / Cooper cover shows light tonespots to the verso. Pencil and marker annotations present on several backs as noted. Stored in individual protective sleeves.

DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS

• Each cover: approx. 3 5/8" × 6 1/2"
• Count: 12 covers
• Date range: 1960–1966
• Notable stamps: 4¢ Project Mercury (Scott 1193); 5¢ JFK Memorial; 5¢ Washington; 4¢ Echo I "Communications for Peace"
• Postmarks: Cape Canaveral FLA.; Washington D.C.; Port Washington N.Y.