1977 Space Shuttle Cargo Handling Arm Cover Signed by Astronaut William B. View Watchlist >
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Lot # Nasa110Z7
System ID # 29527772
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1977 Space Shuttle Cargo Handling Arm Cover Signed by Astronaut William B.
A commemorative envelope from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas, marking the Space Shuttle program's early cargo-handling arm development. The cachet reads "SPACE SHUTTLE — Cargo handling arm prototype lifts a 15x30 payload," printed in red over a standard airmail cover. Franked with a 13¢ Americana series Eagle & Shield stamp and canceled with a Houston, TX / SEP 8 1977 A.M. / 77201 machine postmark.
The cover is signed in black ink at left by William B. Lenoir, the NASA scientist-astronaut selected in 1967 who flew as mission specialist aboard STS-5, the first operational Space Shuttle mission, in November 1982. Lenoir played a direct role in developing Skylab experiments and Shuttle payload procedures, giving this 1977 cachet — issued during the arm's prototype phase — a fitting tie to the astronaut who helped bring the operational program to fruition. A Certificate of Authenticity will be issued by Mesilla Valley Estate Sales.
CONDITION
Very Good. The cover is clean and bright with crisp cachet printing and a legible postmark; the ink signature is dark and unsmeared. Light handling only, with no tears, stains, or creasing to the face. Reverse is clean.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Cover: 3 5/8" × 6 1/2"
- Postmark: Houston, TX — Sep 8, 1977 A.M.
- Franking: 13¢ USA Eagle & Shield (Americana series)
- Signature: William B. Lenoir, black ink, lower left
- COA: Issued by Mesilla Valley Estate Sales
