Frank Borman Signed Project Mercury First Day Cover — Feb. 20, 1962 View Watchlist >
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Lot # Nasa7
System ID # 29423379
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Frank Borman Signed Project Mercury First Day Cover — Feb. 20, 1962
A Project Mercury "U.S. Man in Space" First Day Cover bearing the bold blue-ink signature of Frank Borman, commander of Gemini 7 and Apollo 8. The cover is franked with the 4¢ Project Mercury commemorative stamp, cancelled at Cape Canaveral, Fla., dated February 20, 1962 — the very day John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7, the flight the stamp was issued to commemorate. The "FIRST DAY OF ISSUE" slogan cancel runs to the right of the postmark.
Borman, selected with NASA's second astronaut group in 1962, would go on to command Apollo 8 in December 1968 — the first crewed mission to leave Earth orbit and circle the Moon. The signature appears in the lower portion of the envelope in dark blue ink, clear and unhurried. The reverse carries a light pencil notation.
History
The 4¢ Project Mercury stamp was released on February 20, 1962, in a tightly held secret coordinated with NASA so that its issue would coincide exactly with Glenn's orbital flight. Post offices nationwide were instructed not to release the stamp until word came that Glenn was safely in orbit. Covers cancelled at Cape Canaveral on that date carry a direct tie to one of the defining moments of the early space race.
Authenticity
The signature of Frank Borman is guaranteed authentic by Mesilla Valley Estate Sales. A Certificate of Authenticity will be issued to the winning bidder.
CONDITION
Very Good. Envelope is clean and bright with a strong, legible postmark and a bold signature. Light handling, minor edge toning, and a few small surface specks to the reverse. Pencil notation present on the back flap.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Cover: 3 5/8" × 6 1/2"
- Stamp: 4¢ Project Mercury "U.S. Man in Space" commemorative
- Postmark: Cape Canaveral, Fla. — Feb. 20, 1962, 3:30 PM
- Signed: Frank Borman, blue ink
