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Lot Essay
27 a
“Dramatic moment of recovery comes as Astronaut Shepard is hauled out of sea by one of three hovering helicopters sent out from aircraft carrier Lake Champlain. Landing on target exactly 15 minutes after launch, the capsule released a green dye marker. Shepard climbed through the hatch and was riding in helicopter within four minutes” (Life magazine, May 12, 1961, p. 27).
“The landing did not seem any more severe than a catapult shot from an aircraft carrier. The spacecraft hit and then flopped on its side so that I was on my right side. I felt that I could immediately execute an underwater escape should it become necessary. [...] I could see the water covering one porthole, I could see the yellow dye marker out the other porthole and, later on, I could see one of the helicopters through the periscope. The spacecraft righted itself slowly and I began to read the cockpit instruments for data purposes after impact. I found very little time for that since the helicopter was already calling me,” related Alan Shepard (Flight’s Pilot Report).
27 b
This famous photograph graced the cover of Life Magazine (‘AOK!’ THE US IS IN SPACE, May 12, 1961).
Dean Conger was one of the National Geographic Society’s most famous photographers. He was named Newspaper Photographer of the Year three times during the 1950s and Magazine Photographer of the Year in the 1962 Pictures of the Year competition.
“I made an egress as shown in the training movie; that is, I sat on the edge of the door sill until the helicopter sling came my way. The hoist itself was uneventful.”
Alan Shepard (Pilot’s Flight Report)
27 c
“Crew members of the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain cheer and take pictures of the arrival of the first Project Mercury pilot to fly a suborbital flight, astronaut Alan Shepard. Helicopter recovery teams recovered Astronaut Shepard and the spacecraft to the deck of the carrier” (NASA caption, second photograph).
27 d
“Alan Shepard strides across the deck of the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain following an inspection of his spacecraft” (NASA caption).
Only a half hour after liftoff, the space pioneer came triumphantly aboard the carrier Lake Champlain after the pickup helicopter had deposited his capsule on deck. His first words after the mission were “Man, what a ride!”
“Dramatic moment of recovery comes as Astronaut Shepard is hauled out of sea by one of three hovering helicopters sent out from aircraft carrier Lake Champlain. Landing on target exactly 15 minutes after launch, the capsule released a green dye marker. Shepard climbed through the hatch and was riding in helicopter within four minutes” (Life magazine, May 12, 1961, p. 27).
“The landing did not seem any more severe than a catapult shot from an aircraft carrier. The spacecraft hit and then flopped on its side so that I was on my right side. I felt that I could immediately execute an underwater escape should it become necessary. [...] I could see the water covering one porthole, I could see the yellow dye marker out the other porthole and, later on, I could see one of the helicopters through the periscope. The spacecraft righted itself slowly and I began to read the cockpit instruments for data purposes after impact. I found very little time for that since the helicopter was already calling me,” related Alan Shepard (Flight’s Pilot Report).
27 b
This famous photograph graced the cover of Life Magazine (‘AOK!’ THE US IS IN SPACE, May 12, 1961).
Dean Conger was one of the National Geographic Society’s most famous photographers. He was named Newspaper Photographer of the Year three times during the 1950s and Magazine Photographer of the Year in the 1962 Pictures of the Year competition.
“I made an egress as shown in the training movie; that is, I sat on the edge of the door sill until the helicopter sling came my way. The hoist itself was uneventful.”
Alan Shepard (Pilot’s Flight Report)
27 c
“Crew members of the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain cheer and take pictures of the arrival of the first Project Mercury pilot to fly a suborbital flight, astronaut Alan Shepard. Helicopter recovery teams recovered Astronaut Shepard and the spacecraft to the deck of the carrier” (NASA caption, second photograph).
27 d
“Alan Shepard strides across the deck of the U.S. Navy Carrier Champlain following an inspection of his spacecraft” (NASA caption).
Only a half hour after liftoff, the space pioneer came triumphantly aboard the carrier Lake Champlain after the pickup helicopter had deposited his capsule on deck. His first words after the mission were “Man, what a ride!”
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Lot 27
Sale 20142
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Dean Conger; NASA [Mercury Redstone 3]
The dramatic recovery of the first American in space, May 5, 1961
Estimate: GBP 1,500 - 2,500
A Christie's specialist may contact you to discuss this lot or to notify you if the condition changes prior to the sale.
Lot 27
Sale 20142
Dean Conger; NASA [Mercury Redstone 3]
The dramatic recovery of the first American in space, May 5, 1961
Estimate: GBP 1,500 - 2,500
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