Taken by a pilot observer movie camera inside the Freedom 7 Spacecraft

Alan Shepard, first American in space, aboard Freedom 7 during the suborbital flight

Mercury Redstone 3, May 5, 1961

Vintage gelatin silver print on fiber-based paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA HQ caption numbered “61- MR3-104” on the verso
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

National Geographic, September 1961, p. 432; Life, 12 May 1961, p. 23.

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Specified lots are being stored at Crozier Park Royal (details below) or will be removed from Christie’s, 8 King Street, London, SW1Y 6QT by 5.00pm on the day of the sale. Christie’s will inform you if the lot has been sent offsite. If the lot has been transferred to Crozier Park Royal, it will be available for collection from 12.00pm on the second business day following the sale. Please call Christie’s Client Service 24 hours in advance to book a collection time at Crozier Park Royal. All collections from Crozier Park Royal will be by pre-booked appointment only. Tel: +44 (0)20 7839 9060 Email: cscollectionsuk@christies.com. If the lot remains at Christie’s, 8 King Street, it will be available for collection on any working day (not weekends) from 9.00am to 5.00pm
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Lot Essay

“Alan Shepard is just about to raise the shield in front of his face, during descent after opening of main parachute” (NASA caption).

“I realized that somebody would ask me about weightlessness. [...] Movements, speech, and breathing are unimpaired and the entire sensation is most analogous to floating. The NASA intends, of course, to investigate this phenomenon during longer periods of time, but the astronauts approach these periods with no trepidation. [...] At 10,000 feet the main parachute came out and I was able to observe the entire operation through the periscope. I could see the streaming action as well as the unreefing action and could immediately assess the condition of the canopy. It looked good and the opening shock was smooth and welcome. I reported all of these events to the control center and then proceeded to get ready for landing. I opened the faceplate of the helmet and disconnected the hose which supplies oxygen to its seal. I removed the chest strap and the knee restraint straps. I had the lap belt and shoulder harness still fastened,” related Shepard (Pilot’s Flight Report).

From the mission transcript after the opening of the main parachute:

000:10:15 Shepard: Main (parachute) on green
000:10:18 Shepard: Main chute is reefed
000:10:22 Shepard: Main chute is green. Main chute is coming unreefed and it looks good.
000:10:28 Shepard: Main chute is good. Rate of descent is reading about 35 ft/sec.
000:10:40 Shepard: Hello Cap Com. Freedom Seven How do you read?
000:10:55 Shepard: Hello CARDFILE 23, this is Freedom Seven. Do you read?
000:11:03 Shepard: Affirmative Indian Capcom, let me give you a report. I’m at 7,000 feet, the main chute is good, the landing bag is on green, my peroxide has dumped, my condition is good.