34 a
NASA / Unidentified Photographer

Friendship 7, the first spacecraft to carry an American to orbit

Mercury Atlas 6, January-February 1962

Two vintage gelatin silver prints on fiber-based paper, each 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA Cape Canaveral captions on the verso

34 b
Bill Taub

John Glenn, first American in orbit, giving the “ready sign” during prelaunch training

Mercury Atlas 6, January 1962

Vintage gelatin silver print on fiber-based paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA Cape Canaveral caption on the verso

34 c
NASA / Unidentified Photographer

John Glenn, first American in orbit, checking out his Earth orbital map on launch day

Mercury Atlas 6, February 20, 1962

Vintage gelatin silver print on fiber-based paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA Cape Canaveral caption on the verso

34 d
NASA / Unidentified Photographer

Photomontage of the launch of the Atlas rocket carrying John Glenn, first American to orbit the Earth

Mercury Atlas 6, February 20, 1962, 000:00:01 GET

Vintage gelatin silver print on fiber-based paper, 20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in), with NASA MSC caption on the verso (indicating the print was made in 1962-1963), numbered “NASA S-62-1153” (NASA MSC) in black in top margin
20.3 x 25.4cm (8 x 10in)

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Lot Essay

34 a
The first photograph shows the Friendship 7 capsule mated to the Atlas launch vehicle at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 14. On top of it is emergency escaper tower and its rocket.

The second photograph shows John Glenn entering Friendship 7 during prelaunch activities, assisted by Günter Wendt, NASA pad leader for the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo manned missions.

34 b
The reflection of NASA’s head photographer Bill Taub can be seen in Glenn’s chest-mounted mirror.

“They started to put the hatch on. This is the moment when things begin to come home to you. Up to this point people are reaching into the capsule and working all around you and there’s no real feeling of being on your own. Suddenly, as people begin to pat you on the shoulder, wink at you, shake your hand and wave goodbye, it changes.”
John Glenn (Kelley, plate 2)

34 c
Glenn, in flight suit prior to MA-6 launch at Cape Canaveral, is in the transfer van which transports him from the Crew Quarters at Hangar S to Launch Complex 14 to board the Friendship 7 spacecraft atop the Atlas booster.

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Mercury Atlas 6 was launched from Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral at 9:47 a.m. (EST) on February 20, 1962.

Capcom (Mission Control): 3, 2, 1, 0
000:00:03 Glenn: Roger. The clock is operating. We’re underway.
000:00:07 Capcom: Hear loud and clear.
000:00:08 Glenn: Roger. We’re programing in roll okay.
000:00:13 Glenn: Little bumpy along about there.