Overview
A rare vintage color lithograph featuring the ill-fated Apollo 1 crew—Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee—accompanied by a personal letter from Grissom's secretary.
1Identify
Preliminary identification
Apollo 1 Crew Signed Lithograph with NASA Provenance Letter, 1966
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Story
On January 27, 1967, a flash fire during a launch pad test claimed the lives of these three men, making their combined signatures among the rarest and most poignant in space history.
Maker / Origin
Virgil 'Gus' Grissom was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts and a true pioneer of flight, while Maile Oshita was a vital part of the support staff at the Manned Spacecraft Center.
Condition & Value
The photo appears well-preserved with vibrant colors, though there is some minor edge wear consistent with age. The letter shows standard folding and some light toning. Authentic Apollo 1 crew-signed items are highly coveted; if the signatures are verified as hand-signed rather than autopen, the value could exceed the high estimate.
Research
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This could merit a closer professional appraisal if condition, maker, or provenance points turn out to be stronger than the quick read suggests.