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  Space Cover 185: Multi-signed and well-traveled

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Author Topic:   Space Cover 185: Multi-signed and well-traveled
Bob M
Member

Posts: 1819
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 10-27-2012 01:00 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob M   Click Here to Email Bob M     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Space Cover of the Week, Week 185 (October 28, 2012)

Space Cover #185: A multi-signed and well-traveled cover for STS-1

Most of us who collect autographed covers like multi-signed covers and mailing a cover off several times for multiple autographs to be applied isn't uncommon. But a large number of mailings can be risky and if a cover that's been signed by several space personalities doesn't return, then all the time, effort and results are lost.

But with the excitement and anticipation of STS-1, the first Space Shuttle launch and flight approaching in 1980, I decided to try something extra special. I decided to send the same cover to each NASA Center Director, one-at-a-time, that would result in a cover signed by all the Center Directors that were serving at the time of STS-1. That required ten separate mailings, with ten sent out and ten back to me. The chances of loss with that many mailings, twenty, back and forth, were great but I went ahead with the project. And after just seven months, from November 1980 to June 1981, my efforts were rewarded, as my well-traveled cover completed its perilous journey and was complete!

In its seven months of travel, this cover went to California twice and back, to Washington, DC, twice, with other stops at JSC/Houston, MSFC/Huntsville, AL, KSC, FL and three other cities.

All of the NASA Center Directors who signed were long-time and key space program leaders, and they and a brief mention of their career highlights follow:

  • Dr. Alan M. Lovelace, was the acting NASA Administrator at the time of STS-1

  • Dr. Robert L. Frosch, June 1977-Jan. 81, was the NASA Administrator just prior to the STS-1 launch

  • Clarence A. "Sy" Syvertson, Ames Research Center Director, 1977-84. Was involved in design of the XB-70 and M2 Lifting Bodies

  • Isaac T. "Ike" Gillam IV, Dryden Flight Research Center Director, 1978-81. Was Director of Shuttle ops for ALT Program at Dryden

  • Dr. A. Thomas Young, Goddard Space Flight Center Dir., 1979-82. Was mission director for the Project Viking Lander Program

  • Dr. Christopher C. Kraft, Johnson Space Center Director. Was MSC and JSC Director, 1972-82, and first NASA Flight Director.

  • Richard G. Smith, KSC Director, 1979-85. Was Project manager for the Saturn Program at MSFC

  • Donald P. Hearth, Langley Research Dir., 1975-85. Was director of Planetary Programs at NASA HQs, 1967-70.

  • John F. McCarthy, Jr., Lewis Research Center Dir., 1978-82. At Rockwell International was involved in the basic design of the Apollo Command and Service Modules.

  • William R. Lucas, Marshall Space Flight Center Dir., 1974-86. Was member of Werhner von Braun's rocket team at Redstone Arsenal.
Certainly there are many other covers that were sent out many times for multi-autographs and survived their risky journeys...

albatron
Member

Posts: 2804
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 11-17-2012 11:06 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for albatron   Click Here to Email albatron     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I just saw this Bob - what an excellent piece!

Bob M
Member

Posts: 1819
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 11-17-2012 04:26 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Bob M   Click Here to Email Bob M     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks, Al. Multi-signed covers are fun to create, but are nerve-wracking until the final autograph is received and the thing can be put to bed. I know you have a super multi-signed piece, a large aviation poster, that you had some signatures obtained in person on, but also had a number of nervous back and forth mailings until you reached the point of being safe rather than sorry.

I have a couple more multi-signed covers I may post Sunday.

albatron
Member

Posts: 2804
From: Stuart, Florida
Registered: Jun 2000

posted 11-17-2012 09:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for albatron   Click Here to Email albatron     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Yes my test flight piece with 65 signatures. its an 8x10 and easy to mail but it's grounded now. Like my X-15 8x10 with Neil and all the others (drop/chase pilots etc). GROUNDED. LOL

I agree, very nerve wracking but it paid off in this case!

Apollo-Soyuz
Member

Posts: 1300
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004

posted 11-20-2012 08:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo-Soyuz   Click Here to Email Apollo-Soyuz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Here is a multisigned Shuttle cover from the rollout of the shuttle Enterprise on September 17, 1976.

This cover was autographed by the following:

  1. NASA Hq. Program Director, Dr. Myron Malkin
  2. JSC Program Manager, Robert Thompson
  3. JSC Orbiter Project Manager, Aaron Cohen
  4. JSC ALT Program Manager, Deke Slayton
  5. KSC Project Manager, Dr. Robert Gray
  6. MSFC Project Manager, Robert Lindstrom
  7. MSFC SRB Project Manager, George Hardy
  8. MSFC External Tank Project Manager, James Odom
  9. MSFC SSME Project Manager, James Thompson
This took four mailings to NASA Headquarters, Johnson Space Center, Kennedy Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center.

spaceman1953
Member

Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 11-21-2012 10:09 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceman1953   Click Here to Email spaceman1953     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
One time, after I had the REAL pleasure of visiting Building 4 at the Johnson Space Center, I had a piece I wanted signed by a huge number of officials — none of them astronauts — so I sent it to PAO and they circulated it for me and returned it fully signed, intact.

Not to mention the postage and wear and tear on the sheet going back and forth, I got a GREAT piece for my collection thanks to a NASA employee, and it was a kindness one can NEVER forget!

Apollo-Soyuz
Member

Posts: 1300
From: Shady Side, Md
Registered: Sep 2004

posted 11-22-2012 05:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Apollo-Soyuz   Click Here to Email Apollo-Soyuz     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Gene- Can you post a scan of the piece?

spaceman1953
Member

Posts: 953
From: South Bend, IN
Registered: Apr 2002

posted 11-24-2012 03:14 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for spaceman1953   Click Here to Email spaceman1953     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
I will put that request on your "bucket list".

If I were that organized, my inauguration day would be in January and not President Obama's second one!

All times are CT (US)

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