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  Space Cover 330: MR-3 Space Craft LE covers

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Author Topic:   Space Cover 330: MR-3 Space Craft LE covers
Bob M
Member

Posts: 1744
From: Atlanta-area, GA USA
Registered: Aug 2000

posted 08-15-2015 08:22 AM     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 330, August 15, 2015

Space Cover #330: MR-3 Space Craft Limited Edition Covers

We've discussed the Swanson Space Craft Limited Edition Mercury-Redstone 3 covers before, and shown several, but this week I'd like to show more, that includes a special one with a cancel added on the 50th anniversary of MR-3.

Carl Swanson produced 300 of these limited edition MR-3 covers and having one in your collection is a must.

I'm glad to have two, with one acquired from E&E Space Covers (Ed and Eddie Bizub) years ago and my second, acquired a few years ago that Eddie gave special attention to. That double canceled cover is the highlight cover this week.

That cover, number 215 of 300, has a second cancel dated May 5, 2011 from Cape Canaveral to mark the 50th anniversary of MR-3. And as noted on the back of the cover by Eddie, on that special day, it "...was placed on the launch table at Launch Complex 5 at the Cape Canaveral AFS....for the 50th anniversary of Alan Shepard's Mercury Redstone-3 launch."

To make these covers even more special, Eddie affixed the just-released Shepard/MR-3 commemorative stamps to his anniversary covers. Below the cover is an information stuffer card that was inserted inside all the MR-3 Special Edition Space Craft covers.

The top cover is from Ken Havekotte's collection, which Shepard signed in person, with "Freedom 7" added. The cover below was acquired from E&E Space Covers back in the '80's and then signed by Shepard.

While only 300 of these special MR-3 covers were made, they can still be found and possibly Eddie still has some available, along with some canceled for the 50th anniversary.

Note: I'm filling in for Ray Cartier this week, as Ray has had serious health problems, but I'm very glad to say has been recovering well. We wish him the best and are looking forward to having him back posting with the rest of the SCOTW gang.

Eddie Bizub
Member

Posts: 81
From: Kissimmee, FL USA
Registered: Aug 2010

posted 08-17-2015 12:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Eddie Bizub   Click Here to Email Eddie Bizub     Edit/Delete Message   Reply w/Quote
Thanks for the mention Bob! The Shepard Airmail cover as it has come to be known has always been one of my favorite covers.

When my dad and I purchased the balance of Joe Fitzpatrick's stock from his widow in 1988 there were quite a few of these covers, as well as many other Space Craft Covers both common and rare. I chose to use about a dozen of the Shepard covers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic launch. I had a couple cancelled with the First Day of Issue for the Shepard stamp and the rest for the actual anniversary the next day.

As a volunteer at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station I have access to all the old launch pads and took covers out for all six manned Project Mercury 50th anniversaries. I thought it would be neat to place these covers on the launch pad for the anniversary.

I do not have any of these to sell. They were all done for family and friends. I do however have a few of the regular Shepard Airmails still available. Regularly priced at $60, I will offer them to any cS member for $50 until August 31. First come first served while supplies last. Just go to my website Liberty Bell 7 Space Covers to place an order.

As a side note, Space Craft Covers did a similar airmail cover for Gus Grissom's launch. These are extremely rare! If you see one, pick it up because you may never see another one!

All times are CT (US)

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