posted 10-07-2016 07:15 PM               

Space Cover 386: Cooper Flight

There are many covers that are available for Gordon Cooper's flight in May of 1963 from various cachet makers such as Goldcraft, Space Craft, Orbit, etc. with many of these servicers creating covers for both the launch and landing dates.

Interestingly an Orbit item was created that is an folder (shown with the folder opened flat) with the Orbit cachet with a plate block of 4 flag stamps having a launch day cancel and the other side of the folder has an embossed American flag in color with a plate block Project Mercury stamp having a recovery date cancel. Both cancels are from Cape Canaveral.

This is only the second Orbit folder like this that I have seen. I have also never seen any write up on these being created or how many may have been produced. Does anyone have any more information on these?

Another oversized item that can be found for Cooper's flight is a heavy stock card produced by Goldcraft covers. The card depicted in this scan is roughly 6 inches by 8 inches and is cancelled at Satellite Beach, FL for Cooper's recovery date. Unlike the Orbit folder above, the Goldcraft card can be seen with some regularity – though not as often as the Goldcraft covers for the flight.

So when you are out at dealer's table looking for space items don't forget to look at the "oversize" items – you never know what you may find!