posted 03-30-2024 03:46 PM               

Space Cover 747: More Orbit Covers

Most space collections have some Bill Ronson Orbit "engraved" cacheted covers in them. The engraved Orbit covers were produced starting with Wally Schirra/Sigma 7 Project Mercury flight through the ASTP manned missions. There was a single unmanned engraved cover produced for a Ranger mission.

Many collectors are aware of the Project Gemini covers that have both the foreign Project Gemini stamps along with the US postage franking. The scan shows the Gemini 5 Orbit cover with a Paraguay Project Gemini stamp showing the Gemini capsule and Agena target.

The Orbit covers can be found in addressed and unaddressed formats, with most covers being unaddressed. The normal addressing is using a mailing label with the ORBIT COVERS address rubber stamped in red.

Harder to find are the Orbit covers that have a plate numbered stamp on the cover. Shown is the Sigma 7 Orbit cover for the launch of astronaut Wally Schirra on October 3, 1962 which has a Project Mercury plate block (27071) of four stamps hand cancelled at Cape Canaveral.

So, while you are searching for covers to add to your collection you might see what Orbit cover varieties you can find.