posted 01-01-2004 09:00 PM               

Also i found a letter from Michael Kapp who produced the Bill Dana/Jose Jimenez records way back in the Mercury days,again with content of interest(about Shepard and Schirra) and a colour glossy of Jose in a Mercury suit(Gordon Coopers portrait-with Jose's head in place of his-with a mouse inside the helmet he's holding) and an LP of material recorded live

Can anybody reading this REMEMBER those days? my only memory of Jose comes from reading Tom Wolfe's wonderful book and watching the movie of same "Right Stuff"

posted 01-02-2004 02:16 PM              

Lots of young commedians up and coming; Don Knotts, Tom Poston, Louis Nye, Bill Dana, Dayton Allen, and Steve Allen himself as moderator. Steve Allen was very funny, and very smart, and multi-talented. He wrote and recorded Jazz Music (played piano); Gravy Waltz is one of my favorites. He and his wife Jayne Meadows had a show on PBS, where they interviewed great people from History. Steve wrote and interviewed, and Jayne often played a character. I also believe Steve was first host of "Tonight Show".

Loved Bill on the "Jose Jimenez" routine, especialy "Jose, is that a crash helmet? Oh, I hope not!!!"

Had pleasure of briefly meeting him at the Right Stuff Gala Banquet at AHOF last Summer. He allowed our picture to be taken (I treasure it), and when he saw I was from Wichita, remarked that he had just seen the "Prarie Rose Wranglers" from Wichita at Carneige Hall in New York City. They did a concert of Western music, and he noted he had enjoyed it, including seing Roy Rogers Jr. sing with them.

So, yes I remember him. As a 60 year old dinosaur, I've been privileged to see aviation develop into the jet age, and space from nothing to now including the Golden Era of 1950's, Mercury/Gemni/Apollo. Hats all to all who bought it to us.

I'd love to see a copy of the letter you mention.

posted 01-02-2004 04:37 PM               

WHAT a fabulous reply Steve!! I really "wish" I was old enough to remember those days more,i was just 6 years old when Shep made his sub-orbital hop! your account is fascinating to read,thankyou again
If you would like the letter and the artwork pass me your address and i will certainly mail them on to you sir..

Alas i have no website or scanner else i would post the letters :-( nice idea

posted 01-02-2004 11:16 PM               

I think the value of the letters would depend on the content. They may be worth something.

I remember a signed small newspaper photo of Neil Armstrong's parents Stephen and Viola signed by his father and a handwritten letter by his mother that went for hundreds of dollars (something tells me over $300, correct me if I'm wrong) on eBay about half a year ago. The mother's letter I do not recall having exceptional content - it just said that the person who had written her was a fine young man who was obviously raised right.

posted 01-04-2004 03:58 PM               

Thanks to both of you for your kind words and thoughts