Space & Autographs Auction Space & Autographs Auction Jan. 2014 | Page 41

Shuttle Program
– STS-51L –
169 /

1986 SIGNED CHALLENGER CREW COVERS (7 DIFFERENT) .............................................................................................. PH $4000-6000

Extraordinary grouping of seven (7)
matching homemade covers each with a
picture related to the Challenger mission
attached as a cachet at left, and each signed
by one of the crew members. Each of these
covers accompanied by the original envelope
from the Astronaut who returned the cover
to the collector. All postmarked during the
the few weeks before STS-51L launch and
subsequent disaster. Postage applied to
each of the signed returned covers and
rubber handstamp reading: ‘SHUTTLE
CHALLENGER (MISSION 51-L) EXPLODED
ON TAKEOFF JAN 24, 1986’. Clear and
sharp signatures of Dick Scobee, Mike
Smith, Ellison Onizuka, Judy Resnik, Ron
McNair, Greg Jarvis and Christa McAuliffe.
Dates on envelopes from astronauts range
from Nov 14, 1985, through Jan 31, 1986.
Some glue staining near cachets or postage
stamps, still these are some of the last signed
items from the crew members, and the one
from Scobee was actually postmarked on Jan
31 three days after the ill fated launch. Ex-Dr.
Max Kronstein collection.

170

171

Session I: Wednesday, January 15, 2014

170

172X

Estimate

1986 COVER RETURNED UNSIGNED FROM SCOBEE’S
DESK AFTER CHALLENGER TRAGEDY ........... PH $350-500

Estimate

171 /

Homemade cover that had been sent to STS-51L (Challenger)
commander Dick Scobee for an autograph, returned to the
consignor after the launch tragedy with mimeographed
inscription: ‘RETURNED FROM CAPTAIN SCOBEE’S DESK
ON FEBRUARY 27,1986.’ Also cover to collector with
mimeographed marking: ‘RECEIVED FROM CAPTAIN
SCOBEE’S DESK.’ These markings indicate aspects of the
handling of the late crew-member’s correspondence after the
Challenger disas