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Lot 44
[Mercury Redstone 4] NEAR-TRAGIC RECOVERY OF LIBERTY BELL 7 (diptych): Gus Grissom, second U.S.. man in space, rescued after almost drowning NASA, 21 July 1961
14 – 28 April 2025, 12:00 CEST
Paris, Avenue Hoche€500 - €700
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[Mercury Redstone 4] NEAR-TRAGIC RECOVERY OF LIBERTY BELL 7 (diptych): Gus Grissom, second U.S.. man in space, rescued after almost drowning
NASA, 21 July 1961
Printed 1961.
Two vintage gelatin silver prints on fibre-based paper [NASA images S-61-2818 and 61-MR4-108].
The first numbered "NASA S-61-2818" in black in the top margin, with NASA caption and credit stamp on the reverse, the second with NASA caption numbered "61-MR4-108" on the reverse (both issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.).
Each: 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
The photographs illustrate a dramatic moment in the early American space program as astronaut Gus Grissom, the second U.S. spaceman, narrowly escaped death following the unsuccessful helicopter recovery of the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft after its splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. A Marine helicopter lowered a harness to Grissom after he successfully exited Liberty Bell 7 (first photograph). Minutes after he was safely inside the helicopter, the spacecraft sank. Grissom was then welcomed by a relieved crew on the deck of the USS Randolph (second photograph).
Printed 1961.
Two vintage gelatin silver prints on fibre-based paper [NASA images S-61-2818 and 61-MR4-108].
The first numbered "NASA S-61-2818" in black in the top margin, with NASA caption and credit stamp on the reverse, the second with NASA caption numbered "61-MR4-108" on the reverse (both issued by NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C.).
Each: 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.)
Historical context
The photographs illustrate a dramatic moment in the early American space program as astronaut Gus Grissom, the second U.S. spaceman, narrowly escaped death following the unsuccessful helicopter recovery of the Liberty Bell 7 spacecraft after its splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean. A Marine helicopter lowered a harness to Grissom after he successfully exited Liberty Bell 7 (first photograph). Minutes after he was safely inside the helicopter, the spacecraft sank. Grissom was then welcomed by a relieved crew on the deck of the USS Randolph (second photograph).
Footnotes
The spacecraft was lost due to the premature activation of the explosively actuated side egress hatch. Fortunately, Grissom successfully exited the spacecraft immediately after the hatch was triggered and was rescued within 3 to 4 minutes of entering the water. He was airlifted by helicopter from the Liberty Bell 7 impact area to the USS Randolph. Moments after Grissom's evacuation, the spacecraft sank to a depth of 15,000 feet, leaving no in-flight photographs.
Read more
CLICK HERE: Mercury-Redstone 4: Liberty Bell 7
Watch more
CLICK HERE: he Full Mission Of Gus Grisson And Liberty Bell 7
Additional information
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