- Home
- Collections
- Search the Collection
- 4c Project Mercury single
4c Project Mercury single
Object Details
- Description
- This Project Mercury Issue stamp commemorates the first orbital flight of a United States astronaut. Project Mercury was the first human spaceflight program of the United States, run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It was influenced by the space race with the Soviet Union that began in 1957 when they launched the first artificial satellite, Sputnik I. The stamp features an image of “Friendship I” capsule above the Earth. “Friendship I” was manned by Lieutenant Colonel John Glenn, Jr, who was the first American in orbit.
- United States; Soviet Union; Project Mercury; NASA; mission; space race; John Glenn; space; Earth; globe; stars; orbit; man; Friendship; satellite; capsule
- Data Source
- National Postal Museum
- Date
- February 20, 1962
- Object number
- 1980.2493.5406
- Printer
- Bureau of Engraving and Printing
- Type
- Postage Stamps
- Medium
- paper; ink (dark blue, yellow); adhesive / engraving
- Place
- United States of America
- See more items in
- National Postal Museum Collection
- Title
- Scott Catalogue USA 1193
- Topic
- Space Exploration & the Universe
- Technology & Inventions
- Science
- U.S. Stamps
- Record ID
- npm_1980.2493.5406
- Usage
- Usage conditions apply
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.