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  • 4c Project Mercury single
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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
Not determined
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm80af68325-45f8-4760-8a40-9d54c49360b1
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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Plan a Visit

TEMPORARILY CLOSED
Open every day (except December 25)
10:00 am to 5:30 pm

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

street map of Postal museum

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