ASTRONAUT WALLY SCHIRRA'S 1962 LENOX PLATE - MERCURY/SIGMA 7/ATLAS 8/APOLLO NASA

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ASTRONAUT WALLY SCHIRRA'S 1962 LENOX PLATE - MERCURY/SIGMA 7/ATLAS 8/APOLLO NASA:
$2995.00

Among The Most Sought-After Space Collectibles!

*** Extremely Rare & Impossible-to-Find ***

PERSONALLY OWNED BY WALLY SCHIRRA -- A UNIQUE PIECE OF SPACE EXPLORATION HISTYORY!

AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF PIONEER ASTRONAUT'S PERSONAL ESTATE -- FROM SCHIRRA'S FAMILY!

EXCEEDINGLY RARE LENOX PLATE OWNED BY WALTER 'WALLY' SCHIRRA, NASA MERCURY, GEMINI & APOLLO MISSION ASTRONAUT

FROM THE ORIGINAL SET PRESENTED TO SCHIRRA BY NEW JERSEY GOVERNOR RICHARD HUGHES AFTER SCHIRRA'S SIGMA 7 MISSION ON OCTOBER 3, 1962

ONE OF JUST TWO PLATES TO COME TO MARKET FROM SCHIRRA'S OWN ORIGINAL 1962 MISSION SET -- DIRECT FROM SCHIRRA'S FAMILY

IN EXCELLENT VINTAGE CONDITION

*** PERSONALLY OWNED BY ASTRONAUT WALLY SCHIRRA ***

This is an exceedingly rare, authenticplate honoring astronaut Walter Schirra Jr, a native son of New Jersey. It is one of 12 presented to Schirra by New Jersey Governor Richard Hughes in October 1962 -- and is one of only two that have come to market. Made by Lenox, this cream-colored fine china plate measures approximately 10.5 inches in diameter and is emblazoned with Schirra's initials and mission info in gold, with a gold rim and inner ring. The reverse features an inscription from the Governor and the Lenox mark. It is in virtual pristine condition with no cracks, chips, damages, or defects, surviving in an exceptional state for more than six decades.

On October 3, 1962, astronaut Walter M. ("Wally/") Schirra Jr. piloted the Sigma 7 spacecraft on the Mercury-Atlas 8 mission, completing six orbits of the Earth in nine hours, 13 minutes, and 11 seconds. The mission was the third U. S. orbital mission and the longest U. S. crewed orbital flight to date, confirming the durability of the Mercury spacecraft. Schirra named his spacecraft Sigma 7, with /"Sigma/" representing the Greek symbol for the sum of an equation and standing for engineering excellence. The mission focused on engineering tests and experiments, including photography of the planet. Schirra's flight also proved that astronauts could manage the limited amounts of electricity and maneuvering fuel needed for longer, more complex flights. The mission was delayed two weeks due to problems with the Atlas booster, launching on the morning of October 3, 1962. Schirra made his first splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, and recovery teams brought him and the Sigma 7 aboard the aircraft carrier U. S. S. Kearsarge. Schirra returned to Houston by way of Hawaii after 10 days and 20 hours, and 163 orbits.

This is a rare opportunity to own an extraordinary piece of NASA space exploration history owned by one of the most celebrated pioneers of American space exploration.All photos taken without flash.

NASA Astronaut Walter "Wally" Schirra -- Authentic Original Lenox Sigma 7 Plate Presented to Schirra by NJ Governor Richard Hughes in October 1962