March 2020 Auction Ends Thursday, March 26th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/26/2020
Pair of typed letters signed by Gemini IV and Apolllo I astronaut Edward White, including one written shortly after White's spacewalk on Gemini IV, where he adds a lengthy autograph note, excitedly writing about the experience. In this letter, stamped 4 October 1965 on NASA stationery, White writes to Colonel Norman P. Phillips and Major Fred L. Tracy of the U.S. Air Force. Letter reads in part, ''...I am sure the many thoughts and prayers that were with me helped to make the flight a success. / I wish I could recount to you the many wonderful sights and experiences that I had both during and after the flight, but time just will not permit. Just know that it was a very wonderful experience and one that I am very proud and thankful to have had...[signed] Ed White''. He then adds an autograph note, ''What a ride that was! Hearing from you both together zipped me right back to '55-'57 and all the good times we had in the 22nd. Tell Fred I hope his clothes don't get stolen again?! Pat joins me in sending regards to Leona & Nettie.'' Single page letter measures 8'' x 10.5'', with original NASA mailing envelope. Folds, else near fine.
White's other letter is datelined 20 May 1958 from Ann Arbor, Michigan where he was enrolled at the University of Michigan. White writes to Norman P. Phillips (then a Major), asking for a recommendation for Flight Test School. The friendly letter reads in part, ''The rumor was right my promotion did come thru; thank you for the card. you could have fooled me if you hadn't told me that you made it...You should go into business with some ink and a duplicating machine...I presume that you all are down in North Africa blasting away at the banner. Among other things such as firing gunnery how are you finding the skin diving and the Sphinx? Maybe a good incentive to the late qualifiers would be to restrict the Sphinx to those who havn't [sic] qualified. I sure would like to fly the big Dart again. Every time I see one while I am putting merrily around in my C-45, I get the urge to strap in and leap off. Several weeks ago at Wright Pat [and] I got an opportunity to crawl around the 104. It really looks like a winner- the closest thing to that engine with a fuselage around it that we used to talk about, that we will ever see as a fighter. / I am planning to submit my application to the Flight Test School and need recommendations from people under whom I have flown in the past few years. If it would not be too much trouble, I would like to get one from you. / Your last addition to your family must be an important one to you. We were all hoping you would have a boy- a future Olympic candidate, congratulations...It is getting close to exam time so I had best get busy...[signed] Edward H. White II''. Two page letter on two sheets measures 8.5'' x 10.75''. Folds, else near fine. With original mailing envelope.
Edward White Pair of Letters Signed, Including One With an Autograph Note Just After Gemini IV -- ''What a ride that was!''
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