A rare USS Lake Champlain postcard, 5.5 x 3.5, bearing a May 5, 1961, Mercury-Redstone 3 recovery date postmark from the ship, and stamped text reading, "USS Lake Champlain CVS-39, Recovery Ship for the First U. S. Manned Space Flight, 5 May 1961." A note written on the postcard by one of the sailors to his father reads, in full: "Hi pop, This cards for you. We just got the spaceman. The top is special. It may be valuable." In fine condition. Accompanied by a letter of authenticity from Lester E. Winick, expert in space and rocket stamps and covers. With his 15-minute flight aboard the Freedom 7 on May 5, 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American in space. He was recovered after splashdown by the USS Lake Champlain. Philatelic materials from the MR-3 recovery are extremely scarce, and this example offers unique and interesting content from one of the aircraft carrier's crewmen.
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