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Alan Shepard’s correspondence and photograph scrapbook compiled by his secretary, Doris S. Kreske, an administrative specialist at NASA’s Manned Spacecraft Center during Project Mercury. The scrapbook consists of a dense three-ring binder, 3.5˝ thick, containing an assortment of fan letters, original NASA photographs, and file copies of ‘thank you’ letters sent by Shepard to various VIPs and dignitaries after his historic Mercury-Redstone 3 spaceflight on May 5, 1961.
The scrapbook is highlighted by vintage glossy photos of Shepard, 8 x 10 and 8 x 10.5, both inscribed to Kreske, “To Doris with appreciation for helping with the thousands of letters, Alan B Shepard, Jr., 5/16/61” and “To Doris Kreske with warmest personal regards and sincere appreciation for the fine help with the correspondence – Alan B. Shepard, Jr.,” and three ANSs from Shepard to Kreske, two dated to summer 1961, all signed “Shepard,” which read: “I found paycheck in my mail, Thanx.,” “Can you please handle this? Weather is warm & wet here – how are you doing? Thanks.” and “A few letters which arrived at the Cape. They are explained or are self-explanatory. Please answer for me. How are things up north?” Includes a Holiday Inn of Cocoa Beach mailing envelope, postmarked July 12, 1961, addressed in Shepard’s hand, who adds his surname to the upper left, “Shepard - 207.”
The scrapbook contains over 40 original NASA photographs related to both Shepard and the Mercury 7 astronauts; approximately 50 letters from fans, mostly school children, congratulating Shepard on his recent Freedom 7 flight; and a total of 18 file copy ‘thank you’ letters on NASA letterhead, all unsigned, all dated May 22, 1961, which find Shepard sending words of appreciation to figures like Vice President Lynon B. Johnson, Secretary of Defense Rober McNamara, Secretary of the Navy John Connally, and fellow Mercury astronaut John Glenn and his wife. The letter to Johnson, in part: “We hope that the achievements of our space flight have enabled the country to hold its head a little higher and to deal a little more firmly with those foreign elements which oppose us. I hope you found this to be true during your recent visit to the Far East.” The scrapbook also contains sundry newspaper clippings, publications, and an official NASA photo of Kreske. In overall fine condition. Accompanied by full letters of authenticity from Zarelli Space Authentication for the two signed photographs.
