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Vintage glossy 8.5 x 11 photo of Mercury astronaut Gus Grissom being helped into his Liberty Bell 7 capsule prior to the historic launch of the Mercury-Redstone 4 mission on July 21, 1961, signed in thin black felt tip. The reverse bears a McDonnell Aircraft Corporation stamp. In fine condition, with some trivial, tiny mailing clasp impressions near the top edge.
Less than three months after the flight of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7, Gus Grissom earned the distinction of becoming the second American to reach space when his Liberty Bell 7 launched on July 21, 1961. However, unlike the successful splashdown of Shepard, the premature opening of Grissom’s capsule hatch upon Atlantic touchdown nearly led to his drowning. Having already unbuckled most of his harness, Grissom was able to quickly free himself and escape from the sinking craft. After four to five minutes of treading water, an exhausted and relieved Grissom was lifted aboard a recovery helicopter. For his subsequent Gemini 3 mission, Grissom playfully named the spacecraft 'Molly Brown,' in reference to the Titanic's 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' and his own harrowing experience.
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