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DS, signed “M. Scott Carpenter,” “Leroy G. Cooper, Jr.,” “Virgil I. Grissom,” “Walter M. Schirra, Jr.,” “Alan B. Shepard, Jr.,” and “D. K. Slayton,” four pages, 8.5 x 13, October 8, 1965. Agreement between six of the Mercury Seven astronauts (John Glenn having received his own contract) in which they elect to have Harry A. Batten represent them as their agent. In part: “Whereas the above named…Astronauts have been selected to train for participation in Projects Gemini, Apollo and other Space Flight Projects of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (hereinafter referred to as NASA), and…[the] Astronauts and their families have valuable rights to stories of their personal experiences in connection with these Projects, including their personal stories of their space flights…[the] Astronauts have selected and hereby appoint Harry A. Batten to represent them in the sale of the rights they may have arising out of the projects.” Signed at the conclusion in ink by the six astronauts, and also signed by Batten and their wives: Rene Carpenter, Trudy Cooper, Betty Grissom, Josephine Schirra, Louise Shepard, and Marjory Slayton. In fine condition, with some scattered stains touching three of the signatures. Accompanied by a transmittal letter from Harry Batten to Deke Slayton, enclosing the agreement for his files.
These agreements were legacy of the Time-Life personal story contracts in which the astronauts were allowed to profit from their personal stories—as opposed to their official NASA stories, which were freely given out. This contract is particularly special as it was Slayton's personal copy, evidenced by the included cover memo from Batten. Even two years after the end of the Mercury program, public interest continued to be very high for these new heroes, each of whom would go on to write at least one book about his own experience.
The Richard Jurek Collection.
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