Description:

Yuri Gagarin
n.p., ca. 1962
Yuri Gagarin First Man in Space Signed Cover For Cosmonaut Exhibition, 1962
Signed envelope

A color postal cover commemorating the first cosmonautical philatelic exhibition "To the Stars!", which ran in Moscow, April 5-23, 1962. Bears the Moscow collector's club overprint at top right that brushes pre-stamped postage, while the bottom overprint reads: "To The Stars! 1st Thematic Exhibition of the Moscow Collectors Club, Moscow, TsDSA, April 1962." The abbreviation "TsDSA" is shorthand for the location of the exhibition, the Central Home to the Soviet Army. Boldly signed by Gagarin at middle. 6.125" x 4.33". Not used and in fine condition.

Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968) was the first human to travel to outer space. The trained air force pilot and officer was handpicked in 1960 to test into the new Soviet space program, later becoming one of the program's top candidates, called the Sochi 6. Gagarin's psychological and physical endurance, as well as his small statue (5' 2"), made him an ideal candidate for future space missions. Gagarin broke records when he successfully manned the Vostok I space capsule into outer space on April 12, 1961. He made a full orbit around Earth lasting 108 minutes before parachuting into the atmosphere at 23,000 feet. Gagarin was killed in a routine training mission at in 1968 at age 34.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6.125" x 4.33"
  • Medium: Signed envelope

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June 4, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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