Description:

Yuri Gagarin
n.p., n.d.
Yuri Gagarin Signed Photo Postcard With Bonus 1969 Soviet "Conquest of Space" Flexi-disc Containing Gagarin Voice Recordings!
Archive
A pair of items relating to pioneering Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968), including a vintage photo postcard of Gagarin signed by him in Russian Cyrillic; along with a highly unusual space collectible, a 7" Flexi-disc containing voice recordings of Gagarin and others, once offered as a supplement to the anniversary album "Conquest of Space" (Machine Building Publishing House, Moscow, U.S.S.R., 1969). The largest item, the Flexi-disc in its square sleeve, measures 7.125" x 7.5."

Yuri Gagarin 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. Tragically, Gagarin was killed in a routine training mission at age 34.

The lot includes:

1. A vintage photo postcard of Gagarin wearing a Soviet Air Force uniform without a cap. Gagarin's tunic bristles with medals, like the Soviet Air Force Pilot Wings, and the hexagonal Pilot-Cosmonaut of the U.S.S.R. Gagarin has signed the photo in Russian Cyrillic along the bottom edge outside the image field. N.d., n.p. The postcard is mounted via photo corners to a matted display and has not been examined separately. Near fine. The actual size of the postcard is 3.875" x 5.75" while the overall mat measures 5.625" x 9" x .25."

2. A supplement to the anniversary album "Conquest of Space" (Machine Building Publishing House, Moscow, U.S.S.R., 1969), being a red vinyl phonograph record, or Flexi-disc, housed in a square paper sleeve with Russian-language titles. Manufactured by the All-Union Recording Studio. The 7" Flexi-disc runs at 33 1/3 RPM, and is double-sided. Highlights include A2, [translated]: "Yu.A.Gagarin – From a speech before a flight into space"; and B1, [translated]: "Yu.A.Gagarin – Fragment of a speech on Red Square in Moscow after returning from space." It is unknown if the Flexi-disc is still in working order, as it has not been played. Expected wear to the sleeve including isolated scuffs, else near fine. The paper sleeve measures 7.125" x 7.5."

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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#SpaceAstronaut

  • Dimensions: largest piece: 7.125" x 7.5"
  • Medium: Archive

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March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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