Topps Astronaut Trading Card, "1st Man in Orbit," 1963

Summary

President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space ignited the public's imagination. Pictorial souvenir cards like this helped generate excitement about the latest achievements in the space program. The U.S. astronauts and their accomplishments dominate the card fronts, while the backs show drawings that blend elements of science fiction and fantasy-requiring 3-D glasses to view.

President John F. Kennedy's vision to explore the "new frontier" of space ignited the public's imagination. Pictorial souvenir cards like this helped generate excitement about the latest achievements in the space program. The U.S. astronauts and their accomplishments dominate the card fronts, while the backs show drawings that blend elements of science fiction and fantasy-requiring 3-D glasses to view.

Artifact

Collecting card

Date Made

1963

Subject Date

1962

Creators

Topps Chewing Gum, Inc. 

United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration 

Creator Notes

Trading card for Topps Chewing Gum, Incorporated. Image used credited to NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

 On Exhibit

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2013.55.12

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)
Cardboard

Technique

Photomechanical processes

Color

Multicolored

Dimensions

Height: 3.5 in

Width: 2.5 in

Inscriptions

Text on front: NASA / (part of N missing on print) 46/ 1st MAN IN ORBIT / Astronaut John Glenn, / the first American to / orbit the Earth, poses / in his space suit in / front of the NASA / emblem. Partial text on back: WINGED BEAST Text on back of card: Front Photo Courtesy NASA

Related Content

Connect 3

Discover curious connections between artifacts.

Learn More