Topps Astronaut Trading Card, "Grissom Blasts Off," 1963
THF230095 / Topps Astronaut Trading Card, "Grissom Blasts Off," 1963
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Artifact Overview
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 Details
Artifact
Collecting card
Date Made
1963
Subject Date
21 July 1961
Creator Notes
Trading card for Topps Chewing Gum, Incorporated. Image used credited to NASA, National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
Collection Title
Location
By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center
Object ID
2013.55.2
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:
29 /GRISSOM BLASTS OFF / Astronaut "Gus" / Grissom is aboard the / Mercury-Redstone 4 / as it takes off from / Cape Canaveral on / July 21, 1961
Partial text on back: LEAVING AN ASTEROID
Text on back of card: Front Photo Courtesy NASA
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