Topps Astronaut Trading Card, "Glenn and the F-106," 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

1963

Creator Notes

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

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2013.55.4

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: 33 / GLENN AND THE F-106 / All seven Astronauts regularly train with / the D-106 airplane to maintain their / flying skills. Two F-106 planes are kept / at Langley Field for the Astronauts. Partial text on back: EXPLORING A STRANGE WORLD Text on back of card: Front Photo Courtesy NASA