posted 06-23-2024 05:59 AM               

Space Cover 759: A Pair Of Rare Gemini 3 PRS Covers

On March 23, 1965, Gemini 3 made history as the first launch of Project Gemini in which astronauts were on board. While Gemini 1 tested the Gemini-Titan combination and Gemini 2 flew a complete mission testing everything from launch to splashdown, Gemini 3 added the one missing element: astronauts. Commander Gus Grissom and Pilot John Young flew a highly successful three orbit mission which included a major test objective of Project Gemini — being able to maneuver within and change the spacecraft's orbit. This would be needed later on in the Gemini program as well as for the Apollo program.

After a 4.5 hour flight, re-entry was initiated and the Gemini 3 spacecraft (unofficially) nicknamed "Molly Brown" successfully splashed down though short about 45 nautical miles from the prime recovery ship USS Intrepid. The short splashdown was blamed on the fact that the Gemini spacecraft did not achieve as much lift capability as the wind tunnel tests had predicted. Grissom and Young chose to stay in the spacecraft until the recovery ship arrived alongside. Recovery operations were normal and the Gemini program was off to a great start!

Pictured are two unusual covers from the prime recovery ship USS Intrepid. The first is an extremely rare hand cancel from the ship. The vast majority of USS Intrepid recovery covers have a machine cancel. Sometimes observant postal clerks will use a hand cancel on covers that did not receive a machine cancel for some reason. That may be the case for this cover as there are killer bars to the left of the hand cancel. It is unclear if they are from a missed machine cancel.

The second cover is postmarked three days after the recovery. Why three days after the recovery? Inside the cover is a copy of a page from Astronautics and Aeronautics 1965 indicating that on March 26, 1965 there was a White House ceremony honoring the crew and some NASA officials. This was followed by a motorcade and a Congressional reception. But why postmark a recovery cover three days after the recovery for events taking place in Washington? Really makes no sense. However, could this possibly be a return to port cover? Prime recovery ships would bring the recovered spacecraft to the closest port to be offloaded for postflight analysis. A return to port cover makes a lot more sense than a cover for a White House ceremony.

It might also be noted that the March 26 cover is addressed to Mrs. Trudy Woods. For collectors of prime recovery ship covers, the name Trudy Woods should be familiar. Her name is on the MA-6 recovery covers from USS Noa that have the time slug in the cancel. These particular covers have never been questioned as to their authenticity. With this particular cover addressed to her I would certainly lean to this being a return to port cover. Any thoughts?