posted 08-15-2015 08:22 AM               

Space Cover #330: MR-3 Space Craft Limited Edition Covers

We've discussed the Swanson Space Craft Limited Edition Mercury-Redstone 3 covers before, and shown several, but this week I'd like to show more, that includes a special one with a cancel added on the 50th anniversary of MR-3.

Carl Swanson produced 300 of these limited edition MR-3 covers and having one in your collection is a must.

I'm glad to have two, with one acquired from E&E Space Covers (Ed and Eddie Bizub) years ago and my second, acquired a few years ago that Eddie gave special attention to. That double canceled cover is the highlight cover this week.

That cover, number 215 of 300, has a second cancel dated May 5, 2011 from Cape Canaveral to mark the 50th anniversary of MR-3. And as noted on the back of the cover by Eddie, on that special day, it "...was placed on the launch table at Launch Complex 5 at the Cape Canaveral AFS....for the 50th anniversary of Alan Shepard's Mercury Redstone-3 launch."

To make these covers even more special, Eddie affixed the just-released Shepard/MR-3 commemorative stamps to his anniversary covers. Below the cover is an information stuffer card that was inserted inside all the MR-3 Special Edition Space Craft covers.

The top cover is from Ken Havekotte's collection, which Shepard signed in person, with "Freedom 7" added. The cover below was acquired from E&E Space Covers back in the '80's and then signed by Shepard.

While only 300 of these special MR-3 covers were made, they can still be found and possibly Eddie still has some available, along with some canceled for the 50th anniversary.

posted 08-17-2015 12:54 PM               

When my dad and I purchased the balance of Joe Fitzpatrick's stock from his widow in 1988 there were quite a few of these covers, as well as many other Space Craft Covers both common and rare. I chose to use about a dozen of the Shepard covers to commemorate the 50th anniversary of this historic launch. I had a couple cancelled with the First Day of Issue for the Shepard stamp and the rest for the actual anniversary the next day.

As a volunteer at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station I have access to all the old launch pads and took covers out for all six manned Project Mercury 50th anniversaries. I thought it would be neat to place these covers on the launch pad for the anniversary.

I do not have any of these to sell. They were all done for family and friends. I do however have a few of the regular Shepard Airmails still available. Regularly priced at $60, I will offer them to any cS member for $50 until August 31. First come first served while supplies last. Just go to my website Liberty Bell 7 Space Covers to place an order.