Yuri Gagarin
n.p., n.d.
Gagarin, Nikolayev, Popovich, Bykovsky Signed Postcard
Signed card

Soviet postcard featuring a black and white photograph of eleven of the top USSR cosmonauts signed by Yuri Gagarin in navy blue ink upper central portion, Valery Bykovsky in light blue ink in the upper right corner, Andriyan Nikolayev in dark blue ink under the image of his face, and Pavel Popovich in black ink in the lower right. Measures 5.75" x 4", n.p., n.d. Light toning and minor blunting to corners, else fine and beautifully signed by four notable cosmonauts.

The Soviet Union launched its Vostok space program in 1961, conducting six missions, and achieving many firsts, over an intensive two-year period at the height of the Cold War Space Race. Selection and training of Soviet cosmonauts began in 1959. Its first candidates were male, between 25-30, within specific height and weight parameters, and physically fit. They endured a battery of tests that measured physical and psychological endurance as well as technical skills. Most of the cosmonauts had previously served in the Soviet Air Force. Of more than 200 candidates, 20 were chosen. Yuri Gagarin was the first cosmonaut and first man in space. He manned the Vostok I space capsule on April 12, 1961, making a full orbit around Earth lasting 108 minutes before parachuting into the atmosphere at 23,000 feet. On August 11, 1962, Andriyan Nikolayev, commander of Vostok III, became the third cosmonaut and seventh man in space. Pavel Popovich, pilot of the Vostok IV, became the fourth cosmonaut and eighth man in space on launching on his mission on August 12, 1962. And Valery Bykovsky launched on the Vostok 5 mission on June 14, 1963, in which he set a space endurance record of five days in orbit. Although this duration has been surpassed by multi-crew flights, it remains the record for a solo spaceflight.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 5.75" x 4"
  • Medium: Signed card

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July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
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