Project Mercury Commemorative Stamp, 1962, Fifty Stamp Sheet

Item — Box: 3437.001, Folder: 15

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

This collection contains materials, both published and unpublished, that document the history of the state of Alabama. Materials include items such as reprints, pamphlets, typescripts, and photocopies of documents relating to individuals, organizations, cities, and a large number of other topics. These materials have been gathered by and given to the W.S. Hoole Special Collections since the 1970s.

Dates

Creation: circa 1859-2011

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. Manuscript collections and archival records may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Due to the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to certain materials may require additional advance notice.

Extent

From the Collection: 19.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

General

The Project Mercury Commemorative Stamp was printed by the U.S. Post Office in 1962. It has the distinction of being the first time in U.S. history that a previously unannounced commemorative stamp was issued simultaneously with the event it memorialized. It was printed in secret on the relative new Giori Press which permitted two-color engraving from a single plate, in one pass through the press. Rumors circulated that the press was being used to print test runs of multicolor money, when in fact, it was printing the stamp honoring American astronaut John Glenn's mission to orbit the Earth, well before the mission took place. The stamp designer worked from home while claiming to be on vacation; the engraver also gave the impression that he was on leave, but actually came in at night. Another engraver did the lettering on weekends.