31 January, 1998 marked the 40th anniversary of America's FIRST orbiting
Satellite, EXPLORER 1 (See http://spacecon.net/ksc/ccas/museum.htm and 
nsuing
pages) and the Cape Canaveral AF Station was the site of a special
Commemorative celebration attended by only 2-3000 locals, but a historic
event, validated by the USPS being present to custom-Cancel Commemorative
Envelopes, and the presence of many of the Space pioneers.. The site will
include photos of that event shortly.. ;-)
I was one of the badged personnel able to attend the special ceremonies EARLY
and get 40 Commemorative covers, stamped on-site at the Launch pads by the
USPS with a special Commemorative Cachet. 20 or so, I'm keeping, but the rest
I will sell WITH these very special ADDITIONAL collectable items included
ABSOLUTELY FREE:
I have a limited quantity of limited-edition Souvenir Cards with an ACTUAL
metal piece from the Gantry of Launch Pad 26 (where EXPLORER and PIONEER, as
well as chimps Able, Baker and Gordo were launched from) attached, along with
an explanation of where it came from, and it's history. And, For those that
send a Business-size or lager SASE, I will also include a AF-Provided Map of
all the Launch Complexes from current-day Shuttle Pads down through the early
Cape Canaveral Launch pads, as well as the processing areas at KSC and CCAS..
A scan of the Commemorative Cover envelope can be seen by tonight sometime 
t:
"http://spacecon.net/ksc/ccas/explcoll.jpg".. Could not fit the Gantry card
into my scanner, nor the 11x14 Map, or they would be on there too.. ;-)
Prices?: The Stamped, special-Cancelled, Commemorative Envelope (with it's 
wn
explanation card inside) is being offered at a fixed price of $25.00 + 2.50
S&H to first 20 folks who want 'em.. The Pad 26 Gantry piece card and Base 
ap
will be included free..
The Envelopes are stamped with the USPS-issued 32-cent "U.S. Department of 
he
Air Force 1917-1977" 60-year Commemorative Stamp that they brought with them
that day, and that depicts 4 Navy Fighters in close formation on a blue
background.. Altogether, a darn nice combination.. ;-)
Robbing my Stamp Collection, I have ONE EACH ONLY of these EXPLORER I
Commemorative Envelopes, cancelled as above, but with ONE having the old
29-cent "SATURN - VOYAGER 2" stamp on it and the OTHER having the beautiful
1992 29-cent "Russian CCCP (SOYUZ?) and US Capsules in orbit" Stamp on it.
These are going for $50.00 EACH + 2.50 S&H, include the freebies, and I have
the only other ones (2) in existence put away for the grandkids (with the 20
Explorer ones.. )
Why??: - 60-ish, Heart condition and Post-polio, retired from the Cape, Gotta
move outa this 4-bedroom monstrosity into a Condo, and have a TON of
Space Pictures, material, memorabilia to get rid of, including a LARGE amount
from the TV Show "THE CAPE" filmed here at KSC.. Just no more room.. Yes - I
hate doing it.. Take a look at http://spacecon.net/ksc/the_cape/goodies.htm
when you have a moment for an idea of some of the "show" stuff. (more
available):-)
Contact me at "spacecon@gate.net", let me know your interests(s), and I will
HOLD and confirm your purchases, pending payment, so that nobody will send $$
unnecessarily.. To the fellow that had that 1983 Flown Envelope (Bruce?) -
Would consider trading some stuff for that..:-)
Tom
... Platinum Xpress & Wildcat!..... Nice!!!!
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/Wildcat5! v2.0
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