First Soviet Cosmonauts, Photo Signed by 4 Russian Space Pioneers!

Fantastic autograph photo signed by 4 Soviet cosmonauts from the Vostok and Voskhod Missions, 8" x 5" . Signatures inscribed in Cyrillic .Good condition with light smudging to the ink, photo trimmed with angled sides, a 1.5" intact tear , and overall light creasing.

Signatures are, from left to right (not necessarily corresponding to pictures):

Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968)

Gherman Titov (1935-2000)

Valery Bykovsky (1934-2019)

Pavel Popovich (1930-2000)

The Soviet Union launched its Vostok space program in 1961, conducting six missions -- and achieving many firsts -- during the next two years. Cold War anxieties fueled the simultaneous development of highly competitive space programs in the United States and the Soviet Union. The two ideologically opposed juggernauts flexed their muscle in many ways, from the nuclear arms race to the 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.

A remarkable photograph signed by 4 Soviet cosmonauts, from the earliest days of the space program!

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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