SIGNIFICANT CHRISTA MCAULIFFE ARCHIVE

Complete Archive of retained copies of telegrams from McAuliffe's local Western Union office in New Hampshire. This groups contains a total of one hundred and eight (108) telegrams bundled into fifty two (52) packets. This fascinating archive includes telegrams dated between July 19, 1985 and September 15, 1986, thus encompassing the period from McAuliffe's selection as the first teacher in space through her tragic death along with the other astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Highlights from the important and unique collection include a congratulatory letter from Pad39a promising McAuliffe a "smooth liftoff," and a touching expression of condolences from Ronald and Nancy Reagan: "When Nancy and I met you and your family at the Johnson Space Center, we felt the grief, the pain and the loss that had brought us all together in Houston. I need not tell you that all American shares your sorrow. Great is your loss -- This teacher, this mother, this wife, this wonderful woman who ached to realize her childhood dream of becoming an astronaut … I wish there were words to heal your pain … When at last the tears have dried, le us be strengthened by the shining memory of the beauty of Christa's life and the courage of her final quest. She lived the lesson she never tired of imparting to her students: Strive always to be the best you can -- reach for the stars. Now she is with him who fashioned the stars and the sun and the moon." Additional telegrams include touching congratulatory and letters of condolence from numerous teachers, students and educational boards, for example, a telegram from the Dar County Board of Education in Kitty Hawk, NC that reads: "The fact that Mrs. McAuliffe was selected from 11,000 applicants speaks to the outstanding qualifications she possessed as a person and a teacher. We who live where man's first successful powered flights took place in Kitty Hawk 83 years ago are especially aware of the great sense of adventure, courage and sacrifice that are an integral part of all man's efforts in exploring and conquering the skies and beyond. Christa McAuliffe's life and death will serve as an inspiration to each of us and to many generations to come" Other significant telegrams contained in the this archive include a number of eloquent expressions of deep regret from Reverend Billy Graham as well as telegrams from various state politicians and private citizens nationwide that had been inspired by McAuliffe. Moreover, this archive also features an official copy of a telegram from NASA regarding McAuliffe's impending training as well as a copy of a September 15, 1986 telegram inviting Christa's widowed husband to attend a dinner for the families of the Space Shuttle Challenger held by Vice President and Mrs. Bush. This truly fascinating and historically significant archive powerfully captures the inspiring nature of Christa McAuliffe role as the first participant in the Teacher in Space program and the far reaching effect of the Challenger Disaster in the national psyche. Original Western Union notation and corporation logo on some telegrams. Most staples still present. Some edge wear. Overall all telegrams in Very Fine condition. For additional information regarding this lot, please do not hesitate to contact us.