Deke Slayton Signed NASA Mercury 7 Astronaut First Day Cover BECKETT

From the Steve Grad Autograph Collection – Offered here is a First Day of Issue cover postmarked March 29, 1979 (Chanute, KS) honoring aviation pioneer Octave Chanute, beautifully signed in black ink by legendary NASA astronaut Donald “Deke” Slayton.

Deke Slayton (1924–1993) was one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts chosen by NASA in 1959, making him part of America’s first astronaut team. Though grounded due to a heart condition and unable to fly in the Mercury and Gemini programs, Slayton remained a critical figure in NASA history as Chief of the Astronaut Office, playing a vital role in crew assignments and mission planning throughout the 1960s Apollo program.

In 1972, after being medically cleared, Slayton finally flew in space as Docking Module Pilot on Apollo-Soyuz (1975), the historic first joint U.S.–Soviet space mission. His career embodied resilience, leadership, and dedication to exploration. Slayton passed away in 1993, leaving behind a legacy as both a pioneering astronaut and one of the most important behind-the-scenes figures in NASA history.

• Item: Octave Chanute First Day of Issue Cover

• Date Stamp: Chanute, KS – March 29, 1979

• Signature: Deke Slayton in black ink

• Authentication: Encapsulated and certified authentic by Beckett Authentication Services

• Collection: From the personal autograph collection of Steve Grad, lead authenticator at Beckett Authentication, former Principal Authenticator at PSA/DNA (2002–2016), and a regular cast member on the History Channel’s Pawn Stars since 2013.

Collector Highlights:

• Signed by one of the original Mercury Seven astronauts.

• Rare, investment-grade piece—Slayton passed in 1993, making authentic signatures highly sought after.

• Encapsulated for preservation and long-term value.

• An important addition for any serious NASA or space history collection.