Gene Cernan Gordon Fullerton Signed NASA Astronaut FDC BECKETT

From the Steve Grad Autograph Collection – Offered here is a Project Mercury First Day of Issue cover, postmarked Cape Canaveral, FL – February 20, 1962, featuring a block of four Mercury stamps. It is boldly signed by Apollo astronaut Eugene Cernan in blue ink and Space Shuttle astronaut Gordon Fullerton in black ink.

Eugene Cernan (1934–2017) flew on Gemini 9A (1966), Apollo 10 (1969), and commanded Apollo 17 (1972), where he became the last man to walk on the Moon. Cernan’s eloquent words as he departed the lunar surface reflected both pride and hope for future generations of explorers. His legacy as the final Apollo moonwalker has made his autograph among the most sought after in space collecting. Cernan passed away in 2017 at the age of 82.

Gordon Fullerton (1936–2013) served as Pilot on STS-3 (1982) and Commander on STS-51-F (1985) during the early years of the Space Shuttle program. A distinguished test pilot, Fullerton logged thousands of flight hours across dozens of aircraft in addition to over 380 hours in space. He passed away in 2013 at the age of 76.

• Item: NASA Project Mercury First Day of Issue Cover

• Date Stamp: Cape Canaveral, FL – February 20, 1962

• Signatures: Eugene Cernan (blue ink) & Gordon Fullerton (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:

• Dual-signed by the last man to walk on the Moon and a distinguished Shuttle commander.

• Both astronauts are deceased, making this a scarce and highly desirable collectible.

• Beckett encapsulated for authenticity, preservation, and long-term value.

• A museum-quality piece bridging the Apollo era to the early Shuttle program.