Gemini Program Memorabilia: Prices Realized, Value Factors & How to Sell

To auction, sell or consign your Gemini autographs and memorabilia, please email your description and photos to [email protected] of Nate D. Sanders Auctions (natedsanders.com).

What Were the Gemini Missions?

The Gemini Program followed the Mercury missions and launched 12 two-person spacecrafts to orbit Earth between 1964 and 1966. The main objectives of the Gemini missions were to test the ability of spacecrafts to be maneuvered, understand the human effects from a prolonged time spent in space, improve the spacecraft’s re-entry and landing on Earth and orbit the Earth while docking with another spacecraft. Americans first walked in space during the Gemini missions and they helped pave way for the Apollo missions.

Here’s Some Gemini Memorabilia We’ve Sold:

Gemini Collage Signed by 12 Astronauts — Sold for $6,250

Gemini autograph on a Gemini astronaut NASA photo collage. Paving the way for the Apollo program, Gemini missions first launched on 8 April 1964 and ended on 15 November 1966. Astronauts boldly sign their names in black, green and blue ink: ”Neil Armstrong”, ”Mike Collins”, ”Buzz Aldrin”, ”Richard Gordon”, ”Gordon Cooper”, ”James Lovell”, ”James G. McDivitt”, ”Gene Cernan”, ”Wally Schirra”, ”Charles Conrad”, ”Tom Stafford” and ”Frank Borman”. Verso includes a summary of the Gemini Program and captions for each photograph. Very minor creasing to corners, otherwise near fine condition. All signatures clean and striking.  Sold for $6,250.

Frank Borman Signed Gemini 7 Photo — Sold for $4,400

Frank Borman served as the command pilot for the Gemini 7 mission along pilot James Lovell Jr. This mission launched in December 1965, spent nearly 14 days in space proving that humans could withstand microgravity for the length of a lunar mission. This color 16 x 20 inch photo of Earth’s horizon is signed by Frank Borman and inscribed, “”Good night, Merry Christmas / and God Bless all on Earth / Frank Borman / Gemini VII”. Sold for $4,400.

Gemini 5 Flown Flag Signed by Gordon Cooper — Sold for $4,440

Unique handmade Christian flag gifted to NASA astronaut Gordon Cooper and carried by him on his Gemini 5 flight. Cooper authenticates and signs the red, white and blue flag in black pen: “This flag was flown on Gemini 5 August 21-29, 1965 / Gordon Cooper”. Cooper served as command pilot of the 8-day 120-revolution Gemini 5 mission which began on 21 August 1965. During the mission, Cooper and pilot Charles Conrad established a new space endurance record by traveling a distance of 3,312,993 miles in an elapsed time of 190 hours and 56 minutes. Cooper also became the first man to make a second orbital flight, taking the lead in man-hours in space for the U.S. by accumulating a total of 225 hours and 15 minutes. Flag, measuring 12″ x 8″ has one horizontal and vertical fold from being carried by Cooper, else fine condition. Sold for $4,440.

Gemini 6 Flown Fliteline Medallion — Sold for $4,375

Gemini 6 Fliteline flown gold plated sterling silver medallion. 100 medallions were flown, 90 in silver and 10 gold-plated. As one of the 10 gold-plated medals, front of medallion is engraved ”GTA-6” with astronauts Walter Schirra and Thomas Stafford’s last names printed. Verso is engraved ”GT-GT-6 / December 15-16, 1965”. Measures 1” in circumference with very minor tarnishing, else near fine condition. Coin is housed in original ”Fliteline” plastic case. With an LOA from Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert’s sister. Sold for $4,375.

Gemini 3 Space-Flown $2 Bill Signed By Gus Grissom & John Young — Sold for $3,750

Gemini 3 space-flown two-dollar bill signed by Gus Grissom and John Young. The first pair of Americans ever in space sign the currency: ”Gus Grissom / GT-3” and ”John Young / 3-23-65” in red felt tip. Signed bill comes mounted to a certificate that reads in full: ”This is to certify that the currency with serial number A76270198A did as a matter of fact accompany ‘Gus’ Grissom & John Young on their three orbit flight, March 23, 1965, in the Gemini Space Craft ‘Molly Brown.’ Accomplishing the ‘Free World’s’ first two-manned space venture / [signed] Gus Grissom / John Young”. The signed bills were at the center of a prank, told in full in Russell Still’s book, ”Relics of the Space Race”; Grissom reportedly moved the bills from their hiding place behind the instrument panel and substituted play money so that when the launch supervisor in charge of the flown souvenirs went to retrieve them, he found the play money instead. The truth came out after a few weeks and the bills were given out to Cape Canaveral personnel. Series 1953C $2 bill is near fine and comes mounted to a 10” x 7.5” COA, also near fine, framed to an overall size of 11” x 8.5”.  Sold for $3,750.

Gemini 5 Flown Kennedy Half-Dollar — Sold for $2,200

Kennedy half-dollar flown on the Gemini 5 mission. Fifty-cent coin is encased in lucite reading along rim, “Gemini V – Aug. 21, 1965 / Cooper-Conrad”. Lucite measures 2.375″ in diameter. Near fine condition with bright coloration. Scarce. Sold for $2,200.

Gemini 4 Crew Signed Launch Photo — Sold for $2,000

The Gemini 4 mission took place between June 3 – June 7, 1965 and included James McDivitt and Edward White as the crew. This was the longest mission the U.S. had conducted at the time andduring the mission Edward White became the first American to spacewalk. We sold a Gemini 4 photo on “A Kodak Paper” signed by McDivitt and White for $2,000.

Space Flown Gemini 3 Medallion — Sold for $1,954

Gus Grissom’s Gemini 3 space flown medallion. Sterling silver medallion features a relief of the Molly Brown spacecraft and the names of John Young and Gus Grissom. Opposite side features mission abbreviation “GT-3” and is engraved, “March 23, 1965″. Sterling silver coin measures 1”. Near fine. From the estate of Gus Grissom and with an LOA from his son. Sold for $1,954.

Jack Swigert Owned Gemini 9A Flown Medallion — Sold for $1,800

Gemini 9A Fliteline flown medallion, from the personal collection of Apollo 13 astronaut Jack Swigert. Medallion is one of the rare gold-plated sterling silver medallions flown aboard the mission, designed in the shape of a shield with the mission insignia on front. Back has the names of the crew: “STAFFORD” and “CERNAN”, along with “GEMINI IX”, the date of the mission “JUNE 3-6, 1966″ and the sterling mark. Measures 1″ x .75”, housed in burgundy pouch. Some tarnishing, overall very good condition. With an LOA from Jack Swigert’s niece. Sold for $1,800.

Edward White Signed Photo From Gemini IV — Sold for $1,563

Stunning large 14” x 11” photo signed by astronaut Edward White during the Gemini IV mission where White became the first man to perform EVA activity outside the spacecraft, as shown here. White inscribes the photo ”To Bob – With Best Regards, / Edward H White II / Gemini II – 3 June ’65”, with White either mis-writing II when he meant IV, or writing ”4” with a line drawn above it. Photo was given to Bob Kerr, owner of the graphics shop O&R Naval Air, who was tasked with writing instructions for the camera used in the Gemini IV mission. Semi-glossy photo is mounted to board measuring 18.25” x 15.5”. Board is lightly toned with chipping to edges, though photo itself is near fine. Accompanied by eight other space photos from Mr. Kerr’s collection. Sold for $1,563.

Signed Gemini 4 Space Walk Photo of Ed White — Sold for $1,074

Gemini autograph of astronaut Edward H. White signed space walk photo. Boldly signed and inscribed in black ink to a doctor in the space program, “To Dr. Mock / Best Wishes / Edward H. White.” Photo text reads: “Gemini-4 Astronaut Edward H. White II, With Maneuvering Unit and Camera, Takes a Walk in Space.” Image measures 8″ x 10″. Slight foxing to edges, otherwise excellent condition.   Sold for $1,074.

FAQs

How do I consign or sell my Gemini mission memorabilia?
It’s never been easier to sell your Gemini memorabilia at Nate D. Sanders Auctions. Email a description and images of your item to [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can with a free appraisal.

This sounds great and I’d like to move forward. What’s the consignment process like at Nate D. Sanders Auctions?
We’ll send you more information about our auction house along with an agreement to review. Your item will appear in our next auction. Unlike many auction houses, we hold monthly auctions and pay you within an industry-leading 45 days following the auction.

What factors determine the value of Gemini memorabilia or autographs?
The value of your memorabilia can vary based on condition, mission it’s associated with, and if there are autographs.