28. [Project Mercury] STUNNING PORTRAIT OF THE FIRST THREE AMERICANS IN SPACE: Gus Grissom, John Glenn and Alan Shepard NASA, March 1961 Printed 1961. Vintage chromogenic print on early fibre-based Kodak paper. With traces of previous mounting and "EKC" watermark on the reverse (issued by NASA). 20.3 x 25.4 cm. (8 x 10 in.) Historical context This striking early colour photograph captures Virgil "Gus" Grissom, John Glenn, and Alan Shepard (left to right), NASA's first space pioneers, dressed in their iconic silver pressure suits as they prepared for America's first ventures into space. These suits, engineered for survival and mobility, became an enduring visual emblem of the Space Age. This image stands as a symbol of technological innovation, human ingenuity, and the courage that launched humanity's journey into the cosmos. The Mercury Seven, introduced to the public in 1959, represented America's first group of astronauts, selected to lead the nation's efforts in the Space Race against the Soviet Union during the height of the Cold War. Virgil "Gus" Grissom, John Glenn, and Alan Shepard were central figures in the Mercury program and became national heroes, personifying the bravery, determination, and skill needed to push the boundaries of human exploration. Their expressions, a mixture of confidence and camaraderie, reflect the optimism and ambition of NASA's formative years. This portrait not only highlights the personalities of the astronauts but also underscores the Mercury program's role in laying the foundation for subsequent missions. The success of Mercury paved the way for the Gemini and Apollo programs, culminating in the historic Moon landing in 1969.