Color Inscribed Photograph Signed de GLENN, John H., Jr. (1921-2016)

The first American to orbit the Earth (Project Mercury, 1962) had been a highly-decorated fighter pilot in World War Two, China and Korea before his distinguished NASA career, then became a highly-respected Democratic U.S. senator from Ohio (1974-99). Color IPS, 8" X 10", n.p., n.y. Near fine. Printed photograph, a head-and-shoulders smiling closeup of a young Glenn in suit and bow tie, a model of the Mercury ship visible at left in background. In a light area at lower left, he boldly inscribes and signs in black ink: "Best regards to / Donald Burnell - / John H. Glenn, Jr. / Mercury Astronaut." Undated, but early to mid-1960s vintage. Glenn used this image and added this credential only in the few years following his history-making earth-orbiting flight. A lovely example.