Russian Cosmonauts



4 Soviet Cosmonauts Signed Photo Including Yuri Gagarin   

Ca. 1965 period black and white period photograph signed by 4 Soviet cosmonauts from the Vostok Space Program. The cosmonauts, dressed in Soviet Air Force uniforms, pose in a row. Laid down on a cream colored textured mat. A few wrinkles mostly affecting Gagarin's image, and Titov's signature is slightly smeared. Otherwise in very good to near fine condition with expected light wear to glossy photo surface. Photo measures 5.875" x 4.25" while overall mat size is 8.875" x 7".  

Signed by (left to right): Yuri Gagarin (1934-1968), Andriyan Nikolayev (1929-2004), Pavel Popovitch (1930-2009), and Gherman Titov (1935-2000). Signatures are bold and dark, inscribed in black and blue ball point and felt tip pen in Cyrillic letters along the bottom margin.

  The Cold War was the backdrop of 1950s space programs developed in the United States and the Soviet Union. The two ideologically opposed juggernauts flexed their muscle in many ways, from the nuclear arms race to the Space Race. The Soviet Union launched its Vostok space program in 1961, conducting six missions -- and achieving many firsts -- during the next two years. Its successor, the Voskhod space program, ran from 1964-1965.  

Selection and training of Soviet cosmonauts began in 1959. Its first candidates were male, between 25-30, within specific height and weight parameters, and physically fit. They endured a battery of tests that measured physical and psychological endurance as well as technical skills. Most of the cosmonauts had previously served in the Soviet Air Force. Of more than 200 candidates, 20 were chosen, of which these 4 pictured cosmonauts were some. The Sochi 6, also known as the Vanguard 6, were the best and brightest of this 20-person cohort.  

Yuri Gagarin (far left) was the first man in space. He manned the Vostok I space capsule on April 12, 1961, making a full orbit around Earth lasting 108 minutes before parachuting into the atmosphere at 23,000 feet. The Americans responded with their own manned orbital space flight 10 months later.

Soviet aeronautics may have been advanced enough to send a man and woman to space, but it was still riddled with dangers. Fellow cosmonaut Vladimir Komarov (1927-1967) died under horrific circumstances in the April 1967 Soyuz I mission. Yuri Gagarin was killed in a routine training mission at age 34 less than a year later.

A remarkable photograph signed by 4 Soviet cosmonauts, from the early days of the space program!


WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!