Project Mercury

World Stamp Today:

FEBRUARY 20, 1962

The "Project Mercury" postage stamp was issued on February 20, 1962. 

The stamps feature the “Friendship 7” space capsule flown by Col. John Glenn in the first successful orbit of the Earth. 

The stamp was designed by Charles R. Chickering. Richard M. Bower did the picture engraving while Howard F. Sharpless made the letter engraving.

On Feb. 20, 1962, Col. John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth successfully. 

While his capsule was being pulled from the water, the 4¢ Project Mercury stamps went on sale at post offices across the United States. 

If Glenn’s mission had ended in a catastrophic failure, the stamps would have been destroyed and never released. 

The Project Mercury stamp was cloaked in secrecy from the time it was conceived.

(Concept and research: Richard Allan Uy) All rights reserved