Very early TLS signed “Virgil I. Grissom,” one page, 8 x 10.5, NASA letterhead, July 31, 1961. Letter to Werner Pfister, in full: "Thank you for your recent letter. We certainly hope you will remember these pioneer American rocket flights. Perhaps when you grow up, you too will be able to take a trip into outer space. We all must work hard to make these things available." In fine condition, with several staples holes to the edges.Less than three months after the flight of Alan Shepard's Freedom 7, Gus Grissom earned the distinction of becoming the second American to reach space when his Liberty Bell 7 launched on July 21, 1961. However, unlike the successful splashdown of Shepard, the premature opening of his capsule's hatch upon Atlantic touchdown nearly led to Grissom's drowning. Having already unbuckled most of his harnessing, Grissom was able to quickly free himself and escape from the sinking craft. After four to five minutes of treading water, an exhausted and relieved Grissom was lifted aboard a recovery helicopter. For his subsequent Gemini 3 mission, Grissom playfully named the spacecraft 'Molly Brown,' in reference to the Titanic's 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' and his own harrowing experience. Grissom remains highly sought-after across all formats, with this letter all the more desirable given that it was written just 10 days after his inaugural spaceflight.Format: TLS