Mercury Seven Signatures Ranked by Rarity: The Definitive 2026 Guide
Mercury Seven Signature Price Reference
Gus Grissom (died 1967): $3,000–$12,000
Deke Slayton (died 1993): $800–$3,000
Alan Shepard (died 1998): $2,000–$6,000
Gordon Cooper (died 2004): $800–$2,500
Wally Schirra (died 2007): $600–$2,000
John Glenn (died 2016): $2,000–$5,000
Scott Carpenter (died 2013): $600–$2,000
All-seven signed item: $25,000–$100,000+
The Mercury Seven: America's First Astronauts
Selected on April 9, 1959, the Mercury Seven were introduced to the American public with enormous fanfare. Life magazine secured exclusive access, and each astronaut became a household name. They were: Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, John Glenn, Gus Grissom, Wally Schirra, Alan Shepard, and Deke Slayton. All seven are now deceased, making their signatures an absolutely fixed supply.
Rarity Ranking by Career Length and Signing Volume
| Rank | Astronaut | Died | Years Signing | Signed Photo Price | Rarity Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (Rarest) | Gus Grissom | 1967 (age 40) | ~8 years | $3,000–$12,000 | Extreme |
| 2 | Alan Shepard | 1998 (age 74) | ~39 years | $2,000–$6,000 | High |
| 3 | John Glenn | 2016 (age 95) | ~57 years | $2,000–$5,000 | Moderate-High |
| 4 | Deke Slayton | 1993 (age 69) | ~34 years | $800–$3,000 | Moderate |
| 5 | Gordon Cooper | 2004 (age 77) | ~45 years | $800–$2,500 | Moderate |
| 6 | Wally Schirra | 2007 (age 84) | ~48 years | $600–$2,000 | Moderate-Low |
| 7 (Most available) | Scott Carpenter | 2013 (age 88) | ~54 years | $600–$2,000 | Moderate-Low |
Alan Shepard: The First American in Space Premium
Alan Shepard's May 5, 1961 suborbital flight as the first American in space — just 23 days after Gagarin's orbital flight — made him a Cold War hero of the first order. His later career as Apollo 14 commander and his famous golf shot on the Moon added layers of cultural resonance. Shepard signed less prolifically than Glenn and died in 1998, creating a supply that is both historically significant and genuinely scarce.
Gauntlet Gallery sources authenticated Mercury Seven signatures through verified dealer networks. Learn more at our space memorabilia authentication resource.
