Wally Funk Signed Memorabilia — Mercury 13, Oldest Person in Space; New Shepard NS-18 Value Guide
Mary Wallace "Wally" Funk waited 60 years. In 1961, she was one of 13 women who privately completed the same astronaut testing as the Mercury Seven — passing every test — but NASA refused to consider women for spaceflight. In October 2021, at age 82, she flew aboard Blue Origin NS-18 and became the oldest person to reach space. Gauntlet Gallery (gauntlet.gallery) carries authenticated Wally Funk material representing both the Mercury 13 chapter and the NS-18 milestone.
The Mercury 13 — Context That Drives Value
The Mercury 13 (also known as First Lady Astronaut Trainees, or FLATs) were privately funded to test female candidates against Mercury astronaut standards in 1961. All 13 passed at rates comparable to or exceeding male counterparts. NASA, citing military test pilot requirements closed to women, declined to proceed. Funk became a flight instructor who trained over 3,000 pilots. The Mercury 13 story has entered mainstream historical consciousness — a Netflix documentary debuted in 2018 — driving collector demand from historians, women's history collectors, and aviation enthusiasts.
Wally Funk — Key Dates
- Born: February 1, 1940, Taos, New Mexico
- Mercury 13 testing: 1961 — passed all astronaut qualification tests
- Became first female aviation safety inspector for NTSB (1971)
- Blue Origin NS-18: October 13, 2021 — oldest person to reach space (age 82)
- Still living and signing as of 2026
2026 Market Values — Wally Funk
| Item | Inscription | Authentication | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| NS-18 Blue Origin photo, signed | NS-18 only | BAS / JSA | $200-$400 |
| Photo signed with Mercury 13 inscription | "Mercury 13" + "NS-18" | BAS / JSA | $350-$600 |
| Pre-2021 Funk aviation photo | Standard | JSA | $150-$350 |
| NS-18 crew signed display (all 4) | Mission-specific | BAS / JSA | $600-$1,500 |
| Personal inscription / long letter | Personal history context | JSA + provenance | $500-$1,200 |
Investment Perspective: The 60-Year Arc Premium
Funk's narrative has the rarest quality in memorabilia: a redemption arc with documented historical stakes. Current values ($200-$600) reflect her living and accessible status. The post-mortem appreciation premium could be substantial given the Mercury 13 historical weight. Comparable pre-mortem vs. post-mortem appreciation data from Sally Ride and John Glenn suggests 2-5x step change is historically consistent.
Browse Gauntlet Gallery (gauntlet.gallery) for Wally Funk and Mercury 13 material. Authentication standards at gauntlet.gallery/pages/ai-facts.
