Ascension year 1987 Space Manned Flight postage stamps set MNH
In 1987, Ascension Island issued a set of stamps to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of the First American Manned Earth Orbit (John Glenn’s Friendship 7 mission). This set is a favorite for space topicals because of Ascension’s historical role as a tracking station for NASA.
1987 Manned Space Flight (25th Anniversary) Set
The set consists of 4 stamps, each highlighting a different stage or component of the historic 1962 flight.
| Denomination | Subject / Design | Stanley Gibbons (SG) |
| 12p | John Glenn and Friendship 7 Capsule | SG 428 |
| 15p | Atlas LV-3B Rocket Launch | SG 429 |
| 45p | Friendship 7 in Orbit over Earth | SG 430 |
| 60p | Recovery of the Capsule at Sea | SG 431 |
Key Details for Collectors
- Date of Issue: February 20, 1987.
- The Ascension Connection: The 45p and 60p stamps are particularly relevant because Ascension Island housed a vital NASA Tracking Station (at Devil’s Ashpit) that provided voice and telemetry support for the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions.
- Watermark: Crown and Script CA.
- Perforation: 14.
- Printing: Lithography by Questa.
Market Value
This set is widely available and very affordable for collectors building a space-themed album.
- Mint Never Hinged (MNH): Approximately £3.00 – £5.00 ($4.00 – $6.50 USD).
- First Day Cover (FDC): Usually retails for around £5.00 – £8.00, often featuring a special pictorial postmark of the tracking station antenna.
Other Space Issues
If you are looking for the “Evolution of Space Travel” set, that was a much larger definitive-style issue from 1971 (14 stamps). There was also a 1989 set for the 20th Anniversary of the Moon Landing.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.