Chris Calle (B. 1961) “John Glenn – 1998”

Chris Calle (B. 1961) “John Glenn 1998 in Space” Signed lower right. Mixed Media on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting originally appeared on the Republic of the Marshall Islands John Glenn – Hero in Space 60c Astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, 1998 stamp issued October 29, 1998.

A genuine hero, John Glenn has served America as a marine pilot in World War II — including flying an F4U Corsair fighter plane for 59 missions in the Marshall Islands — and the Korean War, a pioneering astronaut in the space race with the Soviet Union and, for the last 24 years, as a senator from Ohio. On Octoer 29, 1998, Glenn is scheduled to return to space aboard the shuttle Discovery. At age 77, Glenn will be the oldest person ever to fly in space — nearly twice the age of the average astronaut. In an attempt to better understand the aging process, Glenn will be subjected throughout the flight to numerous tests monitoring, among other things, his heart rate, respiration, blood volume and pressure. Glenn looks forward to the challenges that await him, declaring, “This is another adventure into the unknown.”

Image Size: 9.25 x 10.5 in.
Overall Size: 12.25 x 17.75 in.