LOT #50012 |
Current Bid: $500
Missile Mail: U.S. Navy Regulus II "Missile Mail" Experimental Flown Cover with Original Documentation, 1958. ...
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Missile Mail: U.S. Navy Regulus II "Missile Mail" Experimental Flown Cover with Original Documentation, 1958. Reference: Ellington-Zwisler #22C1. A remarkable postal history and Cold War artifact: one of only 55 covers carried aboard a Regulus II cruise missile launched from the submarine USS Grayback (SSG-574) off the California coast and flown to Edwards Air Force Base, September 16, 1958. This was the first U.S. Government missile mail flight, a bold experiment showcasing both naval missile capability and the potential for rocket-borne mail delivery.The cover bears the Point Mugu / Port Hueneme branch postmark, along with "AIR MAIL" handstamp and official U.S. Navy cachet. Despite a crash landing caused by a landing gear malfunction, the missile's mail compartment was recovered intact, preserving the covers. Accompanying the cover is an official transmittal letter dated September 16, 1958, signed by Rear Admiral J. P. Monroe, Commander, U.S. Naval Air Missile Test Center. Addressed to Captain W. B. Miller, the letter specifically notes that "This letter was carried in this first submarine-launched Regulus II missile." This provenance is rarely encountered in surviving examples. Cover has light wear and a couple small stains, fine. Letter excellent. This lot was previously sold in a Harmer-Schau auction for $4,255 (Sale 98, Lot 988).
The Regulus II program was central to U.S. Navy nuclear deterrence strategy of the late 1950s, predating Polaris submarine-launched ballistic missiles. This philatelic demonstration underscored American technological prowess at the height of Cold War tensions. From the Family Collection of Jacques Bracke
Auction Info
2025 December 11 - 12 Space Exploration Signature® Auction #6326 (go to Auction Home page)
Proxy Bidding Ends
December
11th
Thursday
9:50 am CT
Auction Dates
December
11th-12th
Thursday-Friday
Proxy Bidding Time Remaining
8 Days
16h 24m 1s
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 1
Lot Tracking Activity: 4
Page Views: 107
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
25% of the successful bid (minimum $49) per lot.
This lot is in: 1 -
Signature® Floor Session (Live Floor, Live Phone, Mail, Fax, Internet, and Heritage Live):
(Lots 50001-50227) - 10:00 AM Central Time, Thursday, December 11, 2025.
[Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session.]
Exhibition Viewing Times, Title Page, Floor Session and License Information
Additional Location Info:
Heritage Auctions
2801 W. Airport Freeway
Dallas, TX 75261
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms