Peak season notice: Shipping for this category may take 14–21 business days after cleared payment. Thanks for your patience.
Soviet Awards and Certificates Archive as Presented to Kerim Kerimov, Early Soviet Space Pioneer, Long Classified. .....
Description
Soviet Awards and Certificates Archive as Presented to Kerim Kerimov, Early Soviet Space Pioneer, Long Classified. A remarkable group of five original Soviet award documents presented to Kerim Aliyevich Kerimov (1917-2003), a founding figure of the Soviet space program whose work shaped the launch and control of the world's first artificial satellites and human spaceflights. These official certificates and decrees trace the career of one of the USSR's most significant but long-classified scientific administrators, spanning from the early Cold War years through the height of the Space Race. Medals not present. Fine to excellent. As follows.Medal for the Launch of the First Artificial Earth Satellite (1961). Award certificate issued by the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, dated December 29, 1961, to Kerimov, commemorating the successful launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957, the world's first artificial satellite. Signed by Academy President Mstislav Keldysh and the Chief Scientific Secretary. Embossed seal of the Academy of Sciences at lower center. A landmark recognition of his involvement in the formative years of space exploration.
Commemorative Medal Certificate for the First Human Spaceflight (1961). Issued by the Academy of Sciences of the USSR, recognizing Kerimov for his role in the success of Yuri Gagarin's flight, the first human journey into space on April 12, 1961. Signed by Mstislav Keldysh and Chief Scientific Secretary M. A. Atyanov, featuring the Academy's emblematic Moscow University-style crest.
State Prize of the USSR (1950). Typed and officially stamped copy of the decree conferring upon Kerimov the State Prize of the USSR, Third Degree, "for the development of new radio equipment." Issued by the Committee on Lenin and State Prizes, with signatures and notarization dated October 23, 1969. This early recognition marks Kerimov's contributions to military and communications technology prior to his transition into rocketry and space systems.
Lenin Prize (1966). Certified copy of the Lenin Prize Diploma, awarded to Kerimov on April 21, 1966, for major scientific and technical achievements, likely related to the development of the manned space program during the Voskhod and Soyuz era. Official seal and notarial validation dated October 23, 1969. The Lenin Prize represented the highest civilian scientific honor in the Soviet Union.
Stalin Prize (1950). Official communication from the Committee on Stalin Prizes, dated 1950, summoning Kerimov to attend the awards ceremony for the presentation of his Stalin Prize Diploma and Badge of Honor. Stamped and signed by the committee secretary. This document situates Kerimov among the elite of postwar Soviet scientists.
Kerim Aliyevich Kerimov was one of the most secretive yet pivotal figures in Soviet aerospace history, long unidentified in the West due to the classified nature of his work. As a senior engineer and administrator, he directed aspects of launch operations, oversaw cosmonaut training, and chaired the State Commission for Manned Flights during the Vostok, Voskhod, and Soyuz programs. From an important collection of Soviet-era Space history
Auction Info
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
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
** Lots bearing estimates and without Consignor Reserve shall open at Heritage Auctions' discretion (usually 25% to 60% of the low estimate).