Joe Walker, X-15 Pilot, signed postal cover

Joe Walker (February 20, 1921 – June 8, 1966) flew the X-15 rocket plane 25 times, and exceeded a 50 mile altitude three times, qualifying him as an astronaut by US Air Force standards.

Joe Walker was killed on June, 8 1966, when his F-104 Starfighter collided with a North American XB-70 Valkyrie. Walker's Starfighter was in a tight formation for a General Electric publicity photo when his F-104 collided with the XB-70's right wingtip.

Joe walker signed X-15 Sarzin postal cover

Due to his untimely death at the relatively young age of 45, Walker is a desirable and uncommon autograph... especially in 8x10 photograph format. Expect to pay a few hundred dollars for a postal cover and $600 - $700 or more for a signed 8x10 photograph. Due to the high value and demand, Joe Walker forgeries exist in quantity.

Forrest Petersen, X-15 Pilot autographed postal cover

Forrest Petersen (1922 - 1990) flew five flights on the X-15. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and retired as a Navy Vice Admiral.

James W. Zollickoffer (1925-2007) whose address label appears on this postal cover had quite a military career himself. Zollickoffer served in the Marine Corps in World War II and Korea. 

X-15 photo signed by 11 pilots

X-15 photo signed by eleven of the X-15 twelve pilots. Offered by RR Auction from the Robert Shaw collection.

Even though I review hundreds of space and aviation autographs every month, I always enjoy looking at cool items. Every once-in-a-while something comes along that really knocks me out of my chair... and this X-15 multi-signed photo is one of them.

RR Auction is offering this X-15 photo signed by eleven of the twelve X-15 pilots from the Robert Shaw collection. Robert was a well-known and regarded collector who passed away in 1994. 

To my knowledge, no single item exists that was signed by all twelve X-15 pilots due to the untimely death of Mike Adams. So, eleven of the twelve is probably the best you will ever do. In speaking with other seasoned collectors, I am aware of only one other item signed by eleven.

As of this writing, the photo is at $1,612 with over two weeks until it closes. Where it ends will be anyone's guess, but I suspect some deep-pocketed collectors will be battling it out.