This fascinating group of original 1960s vintage gelatin silver print photographs relate to the development of the highly important Telstar and Early Bird communication satellites which launched between 1962-5. There are 30 images here (27 cm wide x 20.5 cm high) which were released for media use by different involved parties including Bell Telephone Laboratory, Hughes Aircraft Company, US Airforce, Office of Public Information and the American Telegraph & Telephone Company. There are also over 20 associated typed fact sheets and press releases. This group mainly date to between 1961-65. There are a few that relate to the EROS satellite of 1972.
The Telstar 1 (launched in July 1962) was the first satellite to relay a live transatlantic television feed as well as provide telephone and telegraph links. It was also the first private satellite to be launched, but persistent problems meant it had to be switched off permanently in 1963. Telstar 1 was replaced by a further group of private satellites from within the consortium, and in 1965 they released Intelsat 1 (affectionately named Early Bird) which was the first geosynchronous satellite. Because it tracked the earth’s orbit and did not spin, only a single base station was need to communicate with it.
As images for the press these photos and fact-sheets would never have been released in very large numbers and are visually attractive. Some were clearly intended for release as the events happened, while others are official prints and descriptions issued upon request from their own archives. They are offered in good condition overall with light age related wear. Almost all the images bear a description to the back or on an associated sheet.
Please note no ownership of image copyright or information is asserted or transferred via this sale.
