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Last updated on Monday, November 18, 2013
(UNDATED) - An authentic letter Mitchell astronaut Virgil “Gus” Grissom wrote to his mother in October of 1961 is being auctioned this week at RR Auctions, an Internet auction house based in Amherst, NH.
The auction began on Thursday and will conclude on November 21.
Officials believe the rare handwritten letter, being sold by Lowell Grissom, Gus' brother, could sell for more than $80,000.
A similar letter written by fellow Astronaut Alan Shepard sold for more than $100,000.
In Grissom's letter, dated Oct. 7, 1961, he gives his mother insight into John Glenn being chosen as the pilot of the first orbital mission of the Mercury program.
He tells her he probably should have called, but "I've got some news I don't think I should talk about on the phone... no one is to know a selection has been made, so keep it under your hat. I just wanted to ease your mind a bit."
The letter also discusses family life and talks about his wife Betty and their sons Mark and Scott.
The letter is two pages front and back and comes with the envelope. To view the letter visit rrauction.com
As of 7 a.m. Sunday morning the bid for the letter was $1,952.
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