Grechko, Georgy M.

Autograph manuscript by Grechko, kept duing Soyuz 26, Salyut 6, 10 December 1977–16 January 1978, with numerous color drawings by Yuri V. Romanenko



46 pages (paper size varies; approx. 11½ x 7¾ in.; 292 x 197 mm). Some leaves frayed at edges. Accompanied by explanatory notes written by Grechko in 1994.

Cosmonaut Georgy M. Grechko ("Russian Space History," Sotheby's, 16 March 1996, lot 237)

Cosmonaut Grechko's notes on the scientific observation of the earth and its atmosphere from Salyut 6, accompanied by Cosmonaut Romanenko's fine—almost psychedelic—drawings. These notes were made during a 96-day flight, at that time the longest recorded space flight. When the craft was moving through the aurora borealis, Grechko asked his partner, Romanenko, who was a better artist than Grechko, to make sketches. At first Romanenko refused, claiming he was too busy. Then Grechko offered to take Romanenko's duty in cleaning the toilets on the spacecraft. Romanenko agrees and proceeded to make a series of vivid drawings with colored felt-tip pens, showing the glow of the atmosphere, the setting moon and sun, and the glow of a city at night. The cosmonaut was making one of his drawings when a sudden ultrashortwave radio communication malfunction occured. On the verso of the drawing he wrote in large letters a suggestion that Grechko switch to short-wave or teletype communication.