Just acquired a Gemini space flown Ed White

...mustard seed.

As demonstration of his faith, during his space walk, Ed White carried in his pocket mustard seeds from Israel. Approximately 1500 were prepared as souvenirs and given to friends and family on prepared posters, signed by Jim McDivitt. Other seeds, such as the one I purchased, were kept by the White family.

A mustard seed is a tiny memento, as compared to a 105.003-64 watch. But in some respects, a watch that is similar to a watch worn by Ed White, even a period vintage one, can't compare to an article that was on his body during his actual 20 minute space walk, floating along with him the whole time.

While his watch was a personal possession, it was a tool for him, much like his gloves, one of which floated out the door during his space walk (the right outer protective glove, which he didn't wear because he wanted a better grip on the gun.)

The mustard seeds were uniquely chosen items. He gave advance thought to finding a significant object to represent who he was as a person, as well as to commemorate a significant historical event. He stored the seeds in his suit, making sure they were safely tucked away, and he probably patted down the area once he was safely back inside the spaceship. As tiny as the seeds were, they no doubt were on his mind.

I can't believe things like these are available to purchase, or that they are so inexpensive. The auction was today and I am feeling pretty stoked right now.

Auction site photo:

I know the audience 😁

Bid and won. It's one seed. Ed White kept the seeds in Fliteline boxes, which is the box you see in the picture. Fliteline was a company that made metal medallions for each flight (with some exceptions.) The astronauts took the medallions into flight and then sold them. It was not sanctioned but overlooked.

The box was probably convenient for him and available. Besides the 1500 seeds that were in the poster presentation, there were some left over. Michael Orenstein was a famous collector who knew many NASA officials, including astronauts. At some point he met the White family and this is one of the seeds they gave him to sell or sold to him. He may have acquired that box you see with several seeds and split them. If anything, the picture may be intended to provide provenance. Just a guess