A 1961 Russian Soviet era envelope or postal cover dedicated to first Soviet pilot astronaut Yuri Gagarin. The envelope is adorned with a printed portrait photo of Yuri Gagarin to the left side, and signed by Yuri Gagarin, upper to the center. Stamped, 1962 USSR Anniversary of the First Flight of Man into Space Dushanbe Post Office, to the center right. Published by Publication of the USSR Ministry of Communications, Moscow, 1961. Marked on the backside. Painted by Yuri Vasilievich Ryakhovsky, 1923 to 2006, a Soviet artist and writer, author of many USSR postage stamps. Yuri Gagarin was a Soviet Air Forces pilot and cosmonaut who became the first human to journey into outer space, achieving a major milestone in the Space Race; his capsule, Vostok 1, completed one orbit of Earth on 12 April 1961. Russian Soviet Era, Space, Politician Autographed Photos, Postal Stamps, Cards, and Covers, Graphic Art Prints, and Collectibles.