1971 Brooke Bond Picture Cards : The Race into Space

Man's first 50 steps into the universe

Brooke Bond Picture Cards: The Race into Space was released in 1971 by Brooke Bond Oxo Ltd. of Surrey. The 50-card series was distributed in the United Kingdom with purchases of Brooke Bond Tea. The Race into Space collector album was sold separately for five pence. A fold-out wallchart was available from participating retailers.

The series showcases the history of space exploration from the launch of Sputnik 1 to Skylab and the Viking probes. The picture cards were illustrated by David Lawson. The text was authored by Kenneth Gatland and Michael Wilson. The collector album cover was painted by Roy Cross. The album pages were illustrated by Howard Dyke and Clive Harris. The album foreword was authored by astronomer Patrick Moore.

Each card measures approximately 1.5 x 2.75 inches (37 x 69 mm). The card text on the 1971 release is printed in blue ink. A reprint series issued in 1974 contains card text printed in black ink.

"Gemini 3" depicts Gemini 4 astronaut Ed White during the first American EVA on June 3, 1965.

The "Surveyor 3" illustration is based on a photograph of Apollo 12 Commander Pete Conrad from November 20, 1969. The original photo was taken by Lunar Module Pilot Alan Bean. The Lunar Module Intrepid can be seen in the background.