Nation of Celestial Space ephemera, 1931-2017.

The collection is open for research use.

The Nation of Celestial Space ephemera contain promotional materials relating to James T. Mangan and his micronation, the Nation of Celestial Space. The items issued concerning the micronation include declarations and proclamations, two published reports, passports to the Moon, stamps, checks, and photographs. A number of facsimile items are also included, such as news clippings, letters, and passports. A very small number of personal items, such as a Christmas card and a business card, are also present. This collection does not contain personal papers or institutional records.

American Numismatic Society Nation of Celestial Space records, 1948-2022.

The Nation of Celestial Space’s coinage is stored in the coin collection.

“The Knack of Selling Yourself” by James T. Mangan The book was acquired with this collection but was catalogued and shelved separately as non-archival.

The Nation of Celestial Space (Celestia) is a micronation founded by James T. Mangan on the 20th of December, 1948. Mangan, who resided in Evergreen Park, Illinois, was a publicity agent and an author of self-help books. He founded the micronation by laying claim to all space not occupied by celestial bodies and declared himself the First Representative. Over a period of decades Mangan sold coins and stamps, issued passports to the Moon, and published reports on the progress of Celestia. In 1958 Mangan applied for membership in the United Nations, and during the 1960s wrote letters to NASA and the United States Army to promote his micronation. Mangan passed away in 1970 and with him went the driving force behind the Nation of Celestial Space, although the micronation does still maintain a website and Mangan’s descendants were given titles such as Duke of Alpha Centauri. The most enduring product of the micronation are its coins, the erg, the silver joule, and the gold celeston, which have all become highly collectible.

pda stabilized 20230816 Removed staples from the binding of the two copies of “The First Seven Years” and flattened them.

pda digitized 20230816 Scanned the best copy of “The First Seven Years” as a PDF.

pda digitized 20230819 Opened the top of the leaves to allow scanning and scanned “Second Report to the Universe” to a PDF.

pda housed 20251010 Arranged all items in chronological order.

pda stabilized 20251121 Removed staples from the binding of the third copy of “The First Seven Years” and “Second Report to the Universe” and flattened them.

• lhmtat Main lair shelves