The stamp, printed in intaglio, features a drawing of the type of plane typically used in the early days of airmail, a Curtiss JN4H biplane. On the 100th anniversary of the beginning of regular airmail service, this stamp celebrates the courage of the pioneering airmail carriers and the foresight of those who fostered the new service and made it a success. This Forever stamp will always be equal in value to the current First Class Mail one ounce price.

The United States Air Mail stamp is being issued as a Forever stamp. It set up lighted airfields and erected hundreds of airmail guide beacons between New York and San Francisco so that by 1924 regularly scheduled, transcontinental flying was possible, day and night.Īirmail delivery, daily except on Sundays, became part of the fabric of the American economy and spurred the growth of the nation’s aviation industry. The stamp designs evoke that earlier period.įor airmail service to succeed in the early days of flight, the Post Office had to develop profitable routes, such as between New York and Chicago, and to establish the infrastructure for safely making night flights. The biplane was also featured on the stamps originally issued in 1918 to commemorate the beginning of regularly scheduled airmail service. The second stamp, red and pictured left, will commemorate this milestone with its first-day-of-issue to take place later this summer.īoth stamps, printed in the intaglio print method- a design transferred to paper from an engraved plate - depict the type of plane typically used in the early days of airmail, a Curtiss JN-4H biplane. Airmail delivery, daily except on Sundays, became part of the fabric of the American economy and spurred growth of the nation’s aviation industry. Air Mail Service later that summer, operating it from Aug. To find out about upcoming sales, or for more information about a specific stamp, contact our team today by phone or email.The United States Post Office Department, the predecessor to the U.S. Airmail stamps of all ages for sale through our Public Auctions, Buy It Now Sales and online stamp store. Airmail stamps have been printed in a wide range of denominations - mint condition first and second issue stamps can easily fetch upwards of $100 at auction. International service continued until 1995. Unfortunately, due to the Great Depression, fewer than 7% were sold, making them highly sought-after today.ĭomestic airmail service continued until 1975. In 1930, a special set of Graf Zeppelin stamps, featuring the eponymous airship, was printed for the collector’s market. Though the Inverted Jenny is the most famous, there are plenty of more accessible entry points for beginning a collection of U.S. Today, Inverted Jennys have been known to sell for anywhere between $100,000 and nearly $1 million at auction. Approximately 100 were printed that day and only a handful now survive. On May 13, 1918, the Inverted Jenny - a Curtiss “Jenny” biplane appears upside down - was produced.

In the rush to design and print it, however, one of the most famous errors in the history of philately was made. To mark the beginning of service, a new stamp in this denomination was commissioned by Congress. The initial route ran from Washington D.C to New York, passing through Philadelphia on the way. The United States Postal Service began offering air delivery on May 15, 1918. Airmail stamps remains a popular specialization within American philately. Whatever the reason may be, collecting U.S. Airmail stamps are so collectible today is the nostalgia they evoke for a time when flight was still regarded with a sense of wonder.

Postage stamps reflect political and geographic shifts as well as technological innovation. The history of postage stamps is a fascinating mirror to the greater narrative of human progress through the ages.

United states airmail stamp