10 cent air mail stamp

A piece of postal history!

The 10-cent Air Mail stamp is a significant issue in the history of philately, as it marked the beginning of a new era in postal services. Here are some interesting facts about this stamp:

  1. First Air Mail Stamp: The 10-cent Air Mail stamp was the first airmail stamp issued in the United States, on May 14, 1918. It was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston and features a biplane flying over a map of the United States.
  2. Experimental Service: The Air Mail service was an experimental service, launched by the US Postal Service to test the feasibility of air transportation for mail. The service was initially limited to a few routes, including New York to Washington, D.C., and Chicago to Detroit.
  3. Special Handling: Air Mail letters required special handling, as they were carried on commercial airlines and had to be sorted and delivered quickly. This led to the development of specialized air mail sorting facilities and procedures.
  4. Rarity: The 10-cent Air Mail stamp is relatively rare, especially in mint condition. This is because many of the stamps were used and cancelled, and some were even destroyed during the experimental phase of the service.
  5. Collectibility: The 10-cent Air Mail stamp is highly collectible, especially among philatelists who focus on airmail and postal history. It is considered a key issue in many stamp collections and can command high prices at auction.
  6. Design: The stamp features a biplane flying over a map of the United States, with the words "Air Mail" written in bold letters. The design was meant to symbolize the speed and efficiency of air transportation.
  7. Perforations: The stamp has a distinctive perforation pattern, with 11 perforations on each side. This was a new feature at the time, as most stamps had 10 perforations.
  8. Color: The stamp was printed in a deep blue color, which was a departure from the more muted colors used in earlier stamps.
  9. Value: The 10-cent Air Mail stamp is still used today, although it is no longer a part of the regular postal service. It is valued at around $1-$5 in mint condition, depending on its condition and rarity.

Overall, the 10-cent Air Mail stamp is an important piece of postal history, marking the beginning of a new era in mail transportation and paving the way for the modern air mail services we use today.