APJ ADS AAMS EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT BUY SELL - WANT LISTS AAMS EXCHANGE ADS LAST CALL. Round Trip Jet Covers THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

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2 APJ ADS RATES: FOUR CENTS PER WORD per insertion. Minimum charge one dollar. Remittance must accompany order and copy. The AIRPOST JOURNAL. 350 No. Deere Park Drive, Highland Park, Ill. FOR SALE: Historical North and South Pole Expedition Flight covers, US, United Nations, Foreign dispatches. List loc. Also: Rockets, Balloons, Semi-official Airs, Pioneers, Zeppelins etc. Belham Exchange, Box 119, Ridgewood, 27, N. Y. ''354 ARTCRAFT Engraved First Day Covers. Request illustrated folder on our Envelope and Cover Club Plan. LINCOLN CLUB Box 211A, Chatham, N. J. *355 BUY \Vorldwide airmail issues at face! Directory listing complete instructions, $1.00. Bedard Publications, Box 637-K Detroit 31, Michigan. 353 EUROPEAN first flights available thru European Aero Philatelist Club. U.S. collectors of KLM - SABENA -LUFTHAN SA. etc: send want list. ''Valter Raes, 121~ North. Daytona Beach, Fla. JETS, US, UN Foreign 35c up. Also FAM, CAM, Foreign Flights. Aerogrammes on approval. Vic Wailly, Box 26A, Roxbury 19, Mass. *258 AAMS EXCHANGE ADS GUAM Guard Mail Stamps wanted on cover, Also 1904 St. Louis World's Fair Postcard and early Aeroplane cards,murch 9560 Litzinger, St. Louis (24) Mo. *353 DEDICATIONS WANTED: B 493, a, b; B 494, a, b; C 28. C 31, C 350, D 19, G 38, N 28, T 108, W 73, W 161. Send one or more on approval at your best price. J. J. Klemann, 2815 Richmond Hill Road, Augusta, Ga. WANTED - Stamps and covers of Haiti and Dominican Republic. E. Lee Dorsett, M. D. (A.A.M.S. No. 1405) 120 Orchard Ave., Webster Groves 19, Mo. PIONEER Pilots on photocards, and airmail pioneers wanted. Offer gre3.t variety v_i<;wcards, autographs, first flights, Expo Sition slogans. Roy Votaw, 5806 Twin Gardens, Carmichael, Calif. AIR-LETTER Sheets for exchange. Mint and used. Will Clarke, 8 Kintyre Ave., Toronto, Canada. Member #3852. *354 GARDEN Estates card or cover wanted. Offer,I>ioneer autographs, Zeppelins or Exposition slogans. Roy Votaw, 5806 Twin Gardens, Carmichael, Calif. WILL EXCHANGE: 3000 duplicate Airport Dedication covers, listed by AAMS catalogue numbers for dedication covers I need or for US plate blocks. C. L. McCoy, HoratiO, Ark. AAMS EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT BUY SELL - WANT LISTS HAVE LOTS of mint foreign airmail sets in collection would like to exchange for used ai.rs. Arnold V. Larson, Twisp, Wash. Route #1. EAGERLY Wanted, Stamps British, French, Dutch Colonies this hemisphere; also Latin America; offering Bolivia, Paraguav, Peru, etc. Ludwig Horn Flach, Casilla 415, La Paz, Bolivia. *353 WANTED: Exchange of first and Spec. flights of all the world. Prefer Zeppelin and Trans Atlantic flights. A. Houweling, Am8terdamse weg, 453, Amstelveen Holland. ' *353 NEW BRUNSWICK Air Mail Field Postmarks wanted on cover. Also information about AMF operation. Exchange or buy scarce AMF covers. Perham C. Nahl, 2D14A Lincoln, Evanston, Illinois. *355 HAVE ALL U.S. Commercial Jet Airmail f~rst flight covers. Exchange for mint U.S. c.irmml postage, or cash. Doc Rieger 5323 Baccich St., New Orleans 22, La. ' FOR VOL. 2 of AAMC give three lc blue 1851 very fine, or purchase. Henry Dupont, 22, av. de Ia Liberation, Le Coteau, Loire, France. WANTED To Buy - South Africa MLS #3 and #4 with red "Gifts and Comforts Fund" imprint and any airletter card with A.P.O. 44 postmark. AAMS #4480. J. M. Wemstem, PO Box 419, Pretoria South Africa. ' SOUTH AFRICAN military letter cards and S.A.A.F. Korean aerogrammes offered m exchange for similar'airmail stationery. AAMS #4480. J. M. Weinstein, PO Box 419, Pretoria, South Africa; LAST CALL. Round Trip Jet Covers The American Air Mail Society makes the final offer to secure a round trip official U.S. Post Office jet cover, New York - Los Angeles - New York, January 1959 first jet flight via American Air Lines with special cachets and proper backstamps. These round trippers are $l.oj each plus 4c postage to readers of the Airpost Journal. Proceeds of the sale go to the Red Cross and AAMS Publication Fund thanks to American Air Lines. Orders to be sent to Robert W. Murch, AAMS, 9560 Litzinger Road, St. Louis 24, Mo. Supply is limited, first come, first served. THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

3 A Non-Profit Corporation Incorporated 1944 Organized 1923 Under the Laws of Ohio PRESIDENT Robert W. Murch 9560 Litzinger Road St. Louis 24, Mo. SECRETARY Ruth T. Smith Ferndale & Emerson Sts. Philadelphia 11, Pa. TREASURER John J. Smith Ferndale & Emerson Sts. Philadelphia 11, Pa. VICE-PRESIDENTS Joseph L. Eisendrath, Jr. Louise S. Hoffman Florence L. Kleinert Dr. Southgate Leigh, Jr. EDITOR - Other Publications L. B. Gatchell ATTORNEY George D. Kingdom DIRECTOR OF FOREIGN RELATIONS Dr. Max J onstein AUCTION MANAGER Samuel S. Goldsticker, Jr. DIRECTORS Alton J. Blank Herbert Brandner George S. Chapman Samuel S. Goldsticker, Jr. Lester S. Manning Emmett Peter, Jr. Dr. Tomas Terry Earl H. Wellman ADVANCE BULLETIN SERVICE Herbert Brandner 4038 Forest Ave. Brookfield, Ill. SALES MANAGER Herman Kleinert 213 Virginia Ave. Fullerton, Pa. MEMBERSHIP DUES $4.00 PER YEAR Dues include subscription to THE AIRPOST JOURNAL. Applicants must furnish two references, philatelic preferred. At least one must reside in Applicants home town. Applicants under 21 years must be guaranteed by Parent or Guardian. Membership may be terminated by the Society in accordance with its By-Laws. Correspondence concerning subscriptions, back numbers and bound volumes, address changes and other matters and all remittances should be sent to the Treasurer. All general communications and advertising should be sent to the Editor. SEPTEMBER, 1959 Official Publication of the AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOOIETY Volume 30 No. 12 Issue No. 353 Contents... for September, 1959 Articles.Election Results... Uncle George... Biography and History of George W Angers The Origin ~nd Growth of the A.A.M.S. 320 Balloon Post of Siege of Paris, Honor to World Air Forces 333 Aerophilately and Aerophilatelists Argentine Airlines Inaugurate Jet Service Regular Features APJ Ads... Inside Front Cover CAM Cover Notes Tips By Julius Official Section Notes From Dow.n Under. Airport Dedications... The Philatelic Story of Flight Inside Back Cover EDITOR Joseph L. Eisendrath, Jr. 350 No. Deere Park Drive, Highland Park, Ill. ASSISTANT EDITORS Robert "'. Murch Ernest A. Kehr L. B. Gatchell DEPARTMENT AND ASSOOIATE EDITORS R. Lee Black, N. Pelletier, Florence L. Kleinert, Dr. Max Kronstein, Thomas J. O'Sullivan, Richard L. Singley, William R. Ware, Sol Whitman, Julius Weiss. James Wotherspoon, John Watson, William T. Flynn, Frank Blumenthal, Samuel S. Goldsticker, Jr., J. S. Langabeer. Published monthly at Albion, Erie Co., Pa., U.S.A. Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Albion, Pa., February 10, 1932, under the Act of March 3, The AffiPOST JOURNAL is not conducted for profit. The Editor, and all others, serve without compensation. Receipts from advertising, subscriptions and contributions are applied to the betterment of the magazine and the promotion of aero-philately. The Editor and Officers of The American Air Mail Society assume no responsibility for the accuracy of statements made by contributors. Every effort is made to insure correctness of all articles. Subscription Rates: $4.00 per year, 35c per copy. Advertising Rate Card available from the Editor PAGE 313

4 RESULTS OF ELECTION FOR SOCIETY 'OFFICERS FOR PRESIDENT Robert W. Murch T. Earl Van Sickle, Jr FOR VICE-PRESIDENT - (Elected) Joseph L. Eisendrath, Jr (Elected) Florence Kleinert (Eleoted) Sol Glass Louise S. Hoffman (Elected) Gordon W. Ray Dr. Southgate Leigh, Jr (Elected) Earl Wellman... 1 L. B. Gatchell...:... 1 W. R. Ware... 1 T. Earl Van Sickle, Jr Ruth T. Smith T. Earl Van Sickle, Jr SECRETARY- TREASURER- DIRECTORS- John J. Smith... '133 T. Earl Van Sickle, Jr (Elected) (Elected) Alton J. Blank... ~ Ill (Elected) Herbert Brandner (Elected) G. S. Ohapman (Elected) Emmett Peter (Elected) Ray Sinn... 7 Sol Whitman Gerald Bookhop... 1 T. Earl Van Sickle, Jr Frank Blumenthal... 1 Certified: The Election Committee- James J. Matejka, Jr., M. D., Chairman Edward Benson Jake Shick August 8, 1959 PAGE 314 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

5 Uncle George P ROBABLY the most amazed person in this nation is George W. Angers at this very moment when he gets his copy of the Airpost Journal. It's a surprise in which we're mighty proud to have a part. This man has never refused a request or an assignment, no matter how difficul~ when it came to anything concerning the welfare of the American Air Mail Society. The occasions must have been numerous when he dug down into his pocket to tide us over a hard 1bump. The thousands of hours of time he has put into his beloved hobby have been repaid many times over in the satisfaction he has had at seeing things work out. It hasn't always been rosy. For instance, last year he broke his record of having attended every Society convention, because he wanted to remain with his brother Henry, who faced (and has since recovered) an extremely serious operation. Elsewhere in this issue we present his biography. He probably wonders where we got all the information. Son-in-law Don Conniff, who sees the editor once in a while, was approached on the idea of this special issue. With the help of his wife, Mickey, the project was told to Margaret F. Angers (Mrs. George) - and she did the rest. When George was away or at work, she "conned" his papers and came up with the amazing list of honors that we list on another page. This issue is not only about "Uncle" George W. Angers, but it contains much material by him. ' Knowing that many newer members of the Society are unfamiliar with its past history, we asked him to bring up to date a history he had written for the Airpost Journal in July, You'll find the new history in these pages. George on the left He is responsible for the stories that have been running for several years concerning the balloon mail carried from Paris in 1870 and He and Dr. Everett E. Thompson meticulously translated the French text of Louis A. Chaintrier, and a slow and tough job it was. We have perhaps a dozen chapters ahead from him. Many of his articles have appeared, not only in the APJ, but in the general and SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 315-

6 George, Henry, and Larry Angers philatelic press over the past forty years. Our personal fondness fo r George is unbelievably difficult 1o express. What can you say about a man who unselfishly sends a friend much of his priceless collection and library? And always on a voluntary basis. If we'd ask him for something, surely we'd get it; but George give generously without bein g asked. W e might say that mcst of our library was recently his. A complete run of the APJ and its forerunners, booklet ( b ound to George'!> order ). Catalogues, clippings, memorablia -- you name it; he sent jt to us. Our colleetion abounds w.th covers and stamps from his; he simply thought that they belonged in ours. How can you classify your feelings about such a person? vv P- value tremendously the opportunities to be with him and talk to him. H is frequent visits to Evanston, a Chicago uburb, to see one of his two daughter and h er family, always seem to include a visit with u, and the legio :1 of things we discuss is eodles. His wise counsel on matters troublesome to us has always helped us resolve our problems more quickly. His suggestions have often been put into fo rce. This man is an unusual man. His credo, we know, is that givina service is the price he pay for the space he occupies. Look at his activitie, outlined elsewhere, and you can see he ea ily p ays this price. W e could go on and on - but what more we might add could not in the least add to the luster of t\is h ining personality. W e're glad we know him - we're glad to affectionately dedicate thi i ue of the Airpost Journal to George W. Angers. Prositl PAGE 316 THE AIRPOST J OURNAL

7 Biography and Philatelic History Of George W. Angers G EORGE W. ANGERS was born at Springfield, Mass., August 9, He attended local schools and is a graduate of St. Laurent College, Montreal, Canada. During World War I he was connected with the 437th Detachment of Engineers, U.S. Army. In 1926, with his two brothers, he established a building and property management business and has served as its Treasurer ever since. Vitally interested in community, religious and philatelic affairs, he is a member of the following organizations: Charter member of Post 21, American Legion Director of Springfield Chamber of Commerce Springfield Automobile Association Rent Advisory Board Founder and for eleven years President of the Springfield Apartment Owners Association Advisory Council Civil Defense Director Franco-American Credit Union Ligue du Sacre Coeur Treasurer of Serra International American Air Mail Society Sp~ngfield Philatelic Society Springfield Air Mail Society George first became interested in the collection of stamps at the age of ten. He started to collect airmail stamps and early pioneers in His philatelic activities are many. They include: Founder, American Air Mail Society (formerly Aero-Philatelic Society of America), Member #3, Life Member and President Emeritus Founder, First President, Springfield Philatelic Society Founder, First President, Springfield Air Mail Society, President Emeritus Life Member and Ex-President, Springfield Stamp Club Life Member, Jack Knight Air Mail Society Collectors Club - #256 - (1921) American Philatelic Society - # ( 1921) Editor and Publisher, (Aero-Newsletter, 1923) Editor and Publisher, Aero News, 1926 Editor-in-Chief, American Air Mail 1940 Catalogue Associate Editor, American Air Mail 1947 and 1950 Catalogues and Supplements Secretary, American Air Mail Society Advisory Boards (Past Presidents) He holds Honorary Memberships in the New 'zealand Air Mail Society Aero Philatelic Club of India Philippine Air Mail Society Aero-philatelists of France Japan Air Mail Society, 1922 Chicago Air Mail Society Cleveland Air Mail Society Boston Air Mail Society SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 317

8 His marvelous collections have received widespread recognition where shown. Awards he has earned in International Philatelic Exhibitions include the following: New York, 1926 Gold Medal for Balloon Post, Siege of Paris, Silver-Gold for First Flights of the World Paris, France, 1930 Gold Medal for Balloon Post. Siege of Paris, New Zealand, 1933 Diploma of Honor and Gold Medal, Historical Air Mail Covers London, 1934 Gold Medal for Balloon Post, Siege of Paris, Silver for U. S. Contract Flights New York, 1947 Gold Medal for Balloon Post, Siege of Paris, Silver Medal for Crash Covers La Habana, Cuba, 1955 Gold Medal with Felicitation, Balloon Post, Siege of Paris Other awards, not in,international Exhibitions, were: Cleveland, 1932 New York, 1933 New York, 1934 Washington, 1935 New York, 1937 St. Petersburg, 1937 Toronto, 1940 Springfield, 1940 Boston, 1941 Milwaukee, 1942 Philadelphia, 1942 Chicago, 1946 Milwaukee, 1947 Chicago, 1949 "PAGE 318 Grand Award A.A.M.S. Exhibition First Award Balloon Post, Siege of Paris First A ward Historical Covers President's Trophy, A.A.M.S. Exhibition Certificate Of Highest Merit - Crash Covers Certificate of Highest Merit - Balloon Post, Siege of Paris First Award - Specialized Foreign Covers First Award - Historical Flights First Award - The National Stamp Exhibition, Rockefeller Center, Balloon and Pigeon Post, Gold Medal - Balloon Post, Winners' Class Certificate of Participation - Balloon Post, Siege of Paris Certificate of Participation - The New York Museum of Science and Industry, National Stamp Exhibition, Balloon Post, Siege of Paris Grand Award - Balloon and Pigeon Posts of the Siege of Paris, , including Crash Covers and Historical Covers, also Gold Medal for Balloon Post Collection A.A.M.S. Grand Trophy - Balloon Post of the Siege of Paris Award of Special Merit by the Springfield Stamp Club, (founded in 1895 ) for Balloon Post of the Siege of Paris Certificate of Participation - American 7th Congress, Siege of Paris Collection Honorary Award - Invitational Exhibit, Midwest National Meeting - Balloon Post of the Siege of Paris First Award, Philadelphia Air Mail Society, Paris Balloon Covers, Crash Covers, Historical Covers Honorary Award - Jack Knight Air Mail Society "Airpex" in honor of Jack Knight, Balloon Post of the Siege of Paris Honorary Award - 16th Annual Exhibition, Wisconsin Federation of Stamp Cluibs. Balloon Post of the Siege of Paris. Crash Covers Court of Honor Plaque and Participation Certificate for Paris Balloon Post Collection THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

9 Philadelphia, 1950 Toronto, 1951 Norfolk, 1952 Dayton, 1953 Philadelphia, 1954 Special Award Plaque - Consistent and Meritorious Service to Aero-philately National Philatelic Museum President Trophy for Paris Balloon Collection and others First Canadian International Exhibition "Capex" Court of Honor Participation Certificate A.A.M.S. Convention Exhibit, Certificate of Participation and Appreciation A.A.M.S. Convention Exhibition Certificate of Participation National Philatelic Exhibition Plaque Best Airpost Covers Gold Medal - Paris Balloon Gold Medal - Crash Covers First Award - General Air Posts First Award - Foreign Pioneer Flights NEW PHILIPPINE AIR MAIL STAMPS To help raise funds to finance the loth Boy Scouts World Jamboree celebration which was held at the Makiling National Park, Los Banos, Laguna, during the period from July 17 to 26, 1959, the Republic of the Philippines issued a set of semi-postal stamps consisting of five values, of which three are air mails. Each stamp depicted a phase of the activity of the Boy Scouts. Airmail stamps issued were the 30 + loc is slate green, 100,000 issued; c in brown red, 100,000, and c io. purple, 100,000. AIR POST NEW ISSUES OF THE ENTIRE WORLD PAMPHLET UPON REQUEST Nicolas Sanabria Co. Inc. A. MEDAWAR, PRESIDENT 521 Fifth Ave., New York 17, N.Y. SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 319

10 The Origin and Growth Of the American Air Mail Society By GEORGE W. ANGERS T HE National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, a wartime organization, read accurately the signs of the times when it announced late in 1917 that "the first and obvious use of airplanes in the future lies in the delivery of mail." All air mail collectors know that this resulted in the establishment in May, 1918, of a regular air mail service between Washington and New York and the issuance of a 24-cent air mail stamp to meet the rate required for an ordinary letter (plus special delivery service). Later in the same year the rate was twice reduced and thus the United States produced its fin.i set of air mail stamps - the 6-cent, 16-cent, and 24-cent varieties, and incidently also one of its greatest rarities - the 24-cent invert. What were the American collectors doing in this early period of the establishment of mail-earrying service by plane? Before the war there was considerable interest among a few pioneer air mail collectors in covers carried by airplanes, covers which of course had no special stamps but which did have special cancehlations. These flights began with that now famous pioneer hop by pilot Earle Ovington, who carried a pouch of mail in his "Dragon Fly" from Garden City Estates to Mineola, on Long Island, September 23, The Annual Report of the Third Assistant Postmaster General stated: "During the fiscal year ( ) the Department has permitted further experimental aeroplane mail service. There have been twenty orders issued permitting the mail to be carried between certain points by aeroplanes. Such service was merely temporary and was not intended to be permanent. In each instance where the mail has been carried the service has been performed by a sworn carrier and without cost to the Department. Such service was authorized in 13 different States." These experimental flights had aroused such interest among a few collectors that through the efforts of Karl Koslowski of Detroit, Mich., Harry A. Truby of New Kensington, Pa., and others, the AERO MAIL CLUB was founded June 21, The members of this Club were enthusiastic about the latest phase of modern postal service and issued formal announcement of the organization in the leading American philatelic journals and in the English weekly of London, "Stamp Collecting". The organization was simple and efficient and its campaign of widespread publicity affords very interesting reading today: "The Wizards of the Air and their numerous attempts to tum the eyes of the Nations skyward are now staged to perfection. Mail has also been successfully carried by aeroplanes, special cancellation marks have been issued,.lots of Collectors came forward to follow up this line, known as the Aero Mail Cancellation. Every new attempt to carry mail by Aeroplane brings forth more Collectors of those postmarks, who in tum swap, sell and exchange new issues among them, and by this means try to express their wants." (Philadelphia Stamp News, 1913). The Aero Mail Club was active through World War I, but with the organization of government air mail routes, the issuing of air mail stamps, and the wide increase in the use of the airplane commercially, many new collectors interested in aerophilately appeared in the United States. It was felt that a more substantial bond of union was needed and so in, October, 1923, a small group of active air mail collectors - among them some of the pioneers of the earlier club - met in Philadelphia PAGE 320 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

11 for the purpose of organizing a society, having for its object the promotion of interest in aerophilately; the dissemination of information to its members of proposed flights and stamp issues and ultimately the publication of the results of studies and research work of its members. By November, 1923, plans were perfected and the AERO PHILATELIC SO CIETY OF AMERICA came into existence with a membership of 21 Charter Members. Since then the Society has prospered and grown so that today it numbers more than twelve hundred members, the oldest and largest group devoted to this special branch of philateiy. Among this number are postoffice officials, senators, airmail pilots and operating officials. In order to clarify the name of the Society and to avoid confusion with that of the American Philatelic Society when abbreviated, the name was changed in October, 1926, by vote, to the AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY (A.A.M.S.). The first organ of the Society was a mimeographed sheet, THE AERO-NEWS LETTER, edited by the present writer, covering in two volumes the period from November, 1923, to July, In July, 1926, the first number of the AERO NEWS appeared and for about two years this publication covered the news and contained many articles of interest, with varied advertisements. Because of the smal\ membership of the Society in these early days when aerophilately was not widely known, this magazine received insufficient support. PHILATELIC GOSSIP then succeeded it as the official organ of the American Air Mail Society, followed by the AIR MAIL COLLECTOR for a brief period. In the meantime. a new magazine, the AIRPOST JOURNAL, had been launched under the able editorship of Holcomb York. Its first number appeared on November 20, By a vote of the A.A.M.S. members it was selected as the official organ and became the property of the Society in October, Certain changes in style and format were made and it now appears monthly with many interesting articles, up-to-date information for the aerophilatelist, and attractive advertisements. At all International Philatelic Exhibitions held in New York, the American Air Mail Society played an important part, having a booth at each and contributing one or more members to each of the International Juries. As the Society increased in strength, provisions were made for annual conventions_ Section 9 of the Constitution deals with this matter and in accordance with it the first annual convention was held at Cleveland, Ohio in Since then a total of 32 Conventions or regional meetings has been held, including meetings in Canada, Cuba and the United Nations. These were: 1934 Chicago, Ill St. Petersburg, Fla Washington, D.C Washington, D.C Cincinnati, Cleveland, New York, N.Y Toronto, Ontario 1933 New York, N.Y Springfield, Mass Atlantic City, N.J Regional Meetings at Springfield, Mass., Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Philadelphia, Pa Regional Meeting at Milwaukee, Wisconsin Detroit, Mich Washington, D.C Havana, Cuba 1949 Chicago, Ill Philadelphia, Pa _Toronto,_ Ontario SEPTEMBER, Norfolk, Va Dayton, Philadelphia, Pa Havana, Cuba 1956 New York (Fipex) 1956 St. Louis, Mo. ( Regional) 1957 United Nations,N.Y Philadelphia, Pa United Nations, N. Y. (Regional) 1959 Chicago, Ill. PAGE 321

12 Among other activities of the A.A.M.S. are the operation of the Sales Department, which offers members an opportunity to buy stamps and covers at reasonable prices, or to dispose of their duplicates at a minimum commission; conducting an Exchange Department, entitling each member to two 25-word exchange ads per year in the official publication; sponsoring an Advance Air Mail Information Bulletin, which gives news about future air mail events, cachets, new issue stamps, etc.; and the publication of the authoritative AMERICAN AIR MAIL CATALOGUES, Periodically, a directory of the Society, giving membership list, Constitution, and By-Laws, is published. The PUBLICATIONS OF THE AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY have been numerous and as a matter of record, we list them in chronological order: AMERICAN AIR MAIL CATALOGUE - Section 1, CONTRACT AIR MAIL ROUTES, 1935, 130 pages, three editions: regular, paper bound; DeLuxe, red cloth; Sponsors, silver and blue. Editor, L. B. Gatchell. AMERICAN AIR MAIL CATALOGUE, 1940, 718 pages, three editions; regular, blue fabrikoid; _!)eluxe, 3/4 purple and blue fabrikoid; Sponsors, full blue Morocco. Editor, George W. Angers; Walter J. Conrath, L. B. Gatchell, Associate Editors SUPPLEMENT, 128 pages, Two editions, regular, paper bound; DeLuxe, blue fabrikoid SUPPLEMENT, 68 pages, paper bound, Edited by George W. Angers and L. B. Gatchell; George D. Kingdom, Associate Editor. AMERICAN AIR MAIL CATALOGUE, VOLUME 1, 1947, 608 pages. L. B. Gatchell Editor; George W. Angers, Associate Editor. VOLUME II, 1950, 574 pages. L. B. Gatchell, Editor; George W. Angers, Associate Editor. VOLUME III, 1959 Supplement, 508 pages. L. B. Gatchell, Editor. All three volumes were published in three Editions: regular, blue fabrikoid, DeLuxe, 3/4 gray and blue cloth, Sponsors, Maroon leath'er. AMERICAN AIR MAIL CATALOGUE OF AIR LETTER SHEETS, 1949, 56 pages, paper bound. Edited by L. B. Gatchell and Ian C. Morgan Edition, 116 pages, paper bound. Edited by L. B. Gatchell and Ian C. Morgan Supplement, 36 pages, paper bound. Edited by L. B. Gatchell Edition, 176 pages, paper bound. Edited by L. B. Gatchell and 1958 Check Lists, paper. Edited by Richard L. Singley Supplement. In preparation. Edited by Emmett Peter, Jr. Most aerophilatelists are primarily stamp collectors who have turned to air mail as an advanced state of special philately. When. the futility of approaching completeness in a general collection of stamps is realized one usually turns to a welldefined branch of philately. Air mail stamp collecting offers the most universal approach to the already well established collector instincts. Here, completeness to a greater degree, with the added zest of all that is making history of today's outstanding aeronautical accomplishments, may be gathered together in the album and preserved as a permanent record of the development of the conquest of the air. The aims and objects of the American Air Mail Society have been mentioned briefly in the foregoing account of its inception. They are important and diverse and should be carefully studied. First, it circulates news items of all kinds with regards to new air mail routes, inaugural flights, official cachets, air postal rates, etc. It protects its members by informing them of fraudulent covers, false or entirely PAGE 322 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

13 private cachets, and by preventing exploitation to which especially the newer members might be exposed. It has worked in close and cordial contact with the Post Office Department and by such co-operation has secured many acts of consideration for collectors. Backstamping of many important air mail flights has been permitted by the Post Office Officials and certain complaints of peculiarities of service have been investigated and cleared up. Through the AIRPOST JOURNAL and its other publications it gives a healthy publicity to the organization, and in general it promotes a complete interest in the aero-philately which could not be achieved by unorganized individuals alone. The history of the American Air Mail Society has been briefly recounted. What has the Society actually accomplished during the thirty-five years since its founding? It is i- safe statement that nine-tenths of all air mail literature published in the last three decades in the United States has been the product of members of the A.A.M.S. From the private libraries of some of the older members and officers of the Society a long list of such publications could be made up, and it is from this wealth of material and from their long experience as collectors that most of the articles of a historical nature appearing in the AIRPOST JOURNAL are compiled. It would be apropos to list the Editors of the AIRPOST JOURNAL who were without exception indefatigable in their work of love to edit the monthly Journal: Holcomb York, Cummington, Mass George D. Kingdom, Conneaut, Ohio Walter J. Conrath, Albion, Pa L.' B. Gatchell, Upper Montclair, N.J Committee headed by George D. Kingdom Joseph L. Eisendrath, Jr., Highland Park, Ill The AIRPOST JOURNAL, owned and published monthly by the Society, is now one of the world's foremost airpost publications. In addition to its historical feature, it is thoroughly up-to-date in its record of current events. And for all members there is a large assortment of helpful ads for the collectors' varied needs. The Sales Department for air mail stamps and covers is in a flourishing condition and brings a real service to A.A.M.S. members. Likewise more than 500 bulletins have been issued in recent years, giving valuable advance notice to members of air mail activities and scheduled flights. Such a service has been possible chiefly because of the excellent spirit of cooperation existing between the Society and the U.S. and U.N. Postal authorities. Various modifications of the U.S. government's official cachet system for flights have been brought about by suggestions from the Society. Instead of the monotonous repetition of an uninteresting design, first flights and other air mail projects now generally have a cachet depicting something of real local interest. This adds much to the pleasure of collecting such items. In connection with its annual conventions, many successful Air Post Exhibitions have been promoted by the Society, and its members and officers have assisted and participated at Exhibitions held in Paris, Danzig, Germany, New Zealand, Toronto, Havana and London. At these exhibitions American Air Mail exhibitors won high honors. The Society, over the past several years, has sponsored the Walter J. Conrath Memorial Award. The purpose is to perpetuate the memory of WALTER J. CON RATH, who contributed unselfishly to the growth and welfare of the AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY, who possessed a fearless conviction and was an unceasing advocate of every principle of right, who was an ardent and tme aerophilatelist, SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 323

14 and who made many valuable contributions to the betterment of the hobby. It is hoped and desired that the esta:blishment of this award will inspire others to make contributions to our Society and hobby which in time will make them eligible for the high. honor. THE WALTER J. CONRATH MEMORIAL AWARD is given annually to the member of the AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY who in the opinion and judgment of the Award Committee has rendered an outstanding service to the Society or who has made an outstanding contribution to the hobby of Aero-philately. The following, listed alphabetically, have been recipients of this cherished award: George W. Angers, Mrs. Grace Conrath, L. B. Gatchell, Ernest A. Kehr, John P. V. Heinmuller, Jesse G. Johnson, George W. Kingdom, Rafael Oriol, Richard L. Singley, John J. Smith, Mrs. John (Ruth) Smith. And last, but not least, in its list of services rendered, is the infornmtive missionary labor that many of its members have perforn1ed in talks and lectures before countless stamp clubs throughout the country. In number of years the American Air Mail Society is yet young, but since it celebrates this coming November its THIRTY-SIXTH ANNIVERSARY, it may be termed a sturdy and vigorous organization. This is especially true when we consider that aerophilately itself is but hardly more than two score years of age. The brief resume of the "Origin and Growth of the American Air Mail Society" would not be complete l'f we did not list the Presidents and Secretaries who have served the Society so well. AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY PRESIDENTS Joseph A. Steinmetz, Philadelphia, Pa Harry A. Truby, New Kensington, Pa George W. Angers, Springfield, Mass Herbert H. Griffin, Cleveland, Ohio Llovd B. Gatchell, Upper Montclair, N.J Francis B. Leech, Washington, D.C....' Walter J. Conrath, Albion, Pa Paul F. Robertson, Peoria, Illinois William R. Alley, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y Richard L. Singley, Lancaster, Pa George D. Kingdom, Conneaut, Ohio M. 0. Warns, Milwaukee, Wise Grace Conrath, Erie, Pa Jesse G. Johnson, Norfolk, Va John P. V. Heinmuller, New York, N.Y Rafael Oriol, Havana, Cuba John J. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa Robert W. Murch, St. Louis, Mo SECRETARY AND/OR SECRETARY-TREASURER George W. Angers, Springfield, Mass ; L. B. Gatchell, Upper Montclair, N. J Emil J. Vlasak, Springfield, Mass Claude W. Degler, Milwaukee, Wise John J. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa Ruth T. Smith, Philadelphia, Pa In the very rapid increase during the last few years in the number of stamp collectors throughout the United States, the branch of air mail collecting has received its full proportion. AEROPHILATELY HAS COME OF AGE!

15 Balloon Post Of The Siege Of Paris, By LOUIS A. CHAINTRIER - Translated by DR. EVERETT E. THOMPSON and GEORGE W. ANGERS CHAPTER 22 (In memory of Galileo Galilei, mathematician, physicist, astronomer, born at Pisa 1564, died at Arcetri 1642.) The twenty-second postal balloon was ballast of about 200 kgs. and finally Bussponsored by the Administration of Posts. son, its aeronaut, and the person who It contained cubic meters and it writes these lines. was piloted by Jean Husson, a sailor of "The wind was blowing from the the National Marine, detached from Fort northeast. Godard, Sr., who presided at de Noisv, and a former non-commission- the operation of inflating the balloon, ed offi~er of the Merchant Marine. directed us to climb into the basket and The passenger, Antoine Etienne, a then the balloon was transported to the civil engineer, was entrusted with a spe- launching site. Some moments later the cial mission by the Government of Paris. sacramental 'lachez tout' was pronounced The postal consignment comprised: and the Galilee, freed from its bonds, ( 1) seven sacks of dispatches weighing rose majestically into space with the apa total of 420 kg. ( 924 lbs.); ( 2) a cage plause of the large crowd that in excontaining si.x pigeons belonging to Louis ceptionally fine weather had gathered Antoine Garnier Pages, member of the for the spectacle. Government of National Defense. "Although for the first time we were Departure took.place from the Orleans in an ascending balloon we experienced station in the presence of the Director no discomfort; on the contrary we felt and Administrators of the Post and of fine and while the Galilee rose we were Admiral De Challie who gave Etienne a admiring the splendid panorama that secret message for the Delegation of was unrolling to our view. Then when Tours, on Friday, November 4, 1870, at a well-sustained fire and the whistling 2 P.M. in a light northeast wind and in of bullets came to draw us out of our weather very clear and briskly cold._ contemplation and make us realize that The following is a selection from the we were above enemy lines, we threw report submitted by A. Etienne to the out ballast to put us out of the range of Director General ef Posts at Tours relat- projectiles. But we thought that already ing to his aerial journey, his capture and the Galilee had been pierced by one or escape: "The balloon Galilee, contain- more bullets for from that time on we ing a little more than 2000 cubic meters, had to expend much ballast. in order to constructed by the Godard brothers, left keep at a suitable height. The strength the Orleans station, Paris, November 4 of the wind made us proceed at 16 to 20 at 2 P.M.; it was especially intended to kilometers per hour, unfavorable becarry to Tours the result of the vote of cause of the rather large useful weight Paris ( 557,996 for the members of the that the Galilee was carrying; and so, in Government, and 62,638 against) just spite of the advantage that the terrain announced in favor of those who had we were traversing at high speed offerundertaken the heavy task of saving the ed us, we had to neglect it a little to country. The balloon was to have been keep track of the altitude of our balloon inflated at 8 A.M., but a contrary order since all the time we were flying above arrived to delay the departure until the enemy troops. time when the complete returns would "We passed over Versailles at about be known. 3:15 p.m.; we were at 1950 meters "A large crowd of spectators had gath- ( 6396 ft.) and the thermometer regisered to witness the ascension of the Gal- tered seven degrees above zero. From ilee which was carrying more than 420 kgs. of mail, Government dispatches to which was attached the greatest interest, Versailles we flew on to Rambouillet at 1200 meters ( 3936 ft.) above the earth but this altitude did not prevent the en- SEPTEMBER,.l9\)9 PAGE 325

16 emy from firing at us although without result. About 5 o'clock in an extensive level space to the west of Chartres we made our first descent, only after we had examined the ground with a spyglass. A good woman who was there. told us that the enemy were in the neighborhood and that they frequently passed by there. Although we had but little ballast left, we remounted and proceeded again for about sixteen kilometers. "It was 6 p.m. when we managed our second descent, about 10 kilometers northwest of Chartres, after having in-. quired from peasants if there were any of the enemy force in those parts; on their negative answers and after we had assured ourselves that we could get carriages for the transport of dispatches, we touched ground by opening the valve. After some bounds, harmless because of the calm weather, and aided by the peasants we became masters of our gentle motive power, the Galilee. "It was hardly half an hour after we had landed when cries of the women announced the arrival of Prussian horsemen. I had only time enough to seize_ the sack of Government dispatches and hand it to a peasant, ordering him to send it along as soon as possible to Tours where he would be rewarded, which was done. One can read in the November 7, 1870, issue of the 'Universal Monitor', printed at Tours, and the official organ of the Delegation, a copy of the following dispatch addressed to the Delegation by the sub-prefect of Nogent Le Rotrov. Dispatch relating to the saving of this sack and to the capture of the Galilee: 'Nogent le Rotrov, November 5, 10:40 a.m. Balloon from Paris descended yesterday 6 p.m. at Fresnay le Gilmert, 8 kilometers from Chartres Prussians seized one bundle of dispatches - one sack saved and sent on immediately to the train that will depart at 1:30 this p.m. - a true copy - Minister of the Interior and of War'. "This duty accomplished, we awaited our enemy, who made us prisoners of war. "The officer sent away all the peasants and had us placed at about three meters from his horse. During this time the peasants were planning together and PAGE 326 came back threatening to make an appeal to arms in our behalf. The officer then warned me that at the slightest hostile act of the peasants, my companion and I would be shot. I had to resort to a flag of truce and had the good luck of making my brave fellow citizens understand that their action could be very praiseworthy, but since their arms consisted of a few pocket knives and stones from the highway, they could only increase the number of victims without contributing any chance of our deliverance. "Convinced by my reasoning, they retired and I profited by my flag of truce to charge them again with regard to the sack of dispatches. I returned to rejoin my companion. "The officer who had taken us prisoners spoke a little French. He was, on the whole, courteous, and after having compelled us to turn over all our papers as well as my maps of France and of the environs of Paris, we proceeded in lwo separate groups. "Arrived at Chartres, they made me disrobe so that they could inspect even the lining of my clothes; this led them to no discovery, for it appeared there was nothing more than my, letters and papers that thev had confiscated and so the next dav at noon Prince Frederick had. me tak~n under a strong escort to Versailles. Two hussars accompanied me on horseback, one at each carriage door; at Rambouillet, horses were changed. "We arrived November 6 at 3 a.m. at Ver~ailles and one hour later they led me before the commandant of the place who questioned me in proper fashion; then later I was placed in a small cell in Versailles prislm, where there was nothing but a bad straw mattress. There I waited for daylight with great impatience, for the profound darkness of my prison prevented me from getting any line on my dwelling place. "\Vhen day arrived I saw with some satisfaction that I had a companion in captivity, an employee of the Paris postal service who had been captured passing the enemy lines with letters sewn into the lining of his clothes. He was THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

17 given his liberty three days after my arrival, after being under lock and key for thirty days. "The little cell was 4 meters long by 2 meters wide and about 2lj 2 meters high and in one of the corners was the water closet. This arrangement left something to be desired from a hygienic point of view. At 8 o'clock they brought me some black coffee in an earthen dish, slightly sweetened and very inuch watered. At 11 o'clock they served me my breakfast, a kind of paste in which I found a piece of meat the size of a nut. At 5 o'clock they served me again in an earthen dish a horrible mess of rice curdled in water in which I found a small piece of meat; for drinking there was a permanent tap in the cell." (To be continued) NEW SOCIETY DIRECTORY IN THE OFFING It is planned t() issue a new A.A.M.S. directory of members sometime in the not too-distant future. For those members who have the most recent directory, published last in 1955, you will note the various listings of speciadty classifications after each name. Since 1955 many changes must have occurred in collecting habits. If you have made changes in your classifications, we'd suggest you drop a note to Secretary Ruth Smith so that your changes can be noted. No deadline yet, but we'd like to get started on this project. Any other changes - such as addresses, spelling, etc. - should also be made at the same time. If you don't know the classification code, drop us a note and we'll send a list of these. Stamped envelope, please. The 1959/60 SANABRIA CATALOGUE answers all questions on air post stamps $12.50 (incl. free supplements) NICOLAS SANABRIA CO. INC. A. Medawar, Pres. 521 Fifth Avenue New York 17, N.Y. SEPTEMBER, 1959 RECENT FLOWN U.S. GLIDER FLIGHT COVERS The 26th National Soaring Contest took place at Harris Hill, Ehnira, N.Y. between July 1 and July 10, A commemorative cachet was provided for the occasion. Some flown covers are at hand from these flights - at least two, which this collector has received. Both have the cachet and one hand inscribed: "Flown by R. E. Schreder in the H P 8" with cancellation of the landing area at South Otselic, N.Y. July 10, The other is inscribed on the reverse side, and a card is enclosed, "I carried your letter with me on a soaring flight from Harris Hill, Elmira, to Whiteha1I, N.Y. The distance being 203 miles, I believe. This was the third longest flight of the day. F. Sebek". This cover has the cancellation of Whitehall, N.Y., July 10, In other countries glider-flown covers have been reported from time to time. In Switzerland, for instance, a special "Glider Postflight" of the Swiss.glider HB 366 Bellavista was announced for July 18, 1959 to take place from Egerkingen, Sol. In this country, although glider-flown covers have been reported less frequently, soaring or glider flight has made great progress each year. -Dr. Max Kronstein DAN R. ROBERTSON DIES Early Airmail Pilot Was Lindbergh Flight Backer A recent Associated Press dispatch from St. Louis savs that Dan R. Robertson, an early airmail pilot, died on June 5th of a heart attack at the age of 52. He was one of four brothers who blazed trails in aviation and was a backer of Charles A. Lindbergh's historic flight across the Atlantic to Paris in He was a fellow pilot of Lindbergh for the old Robertson Aircraft Corporation, which flew the mail between Chicago and St. Louis. The brothers were associated with the old Robertson Aviation School and Robertson Field, which later became the nucleus of Lambert-St. Louis Municipal Airport. PAGE 327

18 BUYING ' ALWAYS INTERESTED! it is impossible to stay in the stamp business without buying... it goes without saying. Hence, having serviced covers since 1926, we are always interested in continuing to stock stamps and covers to maintain "The Department Store of Philately''. - SELLING NOT A MUSEUM! Because we are not running a museum, hut wish to sell the stamps and covers that we have acquired over the years, you will always find us anxious to be of any possible philatelic assistance to you. SO, WE ARE ALWAYS BUYING: Your collection may he shipped, with your instructions attached, and without any previous correspondence on the subject. If you wish to sell, either quote your price or ask for our best cash offer, as you prefer. If you wish to sell via our monthly auctiom, instruct us to handle on 20% commission basis in the next sale to he sent to press. ON APPROVAL: Actually, a large part of our stock can be sent to you "on approval" (on your request). Whatever your field may be, we shall be glad to try to make up selections according to your wants and tastes. True, we may not be of help in some highly specialized fields and in the case of recent flight material, we have not been keeping up our stock. We do have many of the pre airmail covers, and we also have many of the first day covers. BE ON OUR MAILING LIST: If your philatelic interests are active, ask for free current auction catalog and other lists or information which may he helpful to you! MEMBER FOR THIRTY YEARS As a fellow member of The American Air Mail Society for more than thirty years, I welcome the opportunity to help you in any possible way. Drop in and visit us when in Harrisburg! Office open weekdays 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays included. Thursday hours: 9 am to 9 pm. Your Complete Satisfaction Is Always Assured When You Deal with Long!...,... The Department Store of Philately IELl\miER Ro ILO~G 1l1l 2 HA\RK.IET ST o 9 IIIA\RRISIBUUR<Gi9 JP> A\o Life Member: AAMS APS SPA PAGE 328 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 329

19 P. 0. Box 595, Malden, Mo. The latest release by the Civil Aeron autics thought that the inaugural flight into Micific Board was the decision in the Paami would operate via Atlanta. How Northwest Local Service Case, ever, the schedule as issued for this service which expands the routes flown by West involved non-stop flights from Coast Airlines and Pacific Air Lines, both local carriers. The decision provided for an extension of Pacific's Route #76 from Crescent City, Calif., to Portland, Oregon. At the same time,west Coast's Route #77 will serve Salem, Oregon, Newport-Toledo, Bend-Redmond, Oregon on the Portland Klamath Falls Segment and will be extended southward to Sacramento and San Francisco-Oakland. West Coast was also awarded an extension of Route #77 eastward from Klamath Falls to Boise, Idaho via Burns, Lakeview, Oregon giving the latter two cities their first air mail service. Omak, Wash., will also be added to Route #77. The effective date of the decision in this case was July 27, However, West Coast filed a petition for re-consideration of the Board's decision in this case; requesting authority to operate new routes 'between Boise and San Francisco and between Klamath Cleveland and Pittsburgh to Miami without stops at Atlanta. The first flight into Miami was therefore made via Flight #703 on December 14, 1958 by Capt. C. McQuigg operating non-stop from Cleveland to Miami. The mail from Cleveland and Cleveland AMF consisted of a very small dispatch from each office without official cachets, cancelled 9 AM, Dec. 14th, at each office. This mail was subsequently backstamped at Miami at 4 PM, same date. The inaugural flight from Miami was made via Flight #702 on Dec. 14, 1958, Capt. R. T. Dobbins, who handled 675 pes of mail from Miami postmarked 3 PM and 1520 pes from Miami AMF postmarked 3:30 PM. This was backstamped at Pittsburgh (first stop from Miami) at 10 PM, same date. Official cachets were applied at Miami in green and at Miami AMF in magenta. AM ROUTE #14 - ADDITION OF Falls and Reno, Nevada. This being the case, it is probable that inaugural flights TAMPA - CLEARWATER AND ST. involving the awards in this decision were postponed. CHRONICLE- AM ROUTE #14- EXTENSION TO MIAMI, FLA.: Among the other carriers awarded route extensions in the Additional Service to Florida Case, Capital Airlines was authorized to extend Route #14 from Atlanta to Miami. Prior to December 14, 1958 at which time the inaugural flight from Miami was made, Route #14 operated as far south as Atlanta, Ga., and since the Postal Bulletin had announced official cachets for Atlanta for this extension, it was PAGE 330 PETERSBURG, FLA.: Using the same airport, tl1ese cities were given service on this route on Jan. 15, The inaugural Southbound flight was made by Capt. Norman Hunter flying Flight #705, with 595 pes of mail from Tampa, 586 pes from Clearwater and 500 pes from St. Petersburg backstamped at Miami AMF, 8 PM, Jan. 15th. The inaugural Northbound flight was flown by Capt. Edward O'Donnell, carrying 129 pes from Tampa, 125 pes from Clearwater and 300 pes from St. Petersburg. All mail was subsequently backstamped at Buffalo, N.Y., at 11 PM, Jan. 15th. THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

20 Official cachets were applied in black at Tampa, magenta. at ClearWater and purple at St. Petersburg. At this writing, no Southbound dispatch from Atlanta has as yet been made. AM ROUTE #1 - EXTENSION CHI CAGO TO WASHINGTON, D.C.: Inaugurated on Jan. 11, 1959 by United Airlines, this extension to Route #1 involved stops at Dayton and Columbus, Ohio. As originally awarded by the CAB, this extension to United's Transcontinental Route provided for an extension to Baltimore, Md. However, when service was inaugurated, no stops were provided for at Baltimore in the schedule for planes operating via Dayton and Columbus and since these points were served by planes operating between Chicago and New York City, the new service simply resulted in an alternate routing of this route between Chicago and New York City. The Department considered the service as an extension from Chicago to Washington, and therefore, did not provide philatelic treatment_ for an Eastbound dispatch 'from Washington, D.C. The inaugural Westbound flight from Washington, D.C., was made by Capt. F. A. Stetson, Jr., operating Flight #627. This flight handled 740 pes from Washington, D.C., 702 pes from Washington AMF, 373 pes from Columbus, 412 pes from Columbus AMF and 172 pes from Dayton, all of which was backstamped at Chicago AMF (Midway) at 11 AM, Jan. 11th. The inaugural Eastbound flight from Chicago involved Flight #526 in charge of Capt. D. E. Flanagan. He carried 545 pes from Chicago, 877 pes from Chicago AMF (O'Hare), 811 pes from Dayton, 347 pes from Columbus and 402 pes from Columbus AMF. Mail originating at Chicago and Dayton was backstamped at Washington AMF at 10:30 PM. Jan. 11th, while mail from Columbus was backstamped La Guardia AMF at 1 AM, Jan. 12th. Official cachets in the shield-type recently used by the Department, enclosing a map of the new territory served were used. Chicago had purple, Chicago AMF magenta, Dayton green, Columbus purple and green, Columbus AMF black, Washington magenta and Washington AMF blue. SEPTEMBER, 1959 AM ROUTE #107 EXPANSION: Iowa City, Iowa, St. Joseph Mo., and Madison, Wis., were added to this route operated by Ozark Airlines on March 1, 1959 and at the same time, it was extended from Ft. Dodge, Iowa to Omaha, Nebr. Because these additions involved differt:nt segments of Route #107, we t.reat tl1em individually. Iowa City was added to the Chicago - Des Moines Segment of this route. The inaugural Eastbound flight was made by Capt. C. W. Wildhaber as Flight #120. There were 1090 pes cancelled 8 AM, March 1st, and backstamped at Chicago AMF (Midway) at 12 Noon same date. He also made the inaugural Westbound Flight # 121 handling 400 pes cancelled 12:30 PM, March 1st, and backstamped at Des Moines at 4:30 PM, same date. Official cachet was in green showing map of Iowa enclosed in a shield. St. Joseph, Missouri served on the Chicago - Kansas City Segment of this route, was given inaugural North or Eastbound service by Flight #150 on March 1, 1959 in charge of Capt. Jas. P. Cole, who flew 964 pes cancelled 8 AM, March 1st, backstamped at Chicago AMF (Midway) at 12:30 PM, same date. Operating in the opposite direction, Capt. Chas. R. Fullar, Flight #150, carried 291 pes from St. Joseph cancelled at 1 PM, March 1st, and backstamped Kansas City AMF at 2:30 PM, same date. Official cachet was in blue showing map of Missouri enclosed in usual shield type border. Madison, Wisconsin was added to the Milwaukee - Des Moines Segment <'>f this route on March 1st, with the inaugural Westbound flight being made via Flight #131 in charge of Capt. 0. D. Bales, Jr. There were 1182 pes of mail cancelled 8 AM, March 1st, backstamped at Des Moines at 2:30 PM, same date. Capt. P. N. Slough made the inaugural Eastbound flight #130 with 138 pes of mail cancelled 12:30 PM, March 1st, and backstamped at Milwaukee at 4 PM, same date. Same type official cachet as used at Iowa City and St. Joseph was applied in black but they showed map of Wisconsin. Inaugurating the extension of Route #107 from Ft. Dodge, Iowa to Omaha, Nebraska on March 1st, Capt. Raymond PAGE 331

21 W. Traub as Flight #80 made the initial flight from Omaha handling 917 pes of mail from Omaha and 954 pes. from Omaha AMF postmarked 3 AM and 6.AI\1, March 1st, respectively and backstamped at Chicago AMF (Midway) at 12:30 PM, same date. The inaugural flight from Ft. Dodge to Omaha was made by Capt. R. P. Downs as Flight #81. There was a very small dispatch of 76 pes cancelled at 12 Noon, March 1st, subsequently backstamped at Omaha AMF at I: 30 PM, same date. Mail from Ft. Dodge bore no official cachet or other identifying markings. Omaha and Omaha AMF were furnished with official cachets, magenta at Omaha and purple at Omaha AMF. These cachets carried a map of Nebraska. One cover from Omaha PO had the official cachet applied in purple instead of magenta. AM ROUTE #73 - OMAHA - KAN SAS CITY SEGMENT. Service on this segment of Route #73, flown by Front~er Airlines, Inc., was inaugurated on March I, It operates between Omaha and Kansas City via Lincoln and Beatrice, Nebraska and St. Joseph, Mo. Since service between Omaha and Lincoln had previously been flown by this carrier on another segment of this route, we are only concerned with the service between Lincoln and Kansas City, via Beatrice and St. Joseph. The inaugural flight of this service from Lincoln to Kansas City via Flight #191 as well as the return flight via Flight #192 was flown by Capt. Cecil A. Fechner. Lincoln dispatched an estimated 125 pes of philatelic mail via the first flight to Kansas City; Beatrice dispatched 1900 pes South to Kansas City and 381 pes North to Omaha; St. Joseph 855 pes to Kansas City and 321 pes to Omaha with Kansas City and Kansas City AMF 610 and 781 pes respectively. First flight mail from Lincoln did not bear an official cachet or other marking for identification. Therefore, postmark time of 7 AM, March 1st, and backstamp. at Kansas City AMF, 9:30 AM, same date are essential for proper identification. All other offices were furnished with an official cachet showing a map of PAGE 332 Missouri enclosed in a shield which was used at Kansas City and St. Joseph while a cachet of the same design but showing a map of Nebraska was used at Beatrice. Colors: Kansas City purple, Kansas City AMF green, St. Joseph magenta and Beatrice black. AM ROUTE #73 - DENVER - OMA HA SEGMENT. This segment operates between Denver and Omaha via Lincoln, Hastings, Kearney, McCook, Imperial and Sidney, all in Nebraska and Sterling, Colorado. Service between Omaha and Lincoln had previously been flown by this route as well as service from Denver via this segment (previously served). The collector is concerned only with the intermediate points between Denver and Lincoln. Service was inaugurated on March I, The inaugural Eastbound flight was made by Capt. W. D. Chambers operating Flight #51 while Capt. E. L. Aden as Flight #50, made the inaugural Westbound flights. Dispatches involved the following: Hastings 842 pes West and 224 pes East; Kearney 978 pes West and 131 pes East; McCook 609 pes West and 321 pes East; Imperial 230 pes West and 881 pes East; Sidney 164 pes West and 979 pes. East; Sterling }Al pes West and 1354 pes East. Westbound philatelic mail was backstamped at Denver AMF at 12 Noon while Eastbound mail was backstamped at Omaha AMF at 1:30 PM. Official cachets showing map- of Nebraska were used at all offices except Sterling, Colorado where map of Colorado was used. Colors were blue at Hastings, green at Kearney, purple at McCook, magenta at Imperial, black at Sidney and blue at Sterling. AIRMAIL STAMPS OF THE WORLD Mint and Used Sets and Singles SUMMER DISCOUNT SALE free catalogue NORMANDY STAMP STUDIO, INC. Box 1111 Studio City, calif. Member ASDA and Leading Philatelic Societies THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

22 Honor to World Air Forces By "COLLECTOR" A POWERFUL force of offense and a mighty arm of national and international defense, the United States Air Force fittingly celebrated the 50th anniversary of its foundation in August 1957 with a special stamp issue symbolizing 50 years of military aviation advancement. It constituted yet another tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces. However, the U.S. Air Force has not been the only national air force organization to receive such well-merited publicity through the medium of the appropriate post offices. For some years a number of countries has produced regular stamps to commemorate Air Days and Aviation Weeks as a means of maintaining national interest in aviation progress and achievements, both from a civil and military tandpoint. Such issues have emanated from Russia, Poland, Hungary, Roumania, Costa Rica, Colombia, Mexico, the Argentine and Brazil. Of direct relation to Air Force Day ob ervance was the is ue in July 1948 of four charity stamps by Roumania. An early type of aircraft figured on one value, while a second pictured glider planes in flight. A tractor driver signalling at a plane passing overhead, and a transport aircraft in flight over a typical mountain scene appeared on the remaining two stamps. Although, so far, having had no commemorative stamps for its air force, the Australian Commonwealth has recognized Air Force V. eek (September)' since 1948, with a special postmark cancellatjon. The pictorial vignette characterized a small aeroplane in flight as it wrote in the sky as an aid to recruiting: "Join the R.A.A.F. The Service with a Future." Air Force vveek in Australia wa established on a national basis in 1947 to perpetuate the memory of those The Free Norwegian Air airmen who fought and died in aerial battles of the Second Force i s~~an~inted in World War, particularly in connection with the Battle of Britain, the turning-point in the War. Russia's aerial commemorative stamps, variou ly described as Air Day and Day of the Wing, have been of interest, especially the Aviation Day issue of The issue epitomizing the part played by Russian airmen in the last world war, with its realistically rendered designs, not only represented Russian aircraft types, many of whnse early machines were modelled on American types, but depicted incidents in which Soviet planes participated. One stamp showed an Illushin-2 bomber on the attack, and another illustrated several Petliakov-2 bombers. A Petliakov-8 bomber on a snow-covered airfield wa5 also pictured. Russia's Petliakov-2 bomb ers in action Another episode displayed was that of a Lavochkin-7 fighter shooting down an enemy aircraft, while a Illusrun-4 bomber dropping bombs was included in the series. Tupolev-2 bomber aircraft was prominently pictured, and an Iakoviev-3 fighter, engaged in mortal combat with an enemy counterpart, comprised the format of a further valu.

23 FurtJ1er evidence of Russian air activity was een in the design showing an Iakoviev-9 fighter destroying an enemy twin-engined aircraft. As long ago as December 1937 the Soviet Air Force was apparently a force to be contended with, judging from a set of seven stamps on issue to celebrate an Air Force Exhibition in Moscow. Indicating achievements of Russian aviation generally the stamps pictured low-winged Army co-operation monoplanes, planes tj1at were in a few short years to be seen in countries bordering the Soviet Union. Although practically annihilated by the Germans in 1940, during the last war, the Dutch Air Force in time became a powerful arm of defense with the "Free Dutch" organization. Support was forthcoming in the Dutch Indies in May, 1941, when three stamps were released on behalf of Prince Bernhardt's appeal for the purchase of bomber planes. These were for the Dutch Navy,which, with many Dutch soldiers, had crossed the Channel to Britain in May 1940 to continue the fight against German oppre sion. The stamps were sold at a substantial premium for that purpo e. The Dutch Colony of Curacao produced eight stamps for the same cause, an example emulated by Surinam. Meanwhile, when General DeGaulle rallied the remnants of the French Empire to his banner in 1940, the French Cameroons issued four specially-surcharged stamps in connecfion with tj1e "Spitfire Fund", so that the French National Air Forces could continue to take their place in the fight for freedom. Two others were issued in Republican Spain contributed two interesting stamps Royal Arms of Nether- during 1945 to commemorate several air aces of the Spanlands aid the Bomber ish Civil War. One stamp portrayed the likeness of the Fund Campaign hero, Captain Carlos de Haya Gonzales, with his fighter plane; and tj1e second design was devoted to a study of Captain,T. Garcia Morato, his plane, and birds in flight. ' Printed in Canada, a postal tribute to the volunteers who form~d the "Free" Air Force of Norway which trained at "Little Norway", Toronto, Canada, during the last war, was made in March The Norwegian-sponsored stamp adopted as its subject two Nor~egian airmen, standing on top of a globe of the world, with a Viking warrior silhouetted between them. Inscriptions included "Wings for Norway" and "Little Norway, Toronto, Mu koka", while the Norwegian Air Force insignia and the arms of both Norway and Canada also figured in the design. Seven po. tage and. seyen airmail stamp were issued by ~ ~caragua in November 1954 to honor the National Air Force and also the American pilot, Captain Dean L. Ray, who tragically lost hi life while on a goodwill demon tration of the latest U.S.A. jet planes at Managua, in January Portrc its of the American airman appeared on several values, others bowing President Somoza. The Nicaraguan Air Force emblem, one of it hangars and various aircraft types, including Ray's Sabre jet F-86, a B-24 bomber, a T -6 training plane, a P-38 and an A-20, all found a place in the series. Pre-war Defense" German propaganda "Air E xamp 1 es o f mo d ern aucra f t, Jet panes 1 supp ]' 1e d by America, with three of them hurtling in formation over the Ch~ng Shang Bridge PAGE 334 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

24 in Taipeh,. comprised the theme of a single stamp put out by Fonnosa. An indication that the National Chinese forces on Fonnosa were well supported by air power, the stamp appeared in commemoration of the 15th anniversary of Air Force Day, in Stamps placed on ale in the Philippines in 1955 recognized two notable Filipino airmen who made names for themselves in the war in the Pacific. Two stamps issued in October portrayed Lieut. Jose Gozar, who received the D.F.C. for his feat in attacking three Japanese Zero aircraft in December 1941, as they were strafing the Zabian Field. One of the Japanese planes was shot down and the others fled. Gozar's fighter plane and the emblem of the Philippines Air Force complete the design. The Filipino air hero, Lieut. Fernando Basa, the first Filipino airman to be kihled in the last war, was shown on the two stamps distributed in December These coincided with the 14th anniversary of his death. His portrait and the aircraft he used in his flying operations provide the subject matter of the design. Air defense and attack by parachutists constituted the theme of two contrasting stamp series, printed by Germany and Danzig and by Israel.. In March 1937 Germany - whose Government in the early part of the last war.boasted that no enemy plane would ever fly over the border - issued three stamps as "Air D efense" propaganda. T o 5ymbolize preparedness against possible air attack, a steel-helmeted figure, carrying a shield and a spear, gazing skywards, apparently searching for approaching aircraft, appeared on the fourth An Israeli paratrooper anniversary of the National Air Defense League. About the same time. the ill-fated territory of Danzig initiated two stamps on behalf of Air Defense publicity. This time, views of the Polish city were illustrated along with the emblem of the Air D efense organization. Paratroopers were honored by Israel in March 1955 with a stamp featuring a member of the Yishuv, a Jewish soldier, parachuting behind the enemy lines. The Yishuv organization recruited some 30,000 Jewish volunteers for service with the British Army, and greatly assisted in the liberation of Europe, and p articularly that of Jewish people in occupied lands. ( Reproduced with permission from Stamp Collecting, May 29th, 1959.) CHARTER MEMBER'S CELEBRATE 36 YEARS' R'ECOR'D The following have been members of the American Air Mail Sodety for 36 consecutive years : 3. ANGERS, GEORGE W. 29. BECKE, CARL M. 32. FIELD, FRANCIS J. 12. GA SER, MALCOLM 21. HARD, A. M. 10. PRI lzing, Wm. J. 2. TRUBY, HARRY A. springfield, Mass. Minneapolis,.Minn. Sutton Coldfielq, England Norristown,: Penn. Los Angeles, Calif. W aco, Texas New Kensington, Penn. SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 335

25 Aerophilately and Aerophilatelists Address by Samuel Ray at the Annual Banquet of ±he A.A.M.S. It is with the greatest of pleasure that enough. In order to maintain a purpose I welcome you both for myself and for all of us here in Chicago and tell you how happy we are to have you with us for our Society, to prosper and grow, to leave our mark in the literature of the hobby, and to guide those who follow again. High among the amenities of us, it is necessary that we resolutely philately are the wonderful friends one makes and the pleasures attendant on renewing acquaintanceships from year to recognize and attack the problems that confront both the hobby at large and our Society in particular. year at our conventions. Exactly twentyfive years ago I had the pleasure of wel be grouped into two general categories: Our problems for the most part can coming most of you to the 1934 A.A.M. that of the identification of our field, and S. convention of which I was the general chairman. It hardly seems possible within the body politic of the hobby. that of the proliferation of sub-groups that an entire quarter of a century has These two problems are not necessarily elapsed since that time. unrelated and, as I shah point out, impinge upon one another. Nor do I mean to imply with my remarks that these problems have not heretofore been recog As aerophilatelists we feel particularly keenly these social amenities because we are actually a breed apart. Philately wouldn't exist for most of us were it not for the context of aeronautics; we are the people who still look up at the sound of a plane overhead and derive a thrill from its association with the souvenirs in our albums. We are the spiritual descendants of Icarus - we are one with the birds. I suspect, however, that the orthodox philatelists would say we are "for the birds" because we literally. put the Aero before the Philately, exactly as it is ej.-pressed in our name. In addition to stamps and covers we fill.our albums with photographs, news clippings, pictures, post.cards, printed programs, menus, stickers, and vignettes, and all sorts of other aeronautical souvenirs. I suspect strongly that in our collective albums there are enough examples of actual pieces of fa!bric from the skins of old airships, the Hindenburg, the Shenandoah, and even the old Akron, to build an entire new dirigible, or at the very least a pretty good sized blimp. It is particularly because of this aspect of placing the first emphasis on the aeronautical manifestation that created our souvenir and only the second on the philately thereof that we have banded together into a separate organization where we have so much more in common than the ordinary garden variety of philatelists. However, the amenities are not PAGE 336 nized; I am well aware that much thought and work have already been devoted to them. The American Air Mail Society has now been in existence for over a third of a century. It is the oldest, most renowned, and still the most potent organization in the field. It is the favored hobby instrumentality of the U.S. Government and the Post Office- Department. To maintain this leadership and to improve its position it should, without any question, take the initiative in attempting ts solve these problems. Now, as to the definition of our field, it is high time that we began to sort out the materials we collect and give them their proper evaluation, both as to category and even authenticity. Over the years there has been a tendency for fake material to creep into our listings. Unflown material - which is perfectly collectible in its own category - has been indiscriminately listed with flown material, and there seems to have developed an organized disregard for the systematic values of our hobby, a sort of a general acquicsence in the upgrading of material: for example, privately issued stamps have been called "semi-official", semi-official stamps have been called "official", and totally unrelated non-air stamps and ordinary labels have crept into the listings of air stamps. THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

26 The situation has reached the point where many of us are not even speaking the same language with reference to our mutual hobby. It is highly necessary to clarify the field, to call a spade a spade, and to desist from our hitherto ostrich-like head--in-the-ground attitude to the materials we collect. I think our Society should be the leader in re-examining all of our material to determine whether it is authentic, whether it was actually flown, and under what category, if any, it should be listed in our publications. VVe ought also to set up criteria of listing and attempt to eliminate covers which were privately flown, and particularly those of no significance. It is so. simple for any person to create so-called "first flight" covers decorated with privately made cachets. Similarly, it is quite simple for anyone to fly his own "rocket mail". This is precisely the type of activity that we should attempt to discourage by refusing to recognize or list it, and in any case to expose all of the details involved; it is unfortunate that much of of this type of material has already crept into our listings. Our new president-to-be, my very good friend Bob Murch, has had considerable experience concerning "phony" postage stamps as chairman of the Watch-Dog Committee of the American Philatelic Society. His talents in this line will be most useful in detecting and laying low the "phony" stamps and covers in aerophilately. We should use our position as the one group in aerophilately favored by the Government to induce the federal or local authorities to sponsor covers to be carried on significant flights - or even do this, judiciously, ourselves in order to avoid and discourage private and personal initiative in this field. In the field of air mail stamps we should lead in establishing the definitions of what constitutes an air mail stamp as opposed to an ordinary nostage stamp,"and establish definitions fo-r semiofficial stamps. This is doubly necessary because we apparently cannot depend on the popular catalogues to do this. Some of the catalogues, in fact, list a frightful melange of official stamps, private stamps, semi-official stamps, essays, proofs, and ordinary labels all SEPTEMBER, 1959 placed indiscriminately together and thus by implication, spurious material is legitimized by being associated with valid material. It well behooves us to take the lead in clearing up this situation. Now, in my preceding remarks I referred to the existence of other aerophilatelic organizations. It seems that there is a tendency in our hobby to proliferate organizations, many of which come into being without any rhyme or reason, and usually on the initiative of one industrious individual who generally has his own axes to grind. Patently, aerophilately doesn't need all these organizations and their existence is divisive and thereby does more harm than good. AeropMlately is actually an indivisible hobby, even though one group in the hobby claims that they are devoted exclusively to air mail stamps and maintains that our Society is devoted only to covers. Examination of the literature published by this group shows that they run something over 60% - possibly 2/3 - on cancellations, postal markings, and covers, which admittedly is our field. We must admit, however, that there is a germ of truth in the allegation that our interest is primarily in covers. Despite the excellent section on U.S. Air Mail stamps in our catalogue, the bulk of our literature largely ignores air mail stamps -except for the new issues - and consequently does not attract the collectors who are active in this aspect of the hobby. In this connection it might be well to mention the existence of the numerous country-specialist philatelic groups both here and abroad, whose members collect the air mail stamps of the countries in which they are interested, and whose literature also covers, inter al, those air mail stamps. It seems that a mutually advantageous exchange both of literature and members could be set up with these groups, and we could thereby broaden our approach. Now as to splinter groups, by which I mean little organizations devoted exclusively to one minute branch of our hobby such as first flight collectors, dedication collectors, rocket post collectors, Zeppelin post collectors, and so on. It is only natural and healthy for collectors of similar tastes to want to get together to pur- PAGE 337

27 sue their common branch of the hobby mutually and this tendency should be encouraged by our Society, but only within the framework of the Society, because no one of these groups actually stands alone. Each of their fields crosses one or several other fields. As chapters of our Society, these groups might publish a newsletter or "scandal sheet" for personal communication between themselves, but their major work should be published in our Journal because of its potential interest, not only to the members of the originating group but to many other members in the hobby at large. This brings up the matter of publications, without which there would be no members and no Society. Because of this fact it behooves us to emphasize our publications and while I am not unaware of the fact that this may be very costlj in terms of both time and money, it nevertlleless is the keystone to our continued success. A:lthough we are already the leader in the field, to maintain that lead we should strive to publish more and more auilioritative handbooks and catalogues. They need not necessarily be elaborately bound productions but they should be ours - it is painful to see work on any aspect of aerophilately published without our imprimatur. Well, it has been very easy for me to stand here and tell you what I thought was wron_g and what might be done about it. But please bear in mind that I am motivated only by my desire for our Society to prosper. The American Air Mail Society is, in point of fact, the first philatelic organization I ever joined, and although I now belong to some thirty or forty others, I would like nothing better than for it to grow into its destined" place as the leading international aerophilatelic organization. JET FLIGHTS ARCTIC ANTARCTIC TRANS-POLAR FLIGHTS - At Moderate Prices - ASK FOR A SELECTION TODAY WALTER R. GUTHRIE P. 0. BOX 390 A TUCSON, ARIZONA Wh:~!;ale V /O"MEZHDUNARODNAJA KNIGA'' D~~~;rs offers you a large selection of mint and used Soviet postage stamps of old and new issues in sets and short sets as well as First-Day-Covers. For Aero-Postal stationery collectors we have in stock a limited quantity of attractive FIRST FLIGHT AND SOUVENIR COVERS First Jet Flight First Jet Flight First Jet Flight Moscow - London Moscow - Cairo Moscow - Cacheted cover 50c Cacheted cover 50c Phengjang (Korea) & 75c imperf. Cacheted cover 50c F.A.I. Conference In Moscow souvenir cover with cachet 50c & 75c imperf. All covers are sold ori a wholesale basis, i.e. not less 50 covers of each kind per order. Wben the wholesale customer orders more than 100 covers of each kind we allow 10% discount. Cash with order or C.O.D. shiflment All inquiries receive prompt attention. - Orders under $25.00 respectfully declined. All items offered subject to prior sale. V /O"MEZHDUNARODNAJA KNIGA" - USSR MOSCOW 200 PAGE 338 THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

28 TIPS BY Several readers have written about Spanish air-letter sheets. It appears that the new Sanabria Air Post catalogue has stimulated interest for this type of material. We feel that Spanish airmail stationery is just the item for the scientific-minded philatelist. The sheets contain many varieties of color, overlays, printing as well as paper. Sanabria explains in detail the known varieties; however, almost daily some new find is made somewhere around the world. We have been in contact with the major collectors of Spanish material. One of our collectors has promised to obtain air letter sheets for our readers at a price close to face. If interested, write us and enclose a stamp self-addressed envelope for the name of the source. While on Spanish material we mention that Iberia Airlines went to Mexico on a first flight on May 7, 1959: Our cover is postmarked "ler Vuelo Madrid Mexico POR IBERIA - May 7, Madrid". Backstamp at Mexico is May 8. BOAC Comet 4 Jetliner first flight between London and Singapore took place on June 1. Our dispatches are: Beyrouth, June 2; Bahrain, June 2; Singapore, June 4. There were other legs on this flight, however. All cachets use a blue and yellow special printed envelope showing a Comet jet in flight plus a globe showing the route of the flight. Aerolineas Argentina's first flight to New York on May 25, 1959 was not the first day of use of the new 5 Pesos jet airliner adhesive issued by Argentina to commemorate the use of jets. May 16 was the "Dia de Emision". This is a historical year for Avianca - Aerovias Nacionales de Colombia, the Colombian National Airways, founded on December 5, 1919 at Barranquilla, Colombia. This line is the second oldest in the world, being topped by KLM ( founded October 7, 1919). Avianca today has a fleet of 78 modern aircraft which includes the latest Lockheed Super-G Constellations. It has an operating route of 32,250 miles. SEPTEMBER, 1959 JULIUS By JULIUS WEISS 3417 E. 147th St., Cleveland, Ohio The line has authority from the Colombian government to not only transport mail but to actually operate post offices, sell stamps, and perform the usual postal services which include registering mail and the sale of money orders. Avianca also makes delivery of mail to addressees through a corps of more than 300 letter carriers. A subsidiarv of Avianca is Helical (Colombian National Helicopters), which is a lifeline of Colombian's booming oil industry. Starting in 1956, today it has 9 helicopters in service. The whirlybirds set down and supply geologists to investigate oil fields, and supply needs of work gangs already busy in oil production work. On this 40th year of Avianca we hope the line goes on and on with its fine service. Long may it continue its theme, "Don't ask us what's avahable. Let us find out what's needed!" Readers who obtained extra FDC of the 7 c airmail (Balloon) of Aug. 17, might try some stunts with them. Some flights may soon be made in various parts of the globe via balloon. It may be possible to use some of these FDC (on reverse side) to carry the mail of the various balloon flights to take place at future dates providing they are franked with stamps of the country where the flight takes place. The Pan American first jet to New York from Caracas provided us with an unusual item. It appears a letter was not franked, therefore our cover has the official cancel, cachet (black) plus an official's signature. However, the cancel of this flight tells all about the flight and truly makes this item a bit of postal stationery as the cancel was placed instead wf the adhesive. This will be a rather unusual item. (Editor's note: see elsewhere in this issue detai,ls on how to obtain this cover. ) Our item to N.Y. was not backstampd. Pan Am hopes to have some of the ~pecial 300 covers they flew back stamped in New York. Nothing on this yet. The Argentina and Paraguay dispatches PAGE 339

29 all received the backstamp at New York, N.Y. on July 22. Several readers desire to know where to obtain some of the elusive material via auction sale. Needless to say, watch APJ for ads of the latest auctions. If you're interested in a good source which sends catalogues quite often containing much elusive flight material, send us a stamped self-addressed envelope. Qantas plans its Hight from "Down Under" to Britain by way of U.S. sometime in September. We wrote about this in a recent column. The flight in July went to the west coast of U.S.A. only. Delta received its Douglas DC-8 jet late in July. This was the first time a U.S.-built commercial jet airliner had landed in Georgia. Sometime in September.the line will inaugurate jet service. Keep your eyes open for Delta. We would like to hear from readers who have odd or unusurul forms of collecting airmail items. Several have written us and we plan to tell a bit about their collecting methods in the near future. Share your experiences with others and in that way we can all learn and keep our hobby at its highest at all times. Several members have asked us if we are a dealer and what we have for sale. We are not, as we are employed by General Motors (Fisher Body - Cleveland). V\7 e are an accredited writer for the hobby press and have written about short-wave radio, stamps and various, other hobbies. We enjoy philatelic writing as well as other forms of writing as a hobbv, and our collection is a file - just as ~ newspaper has a morgue (file). Ye old sage is 37 years old, a bachelor who feels that freedom of the pres~ is man's most important freedom, whether in a newspaper or in a stamp column. We hope this replies to the letters we get from members asking us to tell a bit about ourself. We do not enjoy telling about ye old sage, but we must make it known that we are not a stamp dealer, we have nothing to sell, but we are always ready to help a member of AAMS. Should there he a question pertaining to aerophilately, merely send a stamped addressed envelope and if we have the answer we will send it along pronto. PAGE 340 LOOKING FOR GREENER PASTURES? BEGINNERS' S 1 PECIAL! 57 diff. scarce airleiiers 30 special pages plus momtting corners I 3-ring binder only $ 9.95 postpaid, new customers only. Subscribe to my New Issue Service or.order from my lists to be had against an Be stamped & addressed large envelope. Stationery lists 50c, deductible. Additional pages $4.50 per 50, postpaid. Catalogues supplied. Box 186 LAVA New York 59 NEW ISSUES OF' MINT AIRMAIL STAMPS THE MOST ECONOMICAL METHOD OF COLLECTING NEW ISSUES, INCLUDING RARE AND UNUSUAL ITEMS AT NEW ISSUE PRICES - Send For Descriptive Folder - F. W. KESSLER 500 FIFTH A VENUE NEW YORK 36, N. Y. THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

30 OFFICIAL SECTION AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY MONTHLY REPORT. From the Secretary Ruth T. Smith, Ferndale & Emerson Sts., Philadelphia 11, Pa. September l, 1959 NEW MEMBERS 4635 Hust, William L., th St., Marysville, Calif Russell, Thomas E., 1223 Wertz Ave., NW., Canton 8, Ohio 4637 Beamer, W. V., 5919 Elsinore St., Philadelphia 20, Pa Fowler, Dorothy S. (Mrs.), 1310 W. Medlock, Phoenix, Arizona 4639 Headley, Emest W., PO Box 75, Springfield 99, Ohio 4640 Tuthill, Hull E., Main Rd., Mattituck, L. 1., N.Y Gagg, Alfred, th St., Hollis 23, N.Y Zirkelbach, Leslie, PO Vailsburg Stat., Newark 6, N.J Bedard, William L., Box 637, Detroit 31, Mich Swanson, Carl L., Jr., 1621 Lewis Dr., Lakewood 7, Ohio 4645 Fuerst, Talbot A., PO Box 186, Long Island City 4, N.Y Fladung, Edward, Box 381, Sierra Madre, Calif Waddell, John L., Arenzville, Ill. NEW APPLICATIONS DeWitt, Omar L., th Pl., LaGrange, Ill. Engineer. Age: 53. AM UC PC FF CF 1D APS X By: H. Brandner Carah, John M. (Capt.), 146 E. Palfrey Dr., San Antonio 10, Tex. USAF Pilot. Age: 37. AU U20 VC FF CAM FAM OF 1D X By: H. D. Westbrooks Woodard, Betty, 545 Superior South, Salem, Oregon. Statesman-Journal, Newspaper Advert. Age 48. By: Julius Weiss Pappenheimer, Ralph, 1047 Barry Lane, Cincinnati 29, Ohio. Retired. Age: 67. By: Jos. L. Eisendrath, Jr. Dumont-Fouya, Andre, 38 Ave. G. Clemenceau, LaPerreaux, s/marne, Seine, France. Transportation. Age: 44. HC EL FF FAM RP OF By: M. S. Hirsch Abbott, Arnold W. (Dr.), 703 E. Harvard Pl., Ontario, Calif. Physician. Age: 41. By: P. C. Nahl Harmer, Cyril H. C., 41 New Bond St., London W1, England. Dealer. By: R. T. Smith Baylis, Charles P., 5542 East River Rd., Grand Island, N.Y. Student. Age: 16. U20 UC FAM 1D X By: H. Brandner Crumrine, Arthur M., lolh W. College Ave., Apt. 4, Westerville, Ohio. Sales. Age: 35. AM AU U20 UC PC HC FF GF CAM FAM OF Z 1D By: R. T. Smith Hoffman, Richard A., 4 Veterans Ave., Worcester 3, Mass. Moldman. Age: 28. By: J. Weiss Russell, C. D., PO Box 414, Bakersfield, Calif. Postal Clerk. Age: 40. AM U20 UC FF CAM FAM 1D X By: J. Weiss McGaw, Stephen H., 3806 Estes Ave., Nashville 12, Tenn. Advert. Mgr. Age: 42. AM AU U20 UC PC HC CAM FAM 1D X By: G. D. Kingdom RE-INSTATEMENTS 1405 Dorsett, E. Lee (Dr.), 120 Orchard Ave., Webster Groves 19, Mo. AM AU HC FF X NEW LIFE MEMBER LM #95 Higgs, Suzanne, Nassau, Bahamas LM #96 Costales, Eugene N., Garden City, N.Y. LM #97 Harmer, H. R., London, England CHANGE OF ADDRESS Sharp, Harriet S., PO Box 4396, Tucson, Arizona Ellis, Charles J., Sunrise Hill. Charles City, Iowa Wasmer, Herman, 548 Addison St., Chicago 13, Ill. Cullen, Merle B., 2505 West Blvd., Duluth, Minn. Borcher, Fred W., 1326 Neilson St., Berkeley 2, Calif. Bykovetz, Dmytro,. Jr., PO Box 2913, Philadelphia 22, Pa. Detwiler, Jack R., 4244 Mt. Herbert Ave., San Diego 17, Calif. Kostenko, Barry M., 6772 N. Oxford Ave., Chicago 31, Ill. Wiggin, Mabel Rodgers, 6 Compo Hill Ave., Westport, Conn. Hollister, Frank C., PO Box 233, Camp Hill, Pa. SEPTEMBER, 1959 PAGE 341

31 NOTES FROM D OWN UNDER New Zealand - Tasman Air Link, Auckland :to Brisbane By Teal Cover are now at hand carried by New Zealand's international airline, TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited), on tbe new Trans-Tasman link Auckland to Brisbane. Thus, New Zealanders are offered the opportunity of wintering at AustraHa's "Surfers' Pan~ dise" as well as Fiji and the Pacific Islands. The new service, to run once a week for three months, commenced on July 4. Philatelists were disappointed that a special cachet was not provided - the best the Post Office would do was to backstamp on arrival. Shown here is a cover carried on the return Brisbane-Auckland flight and a photo of Mr. J. S. Webb, acting-manager of the postal branch Auckland, handing / over the special mail to Captain D. W. Keesing, commander of.the DC 6 that made the inaugural flight. -J. S. Langabeer PAGE 342 AIR POST ISSUES Are Frequently Offered IN OUR AUCTION SALES Our OCTOBER sale includes one complete session of Air Post Send your request now for the for the fully illustrated, accurately described auction catalogue: it is gr:::tis. H. R. HARMER, INC. The Caspary Auctioneers 6 West 18th St., New York 36, N.Y. THE AIRPOST JOURNAL

32 RECENT SOVIET JET COVER Illustrated is a cover flown March 3, 1959, from Moscow to Phenjan, Korea, by the first jet flight by Russian plane betwen those points. The cachet illustrates the TU-104, well known Russian turbo jetliner. The colorful stamp shows esta-blished mail routes from Moscow. There is a cachet on the reverse side applied at Korea. This cover was sent us by "Mezhdunarodnaja Kniga", the Soviet philatelic agency, whose advertisement appears elsewhere in this issue. We believe it's the first time they have advertised in an American publication - at least we've seen no other - and we're glad they chose the Airpost Journal. Airport De rlications By WILLIAM T. WYNN Rockdale, Deiroi:t 23, Mich. No dedication is planned at Salem, Mo. or Reynoldsburg, Ohio. - First Flight covers from Amuston, Ala. on Dec. 1, 1958 are not dedications. - Washington, Pa. held dedication of its County Airport on May 9, but NO covers are known. - Yoakum, Texas held dedication on May 17 but again no known covers. - Sheldon, Iowa will dedicate on Sept. 9, Chamber of Com- SEP'TIEMBER, 1959 merce will hold covers. - The following is a list of 1959 airport dedications as we have it as of now, with the number of covers reported to have been mailed on each event Twent -nine Palms, Calif. ( 6) Seguin, Texas. ( 18) 4-lR- Marietta, Ga. ( 10) Oakley, Idaho ( 62) Olean, N. Y. (50) Sturtevant, Wis Sac City, Iowa ( 78) Covers are reported from Bodega Bay, Calif. July-3; Allison, Iowa, July-5; Eagle Pass, Texas, July-5, but no further information on these three as yet. Too few covers are being mailed on these events, due to the fact that we are not getting enough advance publicity for collectors to cover the events. We feel sure that :1. large number of covers were mailed on Allison, Iowa and expect the same for Fond du Lac, Wis. which was due on July 19th. Covers for the Sturtevant, Wis. dedication of June 14 were mailed on Monday A. M. June 15, as the post office was closed on Sunday. Will you hold covers for airport dedications in your section and m-adl them out for the readers of this column? If so kindly send the editor of this column your name and address so that it may be listed. PAGE 343

33 ARGENTINE AIRLINES INAUGURATE JET SERVICE Buenos Aires: (Special to the Airpost Journal) Fifteen short hours after the Comet 4 DeHavilland jet plane whizzed off the Idlewild International Airport, in New York, we set down at Ezeiza, slicing travel time between the two largest cities of the Western Hemisphere exactly in half. The last time the writer made the flight, in 1958, it took five stops and thirtv-two hours. The flight - the inaugural of a second weekly schedule - set a new record in air tninsportation since it represents the first pure-jet aircraft to be used on an international ~ervice between countries in the Western Hemisphere. Actually the inaugural of jet service took place on May 29, when a once-aweek schedule was introduced by Aerolineas Argintina. As soon as the equipment was available the second flight was introduced, leaving New York on July 12. The service makes fuel stops at Piarco Airport in Trinidad, and at Galeao, in Rio de.janeiro. The inaugural marks another milestone in the history of the Argentine Airlines. The history of air transport ( and especially, airmail) of the Argentine is studded with pioneering records. The important nations of South America long have been an important source of products - particularly foodstuffs and raw materials - which European nations desperately needed. Long before the United States envisioned it as a worthwhile market, European nations competed with each other with more than a littk keenness. Almost as soon as aircraft had been developed for long-distance hops, Europeans were sending pioneers from Germany, France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and England to survey and establish early routes. It is interesting to note that mail was being flown between Argentina and the continent years before the first service headed towards North America. Aeropostal was founded as a government line in 1931, for the shipment of mail from Buenos Aires to the outlying cities to bring faster, more efficient post- PAGE 344 By ERNEST A. KEHR al service to natives who formerly had to rely on rail, river or coach transport. European airlines served the routes over the South Atlantic. The Graf Zeppelin, for example, was making regular flights from Friederichshafen in the early thirties on split-second schedules that were as dependable as a German railroad. In the meantime a few small, privately-owned airlines were esta:blished for service between cities not linked by Aeropostal. By 1950 the networks were so extensive (and in some instances duplicating) that the Government unified all of them to form Aerolineas Argentina. That same year, AA decided to enter the ~ntemational market. For almost two years, its DC-6' s were flying from Buenos Aires to New York on a training basis, carrying only diplomatic mail and a few government officials. By March, 1950, the line was ready for regularly scheduled flights. One route extended from BA to London, with a leg connecting Rome and Lisbon; the other was BA to NY, via Montevideo, Rio, Belem and Trinidad. The service is of particular importance siijce it now brings mails to the United States in less than half the time formerly required. Mail ~ervice never was good from Argentina or Brazil, and it still is less than fast. AA's route, which goes through Rio, now enables the Brazilians to ship mail to the United States by jet. (The Pan Am route opened on July 21 by-passes Rio, stopping in Paraguay instead.) To mark the occasion, Argentinian postal officials authorized the release of a special 5 peso, olive and black stamp which depicts the Comet 4 and a Mercator projection of the world map to show its international routes. It is the world's first postage stamp to actually depict a jet plane used to carry air mail. While prepared as a commemorative, the Ministry of Communications told the writer that "this stamp has already proven to be so popujar that it will be retained as a regular airmail to frank post cards and letters weighing less than 5 grams and addressed to the U.S.". THE AIRPOST JOURNAL