{"id":24044,"date":"2018-08-13T08:27:14","date_gmt":"2018-08-13T13:27:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/?p=24044"},"modified":"2018-08-13T08:27:14","modified_gmt":"2018-08-13T13:27:14","slug":"red-united-states-air-mail-stamp-continues-the-flight","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/postalemployeenetwork.com\/news\/2018\/08\/13\/red-united-states-air-mail-stamp-continues-the-flight\/","title":{"rendered":"Red United States Air Mail Stamp Continues the Flight"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Air<\/p>\n

WASHINGTON\u00a0<\/strong>\u2014 The U.S. Postal Service is issuing a second Forever stamp this year to commemorate the 100th anniversary of U.S. airmail service.<\/p>\n

United States Air Mail\u00a0Red<\/em>\u00a0commemorates the centennial of an Aug. 12, 1918, flight from College Park Airfield in Maryland to New York City that became the first step in establishing transcontinental air routes. The first stamp, United States Air Mail\u00a0Blue<\/em>, paid tribute to the pioneering spirit of Army pilots who initiated service in May of the same year.<\/p>\n

The two stamps are identical except in color. Both stamps are printed in intaglio, where the design is engraved into metal plate and then transferred to the stamp paper, and feature a drawing of a plane typically used in the early days of airmail, a Curtiss JN-4H biplane. The stamp designer and typographer was Dan Gretta; Greg Breeding was the art director.<\/p>\n

A first-day-of-issue dedication ceremony for the United States Air Mail\u00a0Red\u00a0<\/em>stamp will be held Aug. 11 at the\u00a0College Park Aviation Museum<\/a><\/em>and\u00a0College Park Airport<\/a><\/em>\u00a0in College Park, MD. The dedication ceremony coincides with the museum and airport\u2019s Airmail Centennial Celebration\u00a0Family Day<\/em><\/a>, which features hands-on activities for all ages, viewings of historic planes, entertainment, and food trucks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hope this stamp will serve to honor the tireless work of those with the vision to see the potential of airmail service,\u201d said David Williams, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President, U.S. Postal Service, who serves as the dedicating official. \u201cWe want it to stand as a tribute to the pilots who braved climate conditions of all manner to deliver the mail.\u201d<\/p>\n

During World War I, a small group of Army pilots delivered mail along a route that linked Washington, Philadelphia and New York \u2014 initiating the world\u2019s first regularly scheduled airmail service on May 15, 1918.<\/p>\n

The Post Office Department took charge of U.S. Air Mail later that summer, operating it from Aug. 12, 1918, through Sept. 1, 1927, and developing the critical infrastructure \u2014 profitable routes, lighted airfields for night flying and improved navigational tools \u2014 that allowed it to succeed.<\/p>\n

Stamp Ideas Welcome<\/strong>
\nThe public is encouraged to submit stamp suggestions. Visit\u00a0usps.com<\/em><\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0details<\/em><\/a>\u00a0on the stamp selection process and instructions for submitting suggestions in writing. Because of the time required for research and approval, send ideas for stamp subjects at least three years prior to the proposed release. For each submission include pertinent historical information and important dates associated with the stamp subject.<\/p>\n

Ordering First-Day-of-Issue Postmarks<\/strong>
\nCustomers have 120 days to obtain first-day-of-issue postmarks by mail. They may purchase new stamps at Post Office locations, at the Postal Store\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>or by calling 800-782-6724. Customers must affix the stamps to envelopes of their choice, address the envelopes to themselves or others and place them in larger envelopes addressed to:<\/p>\n

FDOI \u2013 United States Air Mail\u00a0Red<\/em>\u00a0Stamps
\nUSPS Stamp Fulfillment Services
\n8300 NE Underground Drive, Suite 300
\nKansas City, MO 64144-9900<\/p>\n

After applying the first-day-of-issue postmark, the Postal Service will return the envelopes through the mail. There is no charge for postmarks up to a quantity of 50. For more than 50, customers are charged 5 cents each. All orders must be postmarked by Dec. 9, 2018.<\/p>\n

Ordering First-Day Covers<\/strong>
\nThe Postal Service also offers first-day covers for new stamps and stationery items postmarked with the official first-day-of-issue cancellation. Each item has an individual catalog number and is offered in the\u00a0USA Philatelic<\/em>\u00a0publication and onlineatusps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>.\u00a0<\/em>Customers may register to receive a free\u00a0USA Philatelic\u00a0<\/em>publication online at\u00a0usps.com\/philatelic<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Philatelic Products<\/strong>
\nThe following philatelic products are available at\u00a0usps.com\/shop<\/em><\/a>:<\/em><\/p>\n