The Philatelic Database – Archive of Stamp Collecting Articles

This article tracks the first ten years of Chile airmail, from the inaugural pioneer official airmail services between Santiago and Valparaiso in 1927 to the subsequent links to the United States and Europe.

Periodically, reference is made in ”The Aero Field” to “All–Up” mails and the term appears to have puzzled some new collectors for the publishers have had several requests for an explanation. As the few that have written are probably only a small proportion of those who have been mystified the following notes may be of use to many readers.

This attractive airmail issue of Peru was recess printed by Waterlow and Sons. Perf. 12 1/2. There were two stamps in the set. 2s. blue and 5s. brown. They featured a Fairley fighter and were issued February 1, 1934.

There is a certain romance about zeppelins and their stamps are eagerly sought by collectors. This issue from Paraguay consisted of five stamps released on May 6 1933.

This article was originally published in the “Daily Telegraph” (UK), August 4, 1911. I have read a number of articles on these early experimental aerial flights but this one is interesting because it notes the use of “aerial” post boxes located in London department stores and firms.

Published by kind permission of the author.

Before telling the story behind the fascinating cover illustrated, a description is necessary…

This is a rather rare article originally published in an Australian journal “Sea, Land and Air” in 1918.

It is a fascinating look at an attempt to establish airmail services from England to Australia. It would be another sixteen years (1934) before a service was established.

Apart from the early overprints in 1929, the first airmail stamp design for Nicaragua was the well known ‘aeroplanes flying over the volcano of Momotombo’. Now the American Navy was in Nicaragua at the time for reasons to prop up the regime and they had one aeroplane a DH-4s.

In 1920 the famous pioneer air concern was born, under the title of the Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service, and its initials soon became known wherever aviation matters were discussed.

This article is probably one of the first airmail articles, certainly of any length, to be published in a philatelic journal. It was first published in Stamp Collectors’ Fortnightly (January, 1921) from a paper read by Major RS Archer, MC, as his Presidential Address before the Liverpool Junior Philatelic Society, October 11th, 1920.

I rather like Air Mail stamps of the world, used on airmail covers (of course), which logically is why they were issued. The sight of the familiar blue and red bordered airmail envelope emits a subliminal message, evoking images of distant, beckoning, exotic places. For me, at least.

The Canadian Aerophilatelic Society provides a forum for the exchange of information among Canadians who are interested in any aspect of world-wide aerophilately

The destination was rare, it was early airmail and it seemed like it may have an interesting story due to the changes to the routing.

Little did I realise how much effort it would take me – with the kind assistance of others – to unravel the story.

Please visit www.usairmailstamps.com for more rare and collectible United States Airmail Special Delivery postage stamps.

After 1951 it issued its own airmail stamps to cover fees on letters carried. The letters had to be handed in and collected at airports and town terminals. They were not carried by the Post Office.

A special lightweight single sheet of paper printed and gummed and designed when sealed to form an air letter.

A general term to denote letters and postal items carried by air. The cost is usually more than the surface mail, particularly on the longer distances, and of course the time taken is much less than by surface mail. Many countries produce special “airmail” stamps for use on such items.

The British Air Mail Society (BAMS) formerly the British Aerophilatelic Federation (BAeF) was founded in 1985 and incorporates the Aero Philatelic Club, London (1923) and the British Air Mail Society (1958).

The Metropolitan Air Post Society, or MAPS, is a non-profit association of aerophilatelists. It started as the Metropolitan Airmail Cover Club, MACC, in 1941.

The Irish Airmail Society was founded in 1989, following interest in Irish airmails shown by several philatelists, some resident in Ireland and others in Great Britain, Switzerland, Canada and USA. The Society had over 30 members within its first year. Coincidentally, it was formed in the year of the 50th Anniversary of the first regular [...]

The AAMS was founded in 1923, and is the second oldest aerophilatelic society in the world with over 1,500 members worldwide. The AAMS publishes the monthly magazine The Airpost Journal & the Jack Knight Air Log, as well as the American Air Mail Catalogue, and many other aerophilatelic books. See the list of Airpost Journal [...]

Ronald M. Lee. Amongst the more common Australian first day covers are those issued in 15 July 1940 to honour the Australian forces. Four stamps were issued on that date, the denominations being the one penny, two pence, three pence and six pence.

Special airmail service, operating in 1942 for United States’ servicemen. Similar to the British Airgraph Service.

In September 1931 The Airmail Society of Australia was formed to “foster and stimulate the hobby of aerophilately”. By 1934 it had members in England, Nyasaland, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, Iraq, U.S.A. and all states of the Commonwealth of Australia. Its president was A.A. Rosemblum, and from 1933, its secretary was Phil Collas, both [...]

Used by British forces in the Middle East during World War II. A special form was used for the message and the recipient’s address. This, when completed, was autographed and the negative flown to the appropriate post office. Here a print was made, which was delivered to the addressee in the normal way. The similar [...]