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.

Astrophilately was born soon after the launch of the first ever earth orbiting satellite, the Soviet Union’s Sputnik on 4th October 1957, reached its peak during the Apollo mission years 1969—1972.

Odd, but interesting. Great moments in aviation history as told through postage stamps.

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.

Z 127 Graf Zeppelin was a large rigid airship (or dirigible). It was named after the German pioneer of airships, Ferdinand von Zeppelin.

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.

The Handley-Page aircraft HF42 “Horatius” carrying mail on the first leg to Paris of the inaugural flight to Australia.

This cover was addressed to No 1157. L.A.C. Palmer, T.P., R.A.A.F. Detachment, Australian Coronation Contingent, Australia House, London W.C. 2, England, and the two mauve 9d ‘Kangaroo on Map of Australia’ stamps were postmarked with an ASHFIELD/ 1 AM/ 7 MAY/ 1937/ N.S.W with a slogan roller cancel.

This rather attractive air mail stamp depicting the garuda bird, engraved and recess printed by Waterlow, was first issued January 3, 1925 and continued until 1937 in two sets.

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.

We publish this fine postcard by kind permission of the photographer. We hope to publish more of his work in the near future…

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.

This image is the first photograph in a series showing worldwide aircraft.

Vickers was a famous name in British engineering that existed through many companies from 1828 until 1999.

Onward Air Transmission markings occurred between 1940 and 1973 and signified airmail items that were to be expedited by air mail. OAT can also stand for Onward Air Travel.

The first air mail flight in Canada was from Montreal to Toronto on June 24th 1918. It was made by Captain Brian Peck from the Royal Air Force training school at Leaside, outside Toronto.

This interesting first flight cover was one of the early Pan American services.

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.