THE A OS JOU N

Special Helicopter Stamp And Cover Issue

VOLUME XXV ll - NO. 9 JUNE, 1956 Errors, Varieties, & Airmails For 30 years we have been specializing in all UNUSUAL Items, ERRORS, VARIETIES, e:tc., regardless if :they are or are not listed. Now we .have on hand a very large selection of Airmails, U. P. U., U. N .. F. D. R., Ro:tary, Inverted Centers, Sports, Topicals, Miniature f~1ee:ts, De Luxe Sheets, Proofs, etc., etc. We have oddities and un­ usual items from many different countries as •.• A!byi;sinia, A1bania, Belgium, Brazil, Canary Islands, Colombia, Con­ go, Croatia, Czechoslovakia, Danzig, Ecuador, Epirus, Far East, France & Colonies, Greece, Georgia, Honduras. Iceland, Ifni, Iran, Italy & Colonies, Jugoslavia, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Monaco, N"icaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Romania Russia, ~aar, Salvador, Scadta, Spain & Colonies Tangier, Tanna Touva, Uruguay, Venezuela, etc., etc., etc. We will gladly make Special Selections for you on Approval and, of course, you have the right to return anything. Please check where you are especially interested. ( Central America ( Booklets ( South America ( Covers ( Asia. ( DeLuxe Sheets ( Africa ( ( Europe ( F. D.R. ( Belgium ( Inverted Centers ( France & Cols. ( Miniature Sheets ( Uberia ( Proofs ( Lithuania ( Rotary ( Poland ( Sport ( Russia ( Topicals ( Spain ( U. N. ( Airmails ( U. P. U. Americana Please t:heck if you are especially interested in: ) Items up to $5 ( ) Up to $15 ( ) Up to $25 ( ) Up to ?? Please check if value of our first selection should be: $50 00, $100.00, $200.00, $500.00, $1000. Additional Information

References (if unknown to us)

City (Postal No. please) Address Name S., Serebrakian 15 PARK ROW BA 7-3830 NEW YORK 38, N. Y. Special f-lelicopter Issue • JOH N J. SMITH EDITOR OF THE MONTH • Several Stamps Depict Famous Persons And Aircraft Associated With Hel icopters • In the past few years there has de­ veloped a great deal of interest in the collection of autogiro and helicopter flig~t covers. This is most likely due in part to the fact that the majority of these flights are of recent origin and have given the average collector an op­ portunity to specialize without the ex­ penditure of large sums. Since trans­ po1fation of mail by helicopter is largely ; in its infancy there is still a great op­ portunity for the newcomer to start nch a collection. Along the same lines is the opportun­ ity for the collector who is only inter­ ested in stamps for an enjoyable side line collection This is the collection of JOHN J. SMITH stamps showing rotary wing aircraft or p ersDns or things associated with them. The cover collector may also find this of Secretary - Treasurer Of interest as an addition to his collection. American Air Mail Society, Leonardo da Vinci has long been as­ sociated with the helicopter. The orig­ An Arden Helicopter Stamp And inal manuscript of his "Codex Atlanti­ cus", preserved in the Ambrosian Lib- Cover Collector - Served As tary in Milan, shows that as early as Special Editor For This Issue 1490 Da Vinci had made designs for a helicopter. Da Vinci is shown on the ( Continued on next pa ge)

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF Tm· THE AIRPOST JOURNAL AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY Entered as second-class matter. February 10, 1932, at the post office at Albion, Pa. under the act of March 3, 1879. P ublished monthly. JUNE, 1956 - VOL. XXVIII, NO. 9 - ISSUE NO. 314 - 25c PER COPY

- 291- stamps of J.taly in 1938 and again in The next issue to appear was in Bel­ l!:lb~ on tne issue cornmemoratmg the gium where · a 7 Fr. - 3 Fr. Mail 5uuth Anmversary or ins mrth. Semi Postal stamp was issued on August 7, 1950. This stamp shows a helicopter In June oi 1905 ~pain issued a 2 Pe­ leaving the airport and the surtax was seta stamp to commemorate the inven­ for the National Aeronautical Commit­ tion or the autogiro by Juan de la Cier­ tee. va. ·1nis stamp shows an autogiro in In 1951 I.taly issued a 20 Lire stamp thght over ::>ev1J1e. Several pertoration during the 29th Milan Fair showing a varieties ot this stamp are known and in helicopter over the Leonardo da Vinci 1938 it appeared re-engraved. On sev­ Heliport. eral occasions this stamp was overprint­ On April 24, 1954, to publicize ex­ ed but these varieties are not all recog­ perimental transportation of mail by nized by Scott. helicopter from Milan to Turin, a 25 On March l, 1936 a set of 15 stamps Lire stamp was issued showing the spe­ commemorating .the 40th Anniversary of cial trophy. the National Press Association was issued Both of the above mentioned Italian by Spam. The 15c, 30c, 50c and 1 Pe­ stamps were overprinted AMC FTT for seta value of this set show an autogiro use in Zone A of Trieste. The 1952 Da over the Casa de Nazareth home for dis­ Vinci set was similarly overprinted for abled newspapermen use in Trieste. Monaco joined the parade in 1954 by Sanabria lists an overprint on one of issuing a 1 franc triangular postage due the local tax stamps ot narcelona. This stamp showing a U., S. Navy Sikorsky stamp was issued on April 14, 1936 and helicopter. ' shows an autogiro ovt1p1·,nted in blue Hurricane Hazel in its sweep across and with the additional overprint in Haiti caused considerable damage. Heli­ black commemoratmg the 5th Anniver­ copters were used extensively for rescue sary of the republic. operations. Later in 1955, ten postal tax stamps of two designs were issued with From 1939 to 1947 fifteen stamps of the proceeds to be used for reconstruc­ a similar design were issued showing an tion of damaged property. The first de­ autogiro and Juan de la Cierva. sign shows a helicopter 'inspecting the In 1942 Clll3 of the Cierva issue hurricane damage while the other shows was overprinted "Golfo de Guinea" in a helicopter in flights. red for use in Spanish Guinea. Listed below are the Catalogue num­ From 1939 to 1947 various of the Ci­ bers of the stamps mentioned in this ar­ erva stamps wert) overprinted for use in ticle. All are Scott's numbers except the Spanish territory of Ifni. However, those prefixed by an ( S ) which are not all of these overprints are listed by from the Sanabria Catalogue. Scott. Spain: C72A, C72B, C77, C80, C82, For use in the International City of C84, Cl00-16, 14L26, 1S158, Sl61, Sl88, T·angier, Spain C72A was issued in 1938 Sl89, Sl93, Sl94, S206. with the overprint "Correo Espanol Tan­ Spanish Guinea: C2. ger". In 1939 the reprinted stamp of this design was issued with the Tangier Ifni: Sl9-25, S26-32, C38-39, C41-46. overprint. As part of their observance of Tangier: Sl, S2. the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Lebanon: Cl48, Cl49, Cl49a. Postal Union, Lebanon issued two stamps on August 16, 1949 showing a Belgium: CB4. helicopter over the Cedars of Lebanon. Italy: 404, 572, 601, 620, 652. On December 18, 1950 a souvenir sheet was issued with the same two stamps as Monaco: J48. well as the other three stamps of the Trieste: ll3. 145, 164, 199. U. P. U. issue. Haiti: RA17-24, RACl-2. -292- ''Fl PEXu Crowning Achievement In World Of Philately • AEROPHILATELY SHARES THE SPOTLIGHT

The philatelic press has for weeks • SIL VER MEDALS .•. been extolling the wonders of the Fifth Harry A. Holman, New York City International Philatelic Exhibition held (Austrian); Ernest Rosenfield, New York the forepart of May in the ideal locale City (Austrian); Jacob S. Glaser, Brook­ of the new New York Coliseum. As re­ lyn, N. Y. (Colombian); Dr. Andreas ported in the May issue of the Airpost Domingo, Havana, Cuba (Liberia, Mex­ Journal, aerophilately and the American ico); Sebastiao Amaral, Belo Horizonte, Air Mail Society assumed a prominent Brazil (Lybia); Jules L. Wacht, Scars­ role in the presentation of this finest of dale, N. Y. (Papua); Dr. R.H. R. Shra­ all exhibitions. Only a few of the high­ dy, Englewood, N. J. (Swiss); Harold lights will be reviewed at this time. A. Dermody, Cicero, Ill. (Pioneers); EXHIBITION ... John P. V. Heinmuller, New York City The Grand Trophy for best exhibit in (various covers); Alberto Bornschein, the show was awarded to Roberto Hoff­ Rio de Janeiro ( Brazil). man of Montevideo, Uruguay for his col­ BRONZE MEDALS . -·· lection of Umguay, 1856-64. The high­ Vincent Lopez, New -Y:ork City ( wor­ est major award to air mails was for the ld): William G. Ehrmann, Ridgefield General Air Mail Collection of Thomas Park, N. J. (world) ; Harry Abelson, A. Mathews, (AAMS No. 2431) of Short Hills, N. J. (world); Frank E. Springfield, Ohio under Classification C. Adams, Havertown, Pa. (Australian); General. Under Section 6 - Air Mails, Ralph S. von Kohnrn, White Plains, N. the Best in Section Award was won by Y. (Austria); Herbert A. Feist, Glenside, Sam Rodvien (AAMS No. 1605) of New Pa. (Brazil); Leon Montes, Port-au­ York City and a Gold Medal with Dia­ Prince, Haiti (Haiti); Capt. Robert W. mond Inset was awarded to Dmitri Tzir­ Sherer, Geneva, N. Y. (Iceland); P. J. acopculo of Cairo, Egypt. The other Drossos, Athens, Greece (Ionian Is­ awards were as follows: lands); Dr. John A. Bushness, Baltimore, GOLD MEDALS ... Md. (Lithuania); Victor Mawratil, Christiane de Dampierre, Paris, France Chene-Bourg, Switzerland (French); (world) Alan ]. Scott, Hale Barns, Eng­ Helen F. Novy, Ridgewood, N. J. (Siege land (Zeppelins and Balloons); Mrs. of Paris Balloons); Dr. Max Kronstein, Louise S. Hoffman, New York City New York City (Pioneers); Fred Bauer, (world) New York City (Trans-Pacific); G. "Bilr' SILVER GILT MEDALS ... Kaufmann, Bergenfield, N. J. (Byrd Victor Bompar, Paris, France (world); Flights); Robert Schoendorf, Glendale, Louis W. Clwrlat, New York City (Canal N. Y. (First Century of Flight); Ellery Zone); Eugenio Gebauer, Caracas, Vene­ Denison, Takoma Park, Md. (Chinese); zuela (Columbia); Irving I. Green, New­ Joaquin Galves, Santiago, Chile (Chile). ton, Mass. (Honduras); James J. Matei­ FIRST DAY SALE ... ka, Jr., Chicago, Ill. (Newfoundland); Sc COMMEMORATIVE STAMPED Maurice Tripet, New York City (Swiss); ENVELOPE ... Dr. L. Seale Holmes, London, Ontario, On Wednesday, May 2nd, the special Canada (Canadian); Bernard Fink, West FIPEX air mail stamped envelope was Hempstead, N. Y. (Zeppelins). placed on sale, and Robert E. Fellers, -293- time to time to issue a commemorative air mail en elope· and it was most grat­ ifying to us in the Department to be able to issue such an envelope during this magnificent international stamp show in the most impressive setting ever provid­ ed for any stamp exhibition. This com­ memorative air mail stamped envelope will be placed on sale in New York City today exclusively and will be available here for the remainder of the show. Since this is a limited issue, only 10 million having been printed, it will not be plac­ ed on sale in post offices throughout the country, but will be available in the Philatelic Agency in Washington, D. C., for a limited time so that collectors will have an opportunity to add this item to their collection. V-/e w"ould be pleased to have all of you visit the International Envelope Corporation exhibit on the fourth floor of this building and see this new 6-cent Mr. Ro•bert E. Fellers, Director, air mail envelope actually being printed. Division of Philately, U. S. Post Of· In the four days since this show opened, fice Departme.nt. 290,000 of these stamped envelopes have been printed and the envelope you buy today from the FIPEX station will be the Director of the Division of Philately, ones actually printed here in the Colis­ represented the ·United States Post Of-· eum. fice Department, and presented special souvenir albums housfog the new en­ ''Every year the ranks, of the air mail velope to Rafael 01·iol, President ·of the collectors are swelling and I know of no American Air Mail Society and Stanley more interesting branch of philately than Rice, President of Aerophilatelists and the collection of air mail material. This also a member of the AAMS . Previous is a particularly fine field for the be­ to the presentation Mr. Fellers made the ginner since the first United States air following appropriate remarks. mai stamp was issued less than forty , ears ago and it is not too difficult for ''It is a privilege to be here today to collectors to obtain the majority of the represent the Post Office Department issues which they have missed. And the and I bring you greetings from Pos,tmas­ collector who specializes in this field has ter General Arthur E. Summerfield. the assurance, too, that increasingly the "Today we are issuing here in New po tal services of the world will resort York City what is, in my opinion, one of more and more to air transportation for the most striking air mail stamped en­ the expiditious delivery of their mails. velopes ever issued by the Post Office We all know that we are on the thres­ Department. The 4-cent adhesive air hold of an era in aviation when the jet mail stamp which was issued some time ago, proved to be so popular that we de­ propelled planes, with speeds of 250 to cided to adapt that design - an Ameri­ 300 miles an houi which we accept to­ can eagle in flight silhoutted against day, will be dwarfed by new develop­ billowing clouds - for the 6-cent em­ ments. This, it seems to me, is one more bossed air mail envelope. added reason why air mail philately of­ "We have had many requests from fers such a great and promising future. - 294- "It has been my great pleasure to meet dent Oriol and Vice-President Murch and work with the members of the assumed charge of the meeting. The American Air Mail Society and the Aero­ principal action taken was the approval Philatelists down through the years and by .all present that a supplement in a we have always found them to be most single volume to our present two Volume cooperative. Both of these societies are to catalogue should be published at the be commended on the contribution they earliest possible date and plans were are making to philately by maintaining formulated to speed the production of and preserving the record of the air mail this supplement. Announcement was service for posterity. You are also to be made of the substantial gift by the late congratulated on the fine exhibits which Charles G. Riess to the society. A per­ you have here and I understand that the manent memorial will be established and air mail entries represent the greatest handled by· a committee to be appointed number ever exhibited. by the President. The awardc is likely to be based upon the ·best prepaJi!d article "It now gives me great pleasure to appearing in The Airpost ;Juulnal, each present an album containing the new 6- year. cent air mail envelope, autographed by the Postmaster General, to Mr. Rafael INTERNATIONAL SALON ... Oriol, President of the American Air Mail Society. Under the direction of Harry L. Lind­ I also have an album for Mr. Stanley quist this section of the exhibition was R. Rice, President of Aero-Philatelists, one of. the most popular and interesting Inc. of displays. From the original Heath die of the Penny Black of Great Britain to AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY the proofs of the Prince Rainier-Grace BOOTH: .. Kelly wedding issue of Monaco, the In­ Lounge W was the headquarters and ternational Salon of FIPEX was a majes­ gathering place for members of the tic display of the philatelili "best" of over AAMS at the Coliseum. Many hundreds seventy participating natfons. of air mail enthusiasts called at the booth and those registering received the special U. S. BUREAU OF ENGRAVING issue of The Airpost Joumal honoring AND PRINTING FIPEX, some airmail Ia:bels and pictorial post cards. Special recognition -should be Staffed by Chester J. Harocki, Supt. given Gus Lancaster AAMS No. 1536- of Postage Stamp Division, Raybern W. L40, for the many hours each day of the Keagy, ace plate printer and picture en­ show that he took charge of the booth graver, Arthur W. Dintaman, frequent and helped all those calling at the booth. demonstrations of the actual printing of He did a fine job and deserves the thanks the special 3c FIPEX commemorative of our society. The General Chairman picturing the Coliseum were given. in charge of all activvties was Sam Gold­ sticker, Jr. Assisting Mr. Lancaster in FIPEX BANQUET ... staffing the booth were Harry Levine, Val White, Dick Bush, Vince De Mase, Held Friday evening, May 4th with John Merriman, Bill Kaufman, Bill 625 guests attending from Europe, Cent­ Schneider, Homer Boltz, A. Goronia, ral and South America and Australia. Ricl-rrd S. Eo'~n, General Chairman acted Tom Cox, Perry Nahl and many others. as Toastmaster. PostmasterfiL,: General Arthur E. Summerfield personally pre­ AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY MEETING ... sented the Summefield trophy to Mrs. Ethel B. McCoy, AAMS No. 1657-Ll), On Sunday, April 29th, at the Henry for her superb 20th Century United Hudson Hotel, a good number of our members gathered for a general meet­ States Collection. ing for the welfare of the society. Presi- (Continued on page 316)

~295------·

1111.. lllllliilliliiiilllllllilllliliilllllilll .... ~2~9~6 .. llllllii .. lllllliillll .. lllllli ...... AIRMAIL SALE Top-grade 13-album Collection cataloguing over $90,000 to be auctioned June 26-28

~\11( any rare. and several unique pieces stud this highly attrac­ tive collection. Some of the unusual lots (with Sanabria num­ bers and prices) follow:

Arcrentina Zepp, #30, catalogue $400. Aus:tria. #1-3, imperf. s~eet-margin pairs, $150; #37-51 imperf., $375. Bolivia #.la (invert), $500; #8, 11, 12, $375; #22-24, $525. Brazil #24a and 25a, ~mperf; pairs, $15,0 and $400. Bulgaria #lb, $250. Cyrenaica # 26a, imperf. pair, $500. French Guiana #28b, $3175. HG>nduras #4a, $300; 9a, $350; 9b, $750; 11, $400; 13.a, $200; 75a·, $150; #24la, $200; 246a, $·500. Iceland #3a and.4a, pairs, $400 each. I:taly #51b, $400; :!;:5lc (unique), $1,000. I:talian Somaliland #3a, imperf. pair, $500. Lebanon #75-82, imperf. pairs, $320; Liberia # 1-3, $200; 5a, $250; .6, $200; ;n, $1,25-0; :f!:32a, $200; 33a, $200, 37, $700. Madagascar, #7a, $300. Mauriici;nia #15a pafr. $1000. · Memel #8a plus Sb (pair), $325. Monaco #15a, $500. Reunion #la, $200. Saar· #2a pair, $800. Surinam #21-25, ·imperf; pairs, $400. Swi:tzerland #43a, $500. Syria #92-101, imperf._ paiis, $500. Turkey #22, $250. Also rarities of · Corfu, Dominican Republic, France, French Levani, Greece, Greenland, Gua:temala, Pakis:tan and Philippines.

A few of the outs:anding items are illustrated on the opposite page. Send today for a catalogue of this great Airmail Sale.

Harmer, Rooke & Co., Ine. International Auctioneers of Fine S~arrips. 560 Fifth Ave. (at 46th St.) New York 36, N. Y.

-297- Chicago Pioneers In Use Of Rotary Wing Plane For Mail • by PERHAM C. NAHL. AAMS No. 218 Life Member No. 29 • Ohicago' s Post Office roof has had Then came the test flights - and near considerable first flight traffic. Helicop­ disaster. On the Friday before Sunday's ter Air Service's pilots Harry Miller and flight was to take place, a rotor blade Wes Moore started regular helicopter was smashed and a tail plane splintered. service on August 20, 1949. Air Mail has After the flights, Miller confessed that been flown to and from the roof ever a nap of two hours was all the sleep he since. obtained during the thirty-six hours prior to the flight. He and Kellett mech­ Before that, pilot James Viner flew a Bell helicopter from the Air Mail Field anics, plus woodworking experts from a to the roofs of Chicago's Post Office and local aircraft factory, worked around the the Merchandise Mart on October l, clock to repair the damage. A preliminary examination had indic­ 1946. These experimental flights were conducted to determine the practicabil­ ated that it would be impossible to have the ship ready in time for the flight. But ity of short-hop "feeder" air mail within Miller and Kellett refused to give up. A a limited area. new set of three balanced rotor blades The real pioneer flight took place more were sent by fast train from Kellett' s .than eight years earlier, on May 25, 1938. Philadelphia factory. The tail plane re­ In conjunction with National Air Mail pairs were completed Saturday night, Week, the Post Office had sworn in pilot and finally approved by Mr. Young, for John M. Miller as a.regular mail carrier, the Bureau of Air Commerce. The new to tlv the mail from Chicago's Air Mail rotor blades arrived at Union St:ation at Field to the Post Office roof. Mail was 7: 10 A. M. the day of the flight, and also carried on the return flight to the were finally installed so test flights airfield. could be made by 1:00 P. M. Current accounts tell of the exhaust­ Less than half an hour later, this auto­ ing preparations made by Johnny Miller, giro opened the National Air Mail Week the:1 chief test pilot for the Kellett Auto­ celebration in Chicago, and commemor­ giro Corporation. Miller flew his wingless ated the twentieth anniversary of 1918's rotorplane from Philadelphia to Chicago first government air mail service. Miller in eight hours and niineteen minutes fly­ and postal clerks at the airport (at 63rd ing time, against headwinds which and Cicero avenues) loaded three pouch­ reached thirty miles an hour. He stopped es of mail, weighing 135 pounds, into en route at Centre Hall, Pa., Cleveland, the front cockpit of the spidery, blue, and Toledo, Ohio. wingless plane at 1:30 P. M. Most of Miller and Ora Young, acting Bureau this mail had been taken from the com­ of Air Commerce Supervisor for the partments of a TWA plane which had Chicago district, worked out an arrange­ arrived from New York (the author has ment for laying steel plates over the por­ seen no authenticated covers from New tion of the Post Office roof where the York). plane landed and took off. His target was Some mail was also postmarked at a bout fifty feet square, fourteen stories Chicago Air Mail Field, 1:30 P. M., and above the street. carried to the Post Office. Some covers -298- are signed by 1 pilot Miller, by Postmast­ ago Post Office, l :30 P . ., with com­ er Kruetgen, or by W. A. Gueger, Clerk parable cachets, markings, or signatures in Charge of the Air Mail Field post of­ - were loaded aboard. A gentle rain and fice - with a typewritten inscription. a few hailstones began to fall. "Let's go," "Expermental Autogyro Mail. This letter Miller said, "I've· got to beat this storm carried in the Kellet Autogyro to roof of to the airport." the Chicago Post Office from Chicago Air Mail Field." Others bear the Nation­ At 2:05 P. M. he taxied fifty feet al Air Mail Week cachet in blue (show­ south of the landing mat; the engine ing a picture of Indian Chief Chicagou). roared, and the wheels left the roof half­ way across the landing mat. The plane Miller warmed up his 225 horse pow­ started a steep climb, and Miller headed er radial engine immediately, and started for the airport. The min and hail struck the rotor. He turned the ship's nose into the field as he appeared out of a black a sixteen mile an hour wind, and climbed cloud to the northeast. Disregarding the away to the cheers of 4,000 people downpour and pelting ice (which drove asse~nbled at the airport. At 1,500 feet the crowds into the airport's terminal he was met by three airplanes and con­ building) Miller settled vertically into a voyed over the eight miles to the Loop· position on the cement ramp. th6 planes left him as he dropped toward the post office. Gauging his distance This was one of the first experiments perfectly, Miller passed 100 feet above in a new development of air mail ser- the roof and looked things QYer, to make vice. It was made possible by the deter­ cmre no spectators were too close to the mination of the pilot and W. Wallace landing zone. One circle, and he landed Kellett, manufacturer of the Kellett gently right 'on target." autogiros, who had overcome extraordin­ As Miller was greeted by Posbnaster ary obstacles to make the test. Pilot Em&st ]. Krtietgen, the cameras of news­ Miller had 'becme the first private owner reel and newspaper photographers click­ ed, and the mail was removed. Outgoing of an autogiro in the world when he had pouches of mail - cancelled at the Chic- (Continued on next page) -299- CHICAGO --- my helicopters and pilots flew the inau­ (Continued from precedini: page) gural mail and the service lasted ap­ proximately a month. It was pronounced bought a Pitcairn •machine seven years successful in every respect. before ·the Chicago demonstration. You The first helicopter air mail flight will find him listed as pilot, on July 6: from shore to ship took place on Octo­ 1939 - - the following year - on Experi· ber 27, 1946, when Lt. Edward Frost, of men~al Route N-0. 2001, between Phila­ the March AFB, California, flew 1200 delphia's Post Office roof and the Cam­ covers from Santa Monica to the USS den Air Mail Field. Chicago was a good Rendova ( an escort carrier) anchored practice run for .this later service! offshore. • The first official helicopter air mail night flight was flown from San Ber­ FAMOUS FIRSTS nardino to Los Angeles: California, on IN AUTOGIROS May 1, 1948 by Los Angeles Airways. The pilot was Fred Milam, flying a Si­ by FRED •HOLLADAY korsky S-51 helicopter, and only 145 collector's covers were carried. Your au­ AAMS No. 3730 thor witnessed this flight and drew the • cachet for the first flight covers. The first autogiro air mail flight took The first helicopter pass.enger flights place on May 8, 1934, during the were inaugurated on June 1, 1950, when APEX Philatelic Exhibition in London. B.E.A. started carrying passengers on Si­ T·he pilot was R. Brie, who is still active korsky S-5l's between Liverpool-Wrex­ in aviation circles in England, and he ham-Cardiff in England. Only about 9 flew a Cerva autogiro. complete sets of covers exist and are all The first rotary-wing mail flight from autographed by either of the following airport to rooftop took place on May 25, pilots of the inaugural flights, J. Cam- 1935, when Lou Levitt carried a special eron, J. Thielmann and J. S. Fay. pouch of mail from Camden AMF to the The first helicopter express flight took roof of the Philadelphia Post Office in place on December 17, 1953 when Los an Autogiro Co. of America autogiro. Angeles Airways flew express from San The first official helicopter experi- Bernardino to Los Angeles. The pilot, mental air mail flights were inaugurated flying a Sikorsky S-55, was Norman on July 8, 1946 to a score o:r more cities Larson, and only 7 covers were carried. in the Los Angeles, California area. Ar- The author also witnessed this flight. -300- British Europeans Airway l-lelicopter Unit Successful • by JAMES WOTHERSPOON, AAMS No. 2151 • B. E. A.'s helicopter unit has been op­ postmen covered 270 miles and took in erating since the summer of 1947. The eight intermediate stopping places. first helicopters used by the firm were three Sikorsky S-5l's, purchased in Am­ Something like half a. million letters, erica and reassembled by Westland Air­ post cards, and small packages were de­ craft of Yeovil, Somerset, Englarn~. Two livered and collected during the four Bell 47's were also purchased at this montrr operation, which ended on Sep­ time. tember 25, 1948; a punctuality of 97 % had been achieved and the residents of The usefulness of this unique type of East Anglia had enjoyed a "speeding up" aircraft in collecting and delivering post of their correspondence by some 12 hours office mails at points where fixed wing during the week and up to 48 hours at aircraft could not land or take off, and week-ends. In all, 350 flying hours in areas where surface transport was were covered without a single mechani­ handicapped, was obvious, and was pat­ cal failure. ently one of tlie most important forms of activity involving regularly scheduled During the ensuing winter months, the flying. The S-51 was quite suitable for work of the Unit was concentrated on mail carrying, while the smaller Bell ship the development of equipment and tech­ lent itself more readily to other types of nique for instrument flying by night and work. in poor visibility. After a preliminary period of familiar­ In the summer of 1949, the G. P. 0. ization flying for the five pilots recruit­ again agreed to cooperate in a test per­ ed to the new unit, a definite schedule iod with dummy mails and again the B. was worked out over a 120.-mile circuit E. A. Helicopter Unit was able to satis­ in Somerset and Dorset, with ten calling fy that office showing that night mail points. In spite of February gales of could be flown to a satisfactorily close more than a mile a minute in 1948, the schedule. unit archieved a regularity factor of 96 % From October, 1949 until March, 1950 during the test period of five weeks, the Unit kept up a night mail service carrying dummy mails. In the final between Peterborough and Norwich, phase of the operation, the G. P. 0. co­ this time without intermediate stops. By operated with personnel, vans, and dum­ this service, mail collected each evening my mail, and the results were so satis­ from the main line railway services at factory that on June 1, 1948, the B. E. A. Helicopter Unit began a live mail Peterborough was delivered to Norwich servic-e in East Anglia on behalf of the before midnight for first aost delivery in Government Post Office. the surrounding districts- next morning. To achieve this, the Unit moved its Similarly the evening collections were base to Petel'borough and, for the ensu- flown from Norwich to Peterborough in ing four summer months, flew a regular the early hours of the morning and soon daily service between there and Great after were snatched from the railway's Yarmouth. The "round" of these aerial (Continued on next page) -301- I

pick-up gear as the night express roared a "rotor station" was set up art Haymills through at w~ll over 60 m.p.r. which is only 31/2 miles from the center of Birmingham. This passenger service Having by this time amassed more was maintained until April 19, 1952, and than 2,000 flying hours and a wealth of it's place was taken by a daily re tum operational experience, the Unit turned freight service with helicopters between its -attenti0n, to- the special problems of Elmdon Airport, Birmingham and Lon­ a regularly-scp~. puled passenger service don Airport. Much the same regularity and on June_ 1, 1950, such a service - record was obtained with the passenger the first of its kind in the world -- was service on the London-Birmingham started between Liverpool and Cardiff route and again the weather was the with an optional call at Wrexham. main cause of any operating difficulties. The ''Welsh" service continued at re­ The helicopter development flying duced frequency throughout the winter program continued throughout 1952- until March 31, 1951, and in the ten 1953 and much '(aluable work was done months period 819 passengers were car­ by the Unit. Among the special tasks ried in the three Sikorskys and the load allotted the pilots was a series of flights factor was . ~8.8 % . Altogether, 1,001 made into the South Bank Exhibition revenue flying hours were logged and site alongside the Thames river. These 98,161 passenger miles were flown. flights were made in July and August, Punctuality was good and a regularity 1952, mainly in order to gain experience of 96.6 % was achieved in the summer of operations in builJt-up areas and sci­ and 72.15 % in the winter periods. Low entific measurements were taken of heli­ cloud and low visibility were the main copter noise on the ground. In July, al­ causes of the irregularity. so, Lord Douglas, Chairman .of B. E. A., In order to g-ain further experience the was flown into the South Bank site in a Unit was transferred to another route in Bristol 171 helicopt~r (a British devel- June 1951 and on the 4th of that month opted helicopter) to attend a debate in the first sCheduled helicopter passenger the House of Lords. service between London and Birming­ ham took place. On June 15, 1954, B. E. A. reintro­ At the Birmingham end of this route duced a passenger-carrying helicopter another ''world's first" was created when (Continued on page 316) -302- First Official Helicopter Mail Flown At Los Angeles • by FRED HOLL.A.DAY, AAMS No. 3730 • Los Angeles, California, and its sur­ Some of the covers flown on these ex­ rounding area, was the scene of not only perimental flights are extremely. rare. the first experimental helicopter air mail Covers were carried both to and from flights, but also the first official heli­ each city, and perhaps the rarest of all copter air mail service, inaugurated in of them are the · ones flown from Pico 1947 by Los Angeles Airways and still to L. A. T., (only 15 carried), Alham­ being operated by that same company. bra to L. A. T., (25 carried), and Tor­ Our story commences on July 8, 1946, rance to L. A. T. ( 18 carried). I have when the U. S. Army Air Force, under never seen a Pico, or a Torrance cover, the direction of Second Assistant Post­ and I am beginning to assume that prob­ master General, Gael Sullivan, started ablv 90 % of ·these were commercial cov­ experimental helicopter air mail flights ers ·which have probably long since been to explore the feasibility of such an o~­ destroved. Also, in the case of the eration. Thr7e separate routes were "Shuttle Route", only 3 covers were flown. The "Inland Route" was flown flown from the downtowa Los Angeles by Lt. John R Halpin from Lockheed post office to Lockheed Air Terminal. Air Terminal, Burbank, California, to the Where these three covers are is any­ following inland cities; . Glendale, Pasa­ body's guess. dena, Monrovia, Alhambra-Monterey The results of the Army Air Force Park, Montebello-Pico, Huntington Park­ trials were completely successful and a Maywood- Bell, Lynwood-Southgate, great saving of time in handling and de­ Compton, Downey, Bellflower, Norwalk, livery of air maH was reported. Thus Fullerton, Anaheim, Orange and Santa bids were asked by the post office de­ Ana. The "Coastal Route" was flown by partment from likely commercial opera­ Lt. David J. Anderson from Lockheed tors to start the service on a commercial Air Terminal to the following cities that soale. Several firms submitted applica­ Ji~ in the coastal region of Southern Ca­ tions with the Civil Aeronautics Board, lifornia; North Hollywood, Van Nuys, with the eventual appointment of a firm Beverly Hills, Santa Monica-Venice, Cul­ named Los Angeles Airways to start the ver City, Inglewood, Manhattan Beach, first official service. Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torran­ The guiding light of Los Angeles Air­ ce, Wilmington, San Pedro and Long ways, whose motto is. "Siempre Primera" Beach. The "Shuttle Route" was flown ("Always First") is Clarence M,. Belinn. by Lt. Harold G. Sommer from Lock­ His name is synonvmous with helicopter heed Air Terminal to the Terminal An­ air mail service today. Back in 1947, Be­ nex Post Office in downtown Los An­ linn's proposals seemed to many to be a geles and return. fabulous dream, but since his firm was The Army Air Force operational offi­ awarded the certificate from the C.A.B., cer for these flights was Capt. Campbell L. A. A. has shown the nation and the Y. Jackson, and two Sikorsky helicopters world that not only helicopter air ser­ were used; a R-5A, and a R-50 model. vice is here to stay, but that the helicop­ Other pilots who flew the routes during ter itself is a practical and dependable the month the service was operated were meflnS of transportation. Lt. James E. Chudars, and a Lt. Dnub. -303- Belinn's aviation experience started with the Air Corps back in the 20's. In LETTER SHEETS 1929 he worked with the old Washing­ AIR ton-New York Air Lines and was later maintenance foreman for Ludington. Af- Aero-Postal Stationery ter the 193·4 air mail fiasco he joined up with Boston and Maine Airways and was later affiliated with Kansas City South- f\JEW ISSUES ern, Hawaiian Airlines and Matson's av­ A COMPLETE SERVICE OF iation division. He formed Los Angeles Airways in 1944 and one can gain an AIRLETTERS OF THE WORLD insight into this man's depth of character by witnessing the patience and tenacity Mint And Flown with which he "sweated out" the ensu- ing two-year wait until his firm won the right to inaugurate helicopter air mail NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED serviee in the Southern California area. NO MINIMUM PURCHASES The inaugural flights were made on October 1, 1947 over Segment "A", EXPECTED which was a route similar to the "In­ Ask For Particulars Today land Route" flown by the Army pilots in 1946. Segment "B" was inaugurated on October 16, 1947, and this route includ­ WALTER R. GUTHRIE ed such cities as El Monte, Pomona, On­ tario, Riverside, Corona and Fullerton, SEA CLIFF NEW YORK which are all .situated inland. Segment "C" was inaugurated on January 10, 1948, and this route was similar to the "Coastal Route" flown by the Army ear­ lier. Later in 1948 a score more cities AT NO EXTRA COST were serviced for the first time by Los Angeles Airways with other stops being added intermittently up to tihe present you :too can enjoy world-famous date. The inaugural flights proved to be ex­ tremely popular with air mail cover col­ SANABRIA - SERVICE lectors with over 12,000 covers flown from AMF Los Angeles alone on the in­ for Air S:tamps and-or Bri:tish augural dates of the first two segments. All other inaugural flights proved to be Empire issues as popular in the amount of first flight covers carried Pilots Charles B. Kesselring, John de - Particulars on request - Blauw and Fred Milam flew most of the inaugural flights. Pilot Kesselring retired from active flying a few years ago and went into the poultry business. John de NICOLAS SANABRIA CO. Blauw was killed in July, 1951 near On­ INC. tario, California, while on a routine heli- copter mail flight, and Fred Milam is A. Medawar, Pres. now head of operations for L.A.A.. The pilots who have flown for L.A.A. during 521 FIFTH AVENUE the eight years of the firm's operations could well make up a page in the NEW YORK 17, N. Y. "Who's Who" of helicopter history. At one time or another, Henry Eagle, Rob- -304- John J. Smith ¥~ernd&le & ~llleTson ·Streets Pliiladelph ia 11, ~~f{'.

e1t Bromberger, Jr., Carl Grew, Henry vice when they unfurled their insignia Slemmons, Gale foore and many otl11°T inscribed "Siempre Primera." whose names have temporarily slipped your author' mind, have flown over the AUTHOR'S NOTE: Your author has extensive flight patterns of L.A.A. been working on a helicopter cover cat­ Los Angeles Airways started opera­ alog, to be published by the "Jack tions in 1947 with several Sikorsky S- Knight Air Mail Society" in the future. 5ls, a two-place helicopter capable of Over three years of research has thus carrying 745 pounds of mail. Later the far go!le into the assembling of facts and poundage was raised to 100 which in­ price quotations for ,the catalog. The As­ creased the payload and cut opera.ting sistant Editors of this important refer­ costs per letter. L.A.A. is now operating ence work include Jame \i\Totherspoon mainly with Sikorsky S-55s, which carry (who is editing the European section), 8 passengers and an appreciably larger Bill Schneider, John S'ollberger, Val total mail payload than the predecessor White; Gus Lancaster and many others S-.5ls. Belirm believes in the future of too numerous to mention. A complete Sikorsky helicopter developments and ljsting of the Assistant Editors will ap­ plans on adding multi-engined helicop­ pear at a later date Information is still ters when they become available com­ urgently needed about certain unofficial mercially, which should be in flights, test flights of new helicopters, 1957 or 1958. L.A.A. added passenger etc., and your author urgently needs any service in 1955 and also inaugurated the such material or data for his files. If world's first Helicopter Air Express ser­ you feel you have information that could vice recently. ·oe used in helping us complete the cata­ Los Angeles Airways has pioneered log, please write to: Fred Holladay, successful helicopter air service and 3087 LeRoy Street, San Bernardino, through the combined efforts of Clarence California, and if'ryour material is used M. Belinn and his capable group of you will receive credit for same in the workers and pilots, the firm will con­ catalog listing of editors. This promises tinue to progress in this field. L. A. A. to be a monumental work and we all certainly chose the appropriate motto for hope it will be received favoraibly when their whole concept of helicpter air ser- it is issued to the general public. -305- The Keys To The City •'

When you're dealing With "The Department Store of Philately" you surely have the keys to the city! Mention your membership number in the A. A. M. S. and we will get out the old brass band and serenade you!

Seriously, whatever your philatelic interests may be, you will find us anxious to be of real philatelic service. Just a glance at these opportunities may help convince you to get in touch with Long.

Every month ... including THIS very month ... will see hundreds of Aetion In Auctions: choice l6ts including plenty of airmail material offered to mail bidders in our poular Auctions. If you're buying, you will want the current catalog. Ask for it: it's free. If you're interested in selling a fine collection, ask me about the possibilities of getting you top results! Your inquiries are welcomed.

· y If Many collectors like the "approval selections" we make up for them ... S ee F or onrse : includ~ stamps, covers and all branches of philately. Right now w~ have some nice flight material, a very extensive stock of used andrused air stamps of the world and plenty of other unusual material which will be sent you gladly for your inspection and consideration. You will agree that this is an excellent way to build a collection . . . I am sure!

Alwavs glad to hear from old friends and always pleased to ma ke new ones! Just write!

Life r.iiember: 11112 !DA\Rlk\JET STo, AAMS IELMIER Ro LO~G APS HHA\RRHSIBUURG, Jp> A\o SPA

-306- -307- ~~J~ aiq Official Publication of the trtfstilfJ!lll•, \\rb f t'1 @1t1t1fitJtpf~( nAmerican Air Mail Soc~ety, PuJ:>- A~ ').~ ~~~ :>' \!Ji~ ~\j~ hshed monthly at Albion, (Erie ~ WORLD'S LEA~k'\G,.~t~~;fEHJL~;~;1c MAGAZINE ~ Co.), Pennsylvania, u. s. A.

Entered as second-class matter at the Post Office at Albion, Pa. February 10, 1932, under the Act of March 3, 1879 . The AIRPOST JOURNAL is not conducted• for profit. The Editor, Business Manager, and all other editors, feature writers and contributors serve gratis and without compensation of any kind. All receipts from advertising,. subscriptions and contributions are applied directly to the betterment of the magazine and the promotion of aero-philately.

EDITORIAL BOARU GEO. D. KINGDOM, GRACE CONRA'l'H, GEO. W. ANGERS, JOHN J, SMITH ASSOCIA.TE EDITOR - L. B. GATCHELL BUSINESS MANAGER GEORGE D. KINGDOM - Tyler Building, Conneaut, Ohio ASSISTANT EDITOitS ALTON J, BLANK - 1089 Winston Rd., So. Euclid 21, Ohio ROBERT W. MURCH - 718 Locust St., St. Louis, Mo. ERNEST A. KEHR - 230 West 41 Street, New York 18, N. Y. ART EDITOR EDWIN L. HASTRY DEPARTMENT EDITORS R. LEE BLACK - Interrupted Flight Cover News FLORENCE L. KLEINERT - A. A. M. S. Chapter News RICHARD L. SINGLEY - F. A. M. Air Mail Routes WILLIAM R. WARE - Contract Air Mail Routes WILLIAM T. WYNN - Dedication Covers Assistant Editor ALTON J. BLANK also conducts "Airs of the Month Department ASSOCIATE EDITORS FRANCIS J. FIELD F. W. KESSLER DR. MAX KRONSTEIN THOMAS J. O'SULLIVAN JAMES WOTHERSPOON SUBSCRII'TION RATES Anywhere ...... $3.00 per year. Second (duplicate) copy sent to Subscriber's same address, $1.50 per year. Back Numbers, 25c each; Bound Volumes, if in stock, $4.75 per volume. ADVERTISING RATES One Inch, per issue ...... $ 3.00 Front Inside or Back Cover ...... $17.50 Quarter Page, per issue ...... $ 4.50 Composition charge for solid, tabular Half Page, Per issue ...... $ 8.00 or special typographic layouts: lOc to Full Page, per issue ...... $15.00 25c per inch additional. · Interested advertisers may apply for contract rate for space used every issue for a period of 12 months. Advertising and editorial copy MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE 2GTH OF THE MONTH preceding publication date. The right is reserved to refuse any advertising.

THE AIRPOST JOURNAL has been published under the auspices of THE AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY since October, 1931. It has reached its high place of usefulness to the hobby primarily through the genius, industry and devotion of the late WALTER J. CONRATH successively Business Manager and Editor. To his memory are the future issues of the JOURNAL gratefully dedicated.

WHERE TO WRITE Correspondence concerning advertis- Department Editors may be written ing, new and renewal subscriptions, direct at the addresses printed at the back numbers and bound volumes, top of their columns. AU general edi­ address changes and other matters of torial copy and communications on all circulation, business matters of all other matters should be sent to the ~~~~sdi~~~ t~lltii'i1i5~~ifc~Ef~ ;h8&l~e ~Ef personal attention of the Editor at 0 P. 0. Box 37 ALBION, PENN'A CONNEAUT, OHIO

-308- Kingdoni Konin1ents: • -This June issue of The Airpost eration in sending him any news or data Journal is devoted to helicopter stamps which you may secure concerning aero­ and covers and the many fine anticles postal stationery . . . Our sincere con­ were assembled and edited by our able grah1lations to the Honorable Albert J. Secretary-Treasurer, John J. Smith, who Robertson, Assistant Postmaster General is the Editor-of-the-Monl1h. Perry Nahl, in his selection as Mr. :Philately of 1956. James Wotherspoon and Fred Holladay Mr. Robertson has truly been a genuine ably assisted by authoring some splendid friend of the stamp collector and our so­ articles on this very interesting and ciety and many other philatelic organi­ comparatively recent branch of aero­ zations have always received the most philately. Sincere thanks to all of you. courteous of considerations from this . . . Our newly appointed Sales Mana­ public official. We were most happy to ger, Herman Kleinert, is hard at work greet General Robertson as our guest at getting the Sales Department properly the AAMS Jamboree held during FI­ organized to start functioning. Enclosed PEX. . . Our congratulations to Mrs. with this issue of The Airpost Journal is Ethel B. McCoy, Life Member No. 1 of an application blank for the use of the J1he American Air Mail Society upon her members that are interested in the Sales winning the Summerfield Trophy at FI­ Department. The Sales Manager solicits PEX for the best 20th Cenmry United your support ansJ. only, if the members States Postage Stamp collection in the use the Sales Department, can it become show. Lncidentally Mrs. McCoy during a valuable service of the Society. It is FIPEX confided to 1'he writer that she necessary to again emphasize the cau­ is becoming interested in precancels. We tion given by the Sales Manager in his all hope that she will soon again return article appearing elsewhere in this issue, to one of her first loves of collecting -­ that if you are seeking to sell your dup­ air mails . . . if you ever questioned licate material, it must be reasonably whether or not 1'he American Air Mail and realistically priced, and if you are Society was truly international in char­ seeking to buv, let the Sales Manager acter, you would have found the answer know the kind of material which you at the general membership meeting held are seeking. If you will exercise this Sunday afternoon, April 29th at the caution better and more satisfactory re­ Henry Hudson Hotel, for when those at­ sults can be achieved by everyone. . . . tending introduced themselves, we noted We are most happy to welcome a new Sebastiao Amaral of Brazil, Edgar Mohr­ department editor to the pages of The Mann of Germany, Rafael Alexander D Airpost Journal this month. Mr. Sol of San Salvador, Richard Milian, Dr. Whitman has been appointed and ac­ Tomas Terry and Rafael Oriol of Cuba cepted the editorship of the aeropostal ... Earl H. Wellman, AAMS No. 2424- stationery department and his column L-48, was the feature of the AAMS pro­ can be expected to appear regularlv gram during the FIPEX show with his each month. Mr. Whitman is an avid thrilling and beautiful movies of the collector and devotes plenty of time to Cuban International Stamp Exhibition the acquiring of detailed data and in­ at Havana, Cuba, last fall. Equally en­ formation about the various issues. He tertained were the members of the Glen is not a new collector, Airline hostesses, Misses Bullock, A NEW A. A. M. S. Palmer and Kerlin of American Airlines and Miss Boulton of Northwest Orient Air MEMBER .. Lines assisted with the registration. a::i~. greeting of the visitors. Mr. Lewis of TODAY! American Airlines was on hand at varioa; times during the show, to lend a hand with the activities at the lounge. The society appreciates this fine cooperation from the various airline companies . . . NEW ISSUES In connection with the Monaco ExMbit at the National Philatelic Museum ;r OF Philadelphia; Bernard Davis, the Direct- or and a Vice-President of AAMS, had MINT AIRMAIL dispatc

It is with a great deal of pride and •be listed on Sales Department packet pleasure that I have accepted the post lists which are available from me, two of Sales Manager. lists for five cents. Here again, remem­ I sincerely hope, I shall have the ber, almost everyone has the common pleasure of hearing from and serving you. items, however, good material, properly The Sales Department can only be as priced, will sell. successful as we make it. As a part of the Journal this month is I will be glad to hear from you as to an application blank, just fill it out and whether you care to sell or buy or both. mail to me. If you wish to buy, indicate For those wishing to sell air mail on this sheet what type of items. If you stamps, these must be mounted in Sales are an advanced collector, I will be hap­ Department's books which are available py to have a specific want list. I can try from me at twenty cents each. to find some of these elusive items you The stamps which sell best are those need. in the medium price range, and they New material is starting to roll in, and must be priced reasonably. Place your­ I expect that in June, circuits will start self in the position of the buyer, if vou going out. Let's get behind this venture needed the stamp, would you be willing of our society and make it a real success. to pay the price asked. All active members buy material, why Covers are put up in packs and must (Continued on 11age 313) CONTRACT AIR MAIL ROUTES Cat. Net 9E43' Lansing $2.50 .65 R9W44 :to Lansing 2.00 .7S R9E44 to Lansing 2.00 .7S 9E45. W45 Muskegon 1.75 .60 R9W46 Milwaukee 2.00 .7S R9W48, E48 :to Glendive 2.00 .7S R9E49, W49 to Dickinson 2.00 .7S 9W50 Billings 5.00 l.SO 9E52 Spokane 3.00 1.00 9W52 Spokane s.oo I.SD 9E53 Seattle s.oo l.SD 9E54 Missoula 1.50 .60 9W54 Missoula I.SO .60 R9W55 :to Missoula 2.00 .60 R9E55 :to Missoula 2.00 .60 9E56, W56 Wenatchee 3.7S 1.00 9W58 Pon:tiac 3.00 I.DO R9E57 to Pontiac 3.00 I.DO 9E60, W60 Pontiac 4.00 1.80 RW61 :t·o Pontiac 2.00 .60 9NW62, W62 Billings, Missoula 4.00 1.50 9E63, W63 Helena 4.00 I.SD 9NW63£ Billings AMF s.oo l.SO ALBERT N. BROWN 270 TF:HA~A STREET SAN FRANCISCO, 3. CALIF.

-311- Japan And l-lelicopter Mail • by JOHN J. SMITH, AAMS No. 3301 • All the Japanese Helicopter mails children holding covers and helicopter flown to date h.ave ·been flown by U. S. overhead. Kokura used a cachet on mail, Helicopter Rescue . Squadron machines. this showing helicopter. Mail was flown It is very difficult to make out which between all towns. stage is which, on the various flight that In November 1952 a flight was made have taken place, as ·an cancels and from OTSU to NARA. A cachet was used cachets are in Japanese. Some of the on mail, in English and Japanese ... covers flown have a map showing the TO COMMEMORATE U. S. GOOD­ complete route flown but rarely is the WILL HELICOPTER MAIL FLIGHT. stage flown shown on any particular· cov­ On August 28, 1953, a flight was made er or covers. in the Hokuriku District. The route flown was KOMATSU - FUKUI - KAN­ The first helicopter mail flight was to .1\I.A WA TOYAMA KANAZ­ have taken place on February 19, 1952, AWA - KOMATSU. Mail was flown be­ this date would appear as 27-2-19, the tween all the towns. A cancel showing year being given as the 27th. of Hiro­ Bell type helicopter was used at all hito's reign. The flight was postponed to towns, only the name being changed. In the 20th due to a snowstorm. This flight place of backstamp a helicopter cachet was to commemorate the 75 Anniversary was used on arrival of mail, name chang­ of the U.P.U. in Japan, and covers were ed for each town. franked with a special UPU stamp, all cancelled on the day of issue the 19th. The last helicopter mail flight was The cancel was a special commemorative again in the Tokyo district on April 25 one for the U.P.U. Anniversarv, a cachet and 26, 19.55. A helicopter cancel and a showing helicopter over bags ~f mail was cachet in green was used on mail flown. also in use, but this was not used on all Both cancel and cachet show a helicopter the mail that was flown. The route flown over rooftops, and both these were used was TOKYO-AZABU-SHINJUKI-HON­ at all towns, only the name being chang­ JO-CHIBA-TSUCHIURA - OHMIYA - ed for each town. Ten sets of complete HACHIO - YOKOHAMA - KAWASAKI covers were flown, these covers showing - TOKYO. Mail was only flown from maps of routes flown, on both days Tokyo to each town above and on round flights. Cachets and cancels were similar trip TOKYO-TOKYO. for both days. On the 25th the route was: TOKYO - YOKOHAMA - CHIBA - MI­ The next flight was on August 7, 1952 ( 27-8-7) in connection with the opening TO - TKYO. On the 26th: TOKYO - of a Peace Mail Box in front of Hiro­ UTSUNOMIYA - MAEBASHI - URA­ shima Station. This was the 7th Anni­ W A - KOFU - TOKYO. Mail was flown versary of the dropping of the A bomb. between each of these towns. All these The flight route was KOKURA - HIRO­ SHIMA - KURE - IWAKUNI - YAMA­ flights were carried out by U. S. military GUCHI. Mail was flown between all helicopters. Reports have it that the these towns. At Hiroshima a special can­ Japanese are now building helicopters cel was used on mail. This shows a heli- themselves so we can look forward to copter over the Peace Mail Box, a cachet more interesting covers from Japan in was also used on flown .mail showing the near future. -312-- ONE OF JAPAN'S ATTRACTIVE HELICOPTER FLIGHT COVERS FROM JOHN J. SMITH COLLECTION

SALES MANAGER SAYS --- (Continued fr7m page 311) DID YOU READ THE • ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE not get it through your sales department. At the same time, dispose of those good NEW SALES MANAGER? duplicates you have been holding, by giving someone else the opportunity _Jo get them. if not, turn to page 311.

If further information is desired, please write me - return postage appreciated. If you are interested 1n Thank you. buying or selling air mail 1956 PRICE & CHECK LIST OF FOREIGN USED AIRMAILS. stamps or covers, write to- Now available for 50c which SOc is deductible from the first order of $5. It lists and prices thousands of air­ day to . ·... mails from all countries and colonies. NO FREE LISTS SO PLEASE DON'T·- ASK HERMAN KLEINERT GEORGE HERZOG, INC. A. 213 Virginia Ave. 68 Nassau Street Fullerton 31, Penna New York City 38

-3~3- • hv SOL WHITMAN 1462 Taylor Ave., Bronx 60, N. Y . • Beginning with this issue, Aero Postal NIGERIA Stationery Notes will contain everything in reference to Aerogrammes and Air Another new sheet of the 6 pence Ife Letters. In order to make this column bronze has recently appeared. The stamp interesting, complete, and up to date, is the same as in previous issues but the your cooperation will be greatly apprec­ mailing instructions are on the back in iated. Mention will be made of all per­ two lines. "An airletter should not con­ sons contributing New Issues and mater­ tain any enclosure - If it does it will be ial for use in this column. All items will surcharged or sent by ordinary mail." be returned to their senders after they Lines for senders name and address on have been examined. the back are arranged horizontally.

Aerogrammes will be discussed in NORWAY three phases. 1. The past - New discov­ eries of unlisted items, new varieties and A new sheet with the increased rate errors. 2. The present - Containing all of 65 Ore has made its appearance. The new issues that have appeared. 3. The same as # 12:LS with sealing flap on the future - From time to time I will men­ bottom. tion aerogrammes that have been pro­ posed and are in the making but will be THAILAND issued at a later date. This sheet has recently been issued with Printed Aerogramme underneath the VATICAN CITY Air Letter at the upper right corner of The 80 Lire· blue # 5LS issued on sheet. September 9th, 1952 has been seen with­ out any overlay on the reverse ZANZIBAR

BURMA With a slight departure from the for­ mer type of sheets, Zanzibar has issued The current .50 P aerogramme of Bur­ a new 20c sheet. The words By Air Mail ma has been noted in two varieties which - Aerogramme - Air Letter, are printed will be of special interest to the students at the upper left in three lines. On the of this phase of aero-philately. A sheet back of the sheet are mailing insliruc­ with light blue printing is found water­ tions. marked "A", wereas the sheet water­ During the recent FIPEX Show I had marked "B" has dark blue printing. the opportunity to speak to Mr. Newman who was in charge of the De la Rue Ex­ DENMARK hibits. Mr. Newman told me that his A new type of :If= 11LS has been noted company, De .la Rue, has been printing from this Scandinavian Country with the aerogrammes for some of the colonies of numeral "13" in the lower left corner. the British Empire. -314- ARAB POST AL UNION The Arab Postal Conference held in Bagdad at the beginning of March, 1956 passed several resolutions that were of special interest to collectors. One such resolution calls for the improvement of postal services between the seven Arab States of the Arab Postal Union and the reduction of postal costs between them. Dedication Covers ... Another resolution calls for the mem­ By WILLIAM T. WYNN ber states to establish aergrammes simil­ 13537 Rockdale, Defroif 23, Mich. . ar to those issued by the United States. These aerogrammes would probably be • valid only for use within the A. P. U., A rededication was held at the whereas Jordan, a member state is pre­ Cleveland-Hopkins airport on April 28- sently using air letters valid for any­ 29 with cachet by the airlines serving where in the world. Cleveland. 'Jlhere were 2123 covers mailed on 28th and 941 on the 29th. . . . AUSTRALIA Mr. Howe of United Airlines helped us with a very fine job ... .A!beline, Texas Australia is planning to issue a com­ AFB dedicated on April 14; covers were memorative sheet during the Olympics mailed wi.th a printed cachet, some have to he held in November. It will be a 10 a Chamber of Commerce inscription. . . . pence denomination. Downey Airport will dedicate on May 12, too late to help our readers, but those who had cards with .the editor of this column should have received notice in AAMS Officers and time to cover the event. . . The Albany, Ky. event that has had so much talk and Executive Board are very little proof so far is still not clear but this we know; the official opening considering a Regional was held on Nov. 6 and there were cov­ ers mailed. . . Kelly AFB held dedica­ Meeting in St. Louis tion on March 16, and 19 covers were mailed; they are postmarked Kelly AFB on Saturday and Sunday, and San Antonio, Tex. This should be a very hard-to-get event and those who September 8th and 9th. were in it were very lucky. If any of our readers miss an event the editor of this column maybe can help as often he knows of some collector who may .have If you are interested in some dups of the event. .. There should attending such a meeting, be a lot of dedications coming this sum­ mer; won't you be so kind as to notify drop a line, now, to your editor so that all may cover the event? Robert W. Murch • 718 Locust St. JOIN St. Louis, Mo. THE A. A. M. S. -315- Fl PEX --- B. E. A. -- Helicopter Unit -- ·(Continued from page 295) (Continued from page 302) • • THE U. P. U. AND U. N. ROOM AT service and, for the first time it was an FIPEX •.• all-British enterprise in that British Ber~rd Davis, Vice-President ·of the Bristol l 7l's were used. These two-mo­ AAMS was in charge of the special .room tored helicopters fly between Southamp­ devoted to Universal Postal Union and ton Airport and two London airports, at United Nations material and as always, Northolt and London. In 1955, B .. E. A. Mr. Davis again displayed his artistry in introduced another· service between Lon­ the presentation of this interesting mater­ don airport and the South Bank site. The ial. helicopters employed on this project were Westland Sikorsky S-55's. Fitted with amphibious landing gear, they cover a DR; SNELLER'S PHIL.ATELIC course above ·the Thames ·River in· their PERSONALITIES ... movements between the South Bank site Attracting wide attention was the and the London Airport. large collection of photos picturing many This is the story of the B. E. A •. heli- of · the leading philatelic personalities of . copter flight Unit's activities to date. the world as caught by the camera of Many more· new· developments are plan­ Dr.. Sneller. ned for the months and years to come. B. E. A. is to be congratulated for their FACTS AND FIGURES pioneering spirit in helicopter mail and 268,000 persons attended the nine day passenger service. FIPEX show . . . total FIPEX postal station sale amounted to $172,700.04 ... of the llc souvenir sheet, 318,750 sheets were sold and 124,659 covers cancelled JOIN.· ~t the FIPEX station . . . of the 3c THE. FIPEX commemorative stamp 434,623 stamps were sold and 152,740 covers AMERICAN AIR MAIL cancelled at the FIPEX station . . . of the 6c air mail stamped envelope, 77 ,000 SOCIETY en\'elopes sold and 75,500 covers can­ celled at the FIPEX station ... of the 2c postal card, 290,000 cards sold. and 188,- 926 cards cancelled at the FIPEX sta­ SUMMER TIME AND tion. These figures do not include pur­ chases and mailings at other New York VACATIONS ARE offices . . . interesting to note that 2395 HERE .. copies of the new U. S. Book of Postage Stamps were sold at the FIPEX postal station. DRIVE CAREFULLY The officials in charge ·of FIPEX can ON THE HIGHWAYS. well be proud of the fruits of their ef­ forts, and this exhibition will go down in THE LIFE YOU SAVE the annals of philatelic history as the MAY BE YOUR OWN! greatest philatelic exhibition ever staged in the world. -316- SOME RECENT FOREIGN AIR MAIL ST AMPS SUBMITTED FOR

ILLUSTRATION THRU THE COURTESY OF F. W. KESSLER

STOP - :LISTEN - LOOK GET A NEW 75% OFF SCOTT CATALOG Airmails And Regular Postage Stamps MEMBER! Mint - Used Singles Short And Complet e Sets, Also On Cover When Available. HELP YOURSELF Full Details For A Jc Stamp. BY HELPING HARRY REICHENTHAL, ESQ. ·ilS'~, YOUR t."tD& P. O. Box 73-F New York 60, N. Y. SOCIETY! Each New Member Strengthens The Soicety And Increases The Benefits To Each Individual Member!

-317- COVER C. A. M. NOTES • by WILLIAM R. WARE P. 0. Box 595 Malden, Mo.

Ozark Air Lines, Inc., continue to ex­ However, such mail was postmarked at pand. The latest addition to AM Route 3:30 AM and is thought to number about # 107 flown by Ozark is a new segment 200 pieces. This flight stopped at Wash­ designated as Segment #9 which auth­ ington and picked up 160 pieces of mail orizes service between Chicago, Illinois from the Washington, D. C. post office and Des Moines, Iowa via Peoria, Illin­ postmarked at 5:30 AM and only 19 ois, Burlington and Ottumwa, Iowa. The pieces from Washington National Air­ amended certificate which authorizes port station postmarked at the same service on this new segment of Route hour. Mail from this flight generally bears # 107 is effective on June 17, 1956 and a New York City backstamp of 10:30 Ozark advises that they expect to be AM, February 1, 1956. ready to start service by that time. The inaugural Southbound flight from CHRONICLE - Newark Airport was made via Flight AM ROUTE # 24 - EXTENSION #725 leaving Newark at 8:55 AM which ATLANTA, GA., TO NEWARK-NEW flight was flown by Capt. Eugene Flet­ YORK CITY. Using Newark Airport as cher and First Officer Alan Olson and handled 885 pieces of mail from New the Northern terminal, AM Route # 24 flown bv Delta Air Lines was extended York City General Post Office which was from Atlanta to Newark-New York via postmarked 2 AM; 58 pieces from New­ Washington, D. C. on February 1, 1956. ark postmarked 7 AM and 164 pieces Although Delta Air Lines gave this new born Newark AMF postmarked 8:30 AM. service considerable publicity in advance This flight picked up at Washington, D. C., 735 pieces of mail.postmarked at 10 of the inaugural flights which permitted this carrier to tap the New York traffic AM and 20 pieces from Washington Na­ potential as well as several other Eastern tional Airport station which was also postmarked at 10 AM. Mail from this cities, the Post Office Department fur­ nished no advance notice of this service flight when addressed to Atlanta was backstamped at 3:30 PM, February 1, and did not award an official marking or cachet for the mail flown on the in­ 1956 and can thus be identified. augural flights of this service. This re­ Delta Air Lines furnished a cachet sulted in covers from some points being which was applied to most of the mail common due to the heavy mailing by flown on the inaugural flights of this Delta of a large number of collectors' service and while hot official will assist covers at certain points while covers from in identifying the mail from this service. other offices are comparatively scarce. AM ROUTE #9 EXTENSION The inaugural Northbound flight of DALLAS TO NEW YORK-NEWARK. this service out of Atlanta was made via Effective February 15, 1956, this route, Flight #76, departing Atlanta at 3:30 flown by Braniff Airways, Inc., was ex­ AM on February 1st. This flight was in tended from Dallas to New York-New­ charge of Capt. Floyd F. Hoyt and First ark (using Newark Airport) via Nash­ Officer B. C. Gordon and handled ap­ ville, Tenn., and Washington, D. C. proximately 1200 pieces of mail from The initial Eastbound flight from .Atlanta AMF postmarked 3 AM. No Dallas to New York was made via Flight .record was made of the number of pieces # 542 which was scheduled to leave of mail from the Atlanta post office. Dallas at 11:59 PM on Febru~ry 14th. -318- In view of the fact that the scheduled PM, Feb. 15th; Nashville AMF East­ leaving time of this flight was one min­ bound 6 PM, Feb. 15th; Dallas East­ ute before Febraury 15th, Dallas did not bound 7 AM, Feb. 15th; and Dallas ·dispatch via this flight. However, this AMF Eastbound 8:30 AM, Feb. 15th. flight, in charge of Capt. M. G. Safrit Number of pieces of mail flown were .and First Officer Deanjl picked up the as follows: Dallas 8499 pieces which rep­ first Eastbound mail at Washington. resented mostly commercial mail with Flight #2 leaving Dallas at 8:45 AM, collector mail t11ought to be approxim­ February 15th, was the next Eastbound ately 7,5 pieces. No record or count was flight over this extension and although made at Dallas AMF although the coll­ this flights which was flown by Capt. M. ector mail was thought to be approxim­ W. Sellmeyer and First Officer John R. ately 75 pieces. Nashvile 72 pcs. East­ Olson was not scheduled to stop at eith­ bound and 74 pieces Westbound, Nash­ er Nashville or Washington, it did handle ville AMF estimated at 40 pcs. West­ the first Eastbound mail from Dallas and bound and 60 pcs. Eastbound, Washing­ Dallas AMF. The Eastbound inaugural ton, D. C. 46 pcs. Westbound and 57 service was completed by Flight #4 pcs. Eastbound, Washington Airport sta­ leaving Dallas at 4 PM which flight was tion 106 pcs. Westbound ·and 76 pieces in charge of Capt. Nichola,s A. Lauren­ Eastbound, New York City 16,300 pcs. zana and First Officer Ellsworth E. Mc­ which again represented mostly commer­ Roberts and handled the Eastbound mail cial mail, Newark 83 pcs. and Newark from Nashville, Tenn. AMF 204 pcs. The initial Westbound flight from Newark was made via Flight #543 leav­ ing Newark at l' AM on February 15th and was flown by Capt. R. 0. Mitten­ ARE YOU A BOOSTER dorf and First Officer A. L. ·Schneider. However, this flight was not scheduled to stop at Nashville and as such handled OR JUST A MEMBER? only mail from Newark, New York, New­ ark AMF and Washington, D. C. Flight #3 leaving Newark at 5 PM was the first Westbound flight scheduled to stop YOUR COLLECTOR at Nashville. This flight was in charge of Capt. Joel G. Pitts and First Officer Kenneth M. Spangler and picked up the FRIENDS WILL ENJOY first \'Vestbound mail out of Nashville via this route, completing inaugural ser­ MEMBERSHIP IN THE vice.

No official cachets were provided for AMERICAN AIR MAIL mail flown on the inaugural flights of this servce. Therefore for proper iden­ SOCIETY THE SAME tification, hours of cancellation are es­ sential which are as follows: New York 7 PM, Feb. 14th; Newark 10 PM, Feb. AS YOU DO 14th; Newark AMF, 12:30 AM, Feb. 15th; Washington National Airport sta­ tion Westbound, 2 AM, Feb.; Washing­ ENROLL A NEW MEMBER ton, D. C., same. Washington, D. C. and Airport station Eastbound both 5 AM, NOW ... DON'T DELAY! Feb. 15th; Nashville Westbound 7 PM, Feb. 15th; Nashville AMF Westbound 8 PM, Feb. 15th; Nashville Eastbound 5 -319- PRESIDENT RAFAEL ORIOL Merced 307 Habana, Cuba EXECUTIVE BOARD (Former Presidents) HARRY A. TRUBY GEORGE D. KlNGDoll GEORGE w. ANGERS M. 0. WARNS L. B. G.... TCHELL GnACE CONRATH WILLIAM R. ALLEY JESSE G. JoHNSON RICHARD L. SINGLEl JonN P. V. HEINMULLED

VICE-PRESIDENTS BERNAHD DAVIS ROBERT W. MuncH FLOHENCE L. KLEINEHT PEHHAM c. NAHL A Non-Profit <.:orporation SECRETARY-TREASURER Under thP Laws of Ohio JOHN J. SMITH Organized 1923 Ferndale & Emerson Sts. Incorporated 1944 Philadelphia 11, Pa.

OFFIClAL PUBl.ICATIO~ DIRECTORS EUITOR OF THE AmPosT JoURNAL Term Expires 1959 PUBLICATIONS Published monthly and sent to L. B. GATCHELL ALTON J. BLANK all members in good standi-ng. 6 The Fairway Ohio Upper Montclair. N. J.

LOUISE S. HOFFMAN New York EX<.:HANGE DEPARTMENT ATTORNEY Each member is entitled to · G1mnGE D. KINGDOM two 25-word Exchange Notices ERNEST A. KEHR per year in the Official Publica­ New York tion, ·without charge. Address direct to the publication offict Dn. SOUTHGATE LEIGH CHAPTER CHAIRMAN at Albion, Penn'a. Virginia FLORENCE L. KLEINERT

Term Expires 1957 ADVANCE BULLETIN SERVICE GERALD BooKHOP GRACE CONRATH DIRECTOR OF New York Manai:er FOREIGN RELATIONS The Airpost ,Journal, Albion, SAMUEL s. GOLDSTICKER Penn'a. DR. MAx KnoNSTEIN New Jersey The Advance Bulletin is sent regularly by the manager only LESTER S. MANNING to those members who are in· VIBGINIA AUCTIO'.IJ MANAGER good standing and provide a supply of self-addressed regula- JAMES Wo'l'HERSPOON SAMUEL S. GoLoSTICKEB tion Government Postal Cards. Great Britain 70-D Fremont St. Bloomfield, N. J.

llEMBERSHIP DUES S3.00 PER YEAR Dues include subscription to THE AIRPOST JOURNAL Applicants must furnish two references, philatelic preferred. At least one of these reference• must reside in Applicant's home town. Applicants under 21 years of age mun be guaranteed by Parent or Guardian. Membership ls a privtlege - not a right - and may be terminated by the Society in accordance with itl By-Law1. WRITE SECRETARY-TREASURER FOR APPLICATION BLANK -320- SEt:;RETARY'S REPORT • NEW MEMBERS 4267 Ritter, George, Box 8155, Tampa 4, Fla. 4268 Shanks, Edward C., 7200 Boulevard East, North Bergen, N. J. 4269 Filippi, Bernard P., 3036 Abell Avenue, Baltimore 18, Md. 4270 Duncan, Ralph E., 430 N. Jackson Street, Springfield, Ohio.

REINSTATEMENTS 3854 Capaldi, John J., 6261 Limekiln Pike, Philadelphia 41; Pa. 2289 Johnson, D. William, 1810 Dalwood Street, Grand Rapids 9, Mich.

NEW APPLICATIONS Adelmann, Milton, 30 West 32nd Street, New York 1, N. Y. Age 47. Salesman. AM AU U30 UC PC HC FF OF DC Z 1D by John J. Smiith. Kallir, Otto, 46 W. 57th .Street, New York 19, N. Y. Age 61. Art Dealer. PC RC PA OF PIX EX by Grace Conrath. Davis, David H., Box 475, Savannah, Ga. Age 53. Office Work. Western Jiemisphere, AU SC by John J. Smith. Lesnick, Raymond, 216 W. 89 Street, New York 24, N. Y. Age 32. Engineer. AM by John J. Smith. Cohen, Fred, 1210 W. Roosevelt Road, Chicago 8, Ill. Age 18. Office Boy. by John J. Smith. Montalto, V. A., Box 54, New Church, Va. Age 35. Stamp Dealer. . · All Aerophilatelic Material by Grace Conrath~ Ruch, Fred T., 1021 N. 19th Street, Allentown, Pa. Age 63. Clerk. U20 UC PC Z ID EX by Florence Kleinert. Moloney, John A., Jr., 19 Kendall Street, Brookline 46, Mass. Age 56. Agent. CAM FAM ID by S. S, Goldsticker, Jr. Turgeon, Henry E., 28 Harbour Terrace, Edgewood, R. I. Age 41. Builder. AM AU APS EX by S. S. Goldsticker, Jr. Goronin, Abraham, 412 Schenck Ave., Brooklyn 7, N. Y. Age 34. Engineer. FAM OF by G. F. Lancaster.

CHANGES OF ADDRESS Argent, ivy, 20 Whittier St., NW, Washington, D. C. Beauregard, Burton P., Rt. 10, Box 443, Louisville 18, Ky. Kost, Michael, 92 Sheridan Ave., Paterson, N. J. Smith, Oliver W. R., Fundy Gift & Souvenir Shop, Fundy Nat'l Park, N. B., Canada. Jamick, Jerome C., 3706A West Orchard, Milwaukee, Wis. O'Neill, W. P., Jr., c-o W. Slutter, 40 Euston Road, Garden City, N. Y. Herget, Frank, Box 2, Buffalo 15, N. Y. -321- AAMS EXCHANGE DEPARTMENT APJ ADS BUY SELL WANT LISTS RATES: THREE CENTS PER WORD per in­ WANTED BRITISH EMPIRE AIR sertion Minimum charge 50 cents. Re­ stamps mint and used, official and semi­ mittance must accompany order and copy. official. Pigeons, Rockets, Balloons. Ex­ The AIRPOST JOURNAL, APJ Ads, Al­ change. Your "wants". R. Dalwick, Dix­ bion, Penn'a. holme, Churt, England. Ex313-2t FOR SALE: 19TH CENT. BALLOON EN­ GIVE IN TRADE BEST AIRSTAMPS --­ GRAVINGS, Ascension Posters; Balloon wanting rare Mexico. Mrs. Gilda Rivero, Mail; early Zeppelin Mail: Pioneers: 37-541 Lv'.ierida (Yue.), Mexico. Ex313-3t Semi-Official Airs (Scadta, Canada, Ger­ many, Swiss, etc.); Modern Flights and Stamps; Crash Covers; Arctica, Antarc­ WILL SWAP UNITED NATIONS SHEETS tica; Rocket Mail and Stamps; Autographs. First Day Covers for sets of First Fif­ Early manuscript letters of Count Zeppe­ teen United Nations F. D. C. Dolan, 31 lin. Non-Air Postal History Items. Bel­ Park Row, New York City 38, N. Y. Exlt ham Exchange, Box 119, Ridgewood 27, N. J. 309-6t* HAVE APO, NAVAL, CAM, FAM, DEDI­ USED AIRMAILS AND ON COVERS - CATIONS, Pilot Autographs, Stamps . to Price list for postage only. Captain Will­ trade. What do you offer? Herman Klem­ iam H. Peters, Interlachen, Florida. ert, 213 Virginia, Fullerton, Pa. Ex-lt 305-12t* FINE US, FOREIGN AND DUPLICATE CHARLES .T. MOLNAR, 1246 SUMMIT airmails to exchange for airs needed. Drive, Cleveland 24. Ohio, has issued an Write for details. Arthur R. Campbell, illustrated price list of Allied Propagan­ 18640 Prairie, Detroit 21, Mich. Ex-lt da Leaflets of World \Yar II listing some 800 items in 11 languages. It's a useful guide to the leaflets dropped for propa­ I NEED PRECANCELS - LOCALS -- NO ganda from aircraft during the war and Bureaus -- what do vou need. Martin is available for $1 which is deductible M. Held, Box 14037 Eii.canto Station, San from a S5 order. 304-12t* Diego 14, California. Ex-lt

AAMS EXCHANGE ADS NEED POSTAL CENTENARY FIRST days prior 1953; Eisenhower cancels, cach­ ROCKET STAMPS AND COVERS AND ets. George Patterson, 68 Doherty Dr., British SO's offered for S. 0. air stamps Clifton, N. J. Ex-lt Canada, Swiss, · Germany, Denmark, and early British pioneers. Dalwick, Dixholme, Churt, England. Ex-lt WANTED - GENUINE FLOWN ROCKET cards or covers, exchange, or trade for WANTED - FOREIGN COVER COLLEC­ first days, C. A. M. or F. A. M. covers. TIONS. Have Airmail covers or will pur­ Anton Hobling, 1725 Putnam Ave., Brook­ chase for cash. Write - don't send cov­ lyn 27, N. Y., U.S.A. , Ex312-8t ers. "'alter Brooke, Boyertown, Pa. Ex314-2t OFFERING PHILIPPINE stamps and oth­ ILLINOIS PIONEER COVERS WANTED er Far East countries for commemorative ·- Have fme Zepps, First Days, Trans­ coins of the world. John D. Young, P. 0. oceanic, Historical, etc. for exchange. E. Box 233, Cebu City, Philippines. Ex-lt L. Beadles, Ashland, Illinois. Ex-lt WANTED - FIRST DAY COVERS WITH WANTED -· EARLY FIRST DAYS - Artcraft cachet only of the following -­ blorks only. Will trade CAMs or FAMs No United States --- Rotaries, Coronation, for them. Also need British Asia stamps. U. P. U., Canadian, European, Foreign What do you need 0 Walter Manasse, 1900 U. N., etc. Send price list to Jack Shaber, Albemarle Road, Brooklyn, N. Y. Ex314-3t 269 East 86 St., Brooklyn 36, N. Y. Ex-lt

WANTED: UNITED STATES AND FOR­ TURKEY, MIDDLE EAST AND LEV ANT · EIGN covers, quantities common foreign Offices e:xchanged for U. S. commemora­ stamps. Will return United States Com­ tive or regular issues prior 1920. Basis memoratives, Australian pictorials, gen­ Scott's. James D. Scott, P. 0. Box 3951, eral foreign, worldwide airmails. Doctor Beirut, Lebanon. Ex-lt Feinerman. Macomb, Illinois. Ex314-2t EXCHANGE LUFTHANSA AND ZEPPE­ WANTED - EXCHANGE NEW ISSUES LINS from many stages wanted FF USA worldwide, mint or used in complete sets to Germany and Helicopter mail. Kurt - postage, airmails, semi-postals. John Dahmann, Konstanzerstr. 9, Berlin-Wil­ D. Young, P. 0. Box 233, Cebu City, Phil­ mersdorI, West Berlin. Ex-lt jppines. Ex-lt EXCHANGE NEW LUFTHANSA FLIGHTS WANT TO BUY WESTERN COVERS OF from many stages. Wanted: FF USA to all types prior to 1890. (West of the Rock­ Germany and Helicopter and Antarctic ies). Vlill buy or trade for what you need. covers. Kurt Dahmann, Konstanzerstr. 9, Nyal W. Anderson, 68 S. W. Temple, Salt Berlin-Wilmersdorf, West Berlin. Ex-lt Lake Ciiy, Uta'h. Ex-lt U. S. SINGLE AND BLOCK F. D. C. EX­ WANTED - LATIN AMERICAN AIR CHANGE for FAM and Foreign F. D. C. stationery and envelopes mint, 1st Day and CAM: Robin Halpert, Providence, or used. Will pay cash. Harold S. Riley, R. I. Ex-lt 1600 Emory St., Asbury Park, N. J. Exlt -322- STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES U. S. POSSESSIONS and BRITISH NORTH AMERICA Most widely-used U. S. Catalog in the world, STAMPS OF THE UNITED STATES is com­ piled by specialists of America's largest stamp firm . The completely revised 1956 edition con­ tains 144 pages w i th 1497 beautifully clear illus~rat:ons. Listing last-minute prices, this valuable guide includes all major U. S. Postage and Airmail varieties, Special Delivery, Special Handling. P arcel P ost, Officials, Postage Due, Envelope Squares, P ostal Cards, etc .. .. specialties such as mint blocks, perforated coils, booklet panes, first d ay covers and others . . . Confederate States, complete U. S. P ossessions and British North America . .lldded :lea.tWie: This catalog is a must for every collector as a reliable reference book and source of supply U. S. ST AMP IDENTIFIER for desirable issues at economical prices. A complete 12-page, illustrated New 1956 Edition .. 25c book. Shows the difference be­ tween rare and common look­ alilte stamps. Use it to check H. E. HARRIS & CO. your collection for valuable hid­ den treasures! Boston 17, Mass.

Polar Covers AIR POST 55/ 56 Byrd Exped.. Historic 1st Fl. 2500 Miles over Ice Wastes, So. Pole-N. Z. $15.00 Russia: 1, 2, R. "No. P ole- Mos­ 1s often extensively rep­ cow 1955', reg. iF. F. fr. Floating North Pole P . 0: resented 1n our auctions. No. 4, w. Expedition pmk., rare stamps. $11.75 \Vatch for future announce­ Russia: Set 3 Scientific Exp. ments and write for catal­ Polar stps. reg. flown fr. Drifting No. P ole Sta. ogues. No. 5 ...... $5 .50 1954-First Flight SAS Scandin­ dinavia-Los. Ang. over No. Pole set of 4 from Denm., Swed., Norway, Grcenld., H. R. HARMER, Inc. 4 covers spec...... $2.00 Internat-innal Stamp Auctioneers Send lOc f. list other P olar items. BELHAM EXCHANGE 6 West 48th Street Box 119 Ridgewood 27, N. Y. NEW YORK 36, N. Y. Rare Covers of E very Type For over 25 years. Sta1nps fo1• Sale?? •~

WE CAN BE OF SERVICE TO YOU ! ! IRWIN HEIMAN

For more than a quarter of a Century. COLLECTORS. DEALERS. TRCST CO:UP.-L\IES am1 EXECUTORS OF EST.\TES haYe con~nlted ns rf-'ganlin:z th e <'OllYf-'r~ion of Pbilatelil' Prnpertieo into cash. IF YOU WANT TO S~LL AT PUBLIC AUCTION ... we ca1: offer early date• and atlractfre term~. Expert supcrvi,;­ ion of ,i[] material by an experienced Philatelic Auctioneer. Liberal arh-ance~ pen1ling ~ale. Comprehen,;ive in~nrance and Holmt"' Electric Protection safeguardE your propprty whilc in our po·,e~,;ion . Our Catalog rlistribution is world-wide. OUR PRIVATE SALES SERVICE . .. ~ucce,~fnlly place~ Collections. Stock~ an

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