On November 22, 1935, the China Clipper took flight from San Francisco. It was the first-ever plane to carry airmail across the Pacific. The huge seaplane landed in Manila a week later, completing its 8,000-mile journey across the world’s largest ocean. And it delivered more than 110,000 pieces of mail.
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US #C22 |
1937 U.S. 50¢ Transpacific, Carmine |
The Third Bureau Issue, commonly called the “Washington-Franklins,” was issued in 1908. It’s the result of the heaps of complaints made about the Second Bureau Issue… Collectors, postal clerks, customers, art critics – even the press – didn’t like the stamps! The ornate stamps were considered too fussy, with questionable designs, like nude figures on the 1¢ Franklin. The US Post Office was up for the change.
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US #332 |
1908 U.S. 2¢ Washington |
In 1902, the Series of 1902-03 replaced the outdated regular issues that were currently used. Among this new series was #301, the 2¢ Washington “flag” stamp. Collectors and experts were excited for the release when its design was first shown. A New York newspaper even called it “the finest stamp ever produced.” The original proofs were printed on quality paper in black ink, so the stamp design was beautiful and crisp. But the actual stamps were printed on softer stamp paper in red ink, and the result was disappointing. Many felt the overall design was too crowed and the portrait didn’t resemble Washington.
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