INVERTED JENNY C-3

 

On May 14, 1918, stamp collector William Robey discovered the world’s most famous stamp – the Inverted Jenny.

America’s first airmail stamp (US #C3) was rushed.  Engraving started May 4 and the stamps were printed just three days before release.  Because they were bi-colored, the sheets were printed twice, starting with the red frame.  Then, the stamp sheets were set aside to dry and later printed with the blue plate showing the airplane.  A single sheet made its way to the New York Avenue post office branch in Washington, DC.

An original 1918 Inverted Jenny

On May 14, 1918, 29-year-old Robey withdrew $30 from his bank account – a figure equal to more than $1,500 in today’s wages – to purchase a full sheet of the new stamps.  When the unknowing clerk placed the sheet of inverted stamps on the counter, Robey said his “heart stood still

SCOTT #C-3 CURTISS JENNY 24 CENT

 

On May 13th, 1918, just two days after President Woodrow Wilson signed an act allowing mail to be carried by airplane, the US Post Office Department released the world’s first airmail stamp.  To highlight the importance of the occasion – and to help postmasters differentiate the new stamp from regular issues – a bi-color design was created.  Two-color stamps were uncommon at the time.

The stamp was designed by Clair Aubrey Huston at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  Huston had trouble finding a photograph of the plane to model for the stamp’s design, as only 6 Curtiss Jenny planes in the world had been specially modified to carry mail.  In a stroke of luck, the very plane engraved onto the stamp (Jenny #38262) was chosen for the inaugural airmail flight!

US #C3 First U.S. Airmail Stamp 1918 24¢ Curtiss Jenny

 

The world’s first-ever Transcontinental Railroad was completed in Promontory Summit, Utah, 154 years ago today!  The amazing railroad marked an exciting time in our nation’s history.  That’s why it’s been the subject on several US stamps including the classic 1869 Pictorials…

US #5378-80

THE ONLY PRESIDENT TO SERVE AS POSTMASTER

On May 7, 1833, Abraham Lincoln became the postmaster of New Salem, Illinois.  He was just 24 years old at the time and held the post for three years (the post office closed May 30, 1836).  In exchange for his work, Lincoln received a small salary plus the privilege of sending and receiving letters for free.  He was also delivered a free local newspaper each day.

US #77  the First U.S. Abraham Lincoln Stamp First Abraham Lincoln stamp and first US mourning stamp, issued a year after he died.