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November 23rd 2010. 75th Anniversary of the First Trans-Pacific Airmail Flight.
Two stamps and a minisheet were issued on November 23rd 2010 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the the first Trans-Pacific airmail flight.
In front of 25,000 spectators, the first Trans-Pacific air mail flight lifted off from Alameda, near San Francisco, California on November 22nd 1935. The flight was operated by Pan American Airways using a Martin M-130 flying boat, christened the “China Clipper”. The chief pilot was Captain Edwin Musick, and with him were seven crew members. Also, on board were 58 mail bags containing over 110,000 letters (see an example on the FDC for this issue).
From Alameda, the flight proceeded to Honolulu, the longest leg of the trip, and arrived there the next day. From Hawai’i, it flew to Midway Island, Wake Island, Guam and finally, Manila in the Philippines. The total flight time was 59 hours, with four stops. For the next 8 years, the “China Clipper” flew 2.8 million miles over the Pacific, carrying 3,500 passengers and 750,000 lbs of air freight. A remarkable aviation achievement.
The $6 stamp (above left) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows the special 25c airmail stamp issued by the U.S. Post Office in 1935, specifically for this flight. Also depicted is the Pan American Airways logo of the time.
The $9 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows a Pan American Airways Martin M-130 "China Clipper" flying boat which was used on this route.
The $9 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It depicts the loading of mail bags onto the historic Pan American Airways flight before it took off from Alameda, California for Hawai'i' on November 22nd 1935. The chief pilot, Captain Edwin Musick is shown on the top of the steps leading to the plane's entrance.
The special postmark for this issue depicts the front of the "China Clipper" flying boat.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps:
Colors: Multicolored
Size: Individual Stamp - 47mm x 31mm. Minisheet - 50mm x 58mm.
Stamp sheet size: 30 (5 across, 6 down)
Perforation: Perf 12. Minisheet - imperf.
Stamps design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2010 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
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For details on upcoming stamp issues click here