Handstamp for First Commercial Contract Air Mail, February 15, 1926

01

Artifact Overview

When regularly scheduled air mail service began in 1918, the United States Post Office operated the various routes itself. These flights were intended to prove the safety and reliability of air service, and ultimately to encourage private contractors to take over the operations. Henry Ford was an early contract bidder and, in January 1926, he was awarded the Detroit-Chicago route.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Rubber stamp

Date Made

1926

Subject Date

15 February 1926

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

00.1510.178

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. From the Estate of Henry and Clara Ford.

Material

Rubber (Material)

Color

Black (Color)

Dimensions

Height: 3.625 in
Diameter: 2 in

Inscriptions

on handle: FRONT on bottom of stamp, in reverse: FIRST FLIGHT INAUGURATING CONTRACT AIR MAIL SERVICE IN U.S./ DEARBORN MICH. 10 A.M FEB 15 1926/ CHICAGO DETROIT CLEVELAND
Handstamp for First Commercial Contract Air Mail, February 15, 1926