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

THF165507 / Handstamp for First Commercial Contract Air Mail, February 15, 1926
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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
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    Mailing Envelope used on the First Contract Air Mail Flight (CAM-6) from Detroit to Cleveland, February 15, 1926

    After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926. The first two contract routes, connecting Detroit with Cleveland and Chicago, were awarded to Ford Air Transport, Ford Motor Company's airline subsidiary. Ford planes carried more than 32,000 pounds of mail before the contract ended in July 1928.
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    Letter from W. B. Mayo to A. B. Pease regarding the First Contract Air Mail Flight (CAM-6), February 15, 1926

    After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926. The first two contract routes, connecting Detroit with Cleveland and Chicago, were awarded to Ford Air Transport, Ford Motor Company's airline subsidiary. Ford planes carried more than 32,000 pounds of mail before the contract ended in July 1928.
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    Letter from Ford Motor Company Cleveland Branch Manager A.B. Pease regarding the First Commercial Air Mail Flight (CAM-6), February 1926

    After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926. The first two contract routes, connecting Detroit with Cleveland and Chicago, were awarded to Ford Air Transport, Ford Motor Company's airline subsidiary. Ford planes carried more than 32,000 pounds of mail before the contract ended in July 1928.
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