Inauguration of Coast to Coast Air Mail Service by the U.S. Post Office Department, New York, July 1, 1924

01

Artifact Overview

Regular air mail service in the United States started in 1918. Initial air mail stamps cost 24 cents -- eight times more than ground service. But those fees helped subsidize the development of America's airways. After operating air mail flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department contracted with commercial air carriers in 1926.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Date Made

01 July 1924

Subject Date

01 July 1924

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

84.1.1629.206

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 6 in
Width: 8 in

Inscriptions

attached press release: WATCH YOUR CREDIT LINE---PHOTO KADEL & HERBERT NEWS PHOTOS / H-17054-S / COAST TO COAST AIRPLANE MAIL SERVICE IS INAUGURATED BY UNCLE SAM. THE START, FROM NEW YORK. / In the presence of senators, congressmen and Post Office / officials, planes start on 35 hour trip across continent. / In center in light suit is John H. Bartlett, acting / Postmaster General of the U.S., being congratulated on this / new achievement of the U.S. Post Office by New York's / Postmaster, Edward M. Morgan.
Inauguration of Coast to Coast Air Mail Service by the U.S. Post Office Department, New York, July 1, 1924