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

- February 15, 1926
- Collections - Artifact
Handstamp for First Commercial Contract Air Mail, February 15, 1926
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.
- Julian Stage Line Stage Wagon, circa 1906 - The Julian Stage Line operated from the early 1880s until about 1910, using stage wagons to carry passengers between railroads and to transport U.S. mail. The one pictured here -- one of the last horse-drawn stages used in the United States -- served the communities of Oceanside and Julian in San Diego County, California.

- circa 1906
- Collections - Artifact
Julian Stage Line Stage Wagon, circa 1906
The Julian Stage Line operated from the early 1880s until about 1910, using stage wagons to carry passengers between railroads and to transport U.S. mail. The one pictured here -- one of the last horse-drawn stages used in the United States -- served the communities of Oceanside and Julian in San Diego County, California.
- Aer Lingus Commemorates 50th Anniversary of the 1928 "Bremen" East-West Transatlantic Flight - Ireland's postal service partnered with airline Aer Lingus in 1978 to issue this commemorative first-day cover celebrating the 50th anniversary of the transatlantic flight of the <em>Bremen</em>. Crewed by Hermann Kohl, James Fitzmaurice, and Ehrenfried Guenther von Huenefeld, the <em>Bremen</em>'s flight -- from Baldonnel, Ireland, to Greenly Island, Canada -- was the first east-to-west crossing, made against prevailing westerly winds.

- 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Aer Lingus Commemorates 50th Anniversary of the 1928 "Bremen" East-West Transatlantic Flight
Ireland's postal service partnered with airline Aer Lingus in 1978 to issue this commemorative first-day cover celebrating the 50th anniversary of the transatlantic flight of the Bremen. Crewed by Hermann Kohl, James Fitzmaurice, and Ehrenfried Guenther von Huenefeld, the Bremen's flight -- from Baldonnel, Ireland, to Greenly Island, Canada -- was the first east-to-west crossing, made against prevailing westerly winds.
- Hallmark "Personalized for You: Mailbox Delivery" Christmas Ornament, 1993 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1993
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Personalized for You: Mailbox Delivery" Christmas Ornament, 1993
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "New Home" Christmas Ornament, 1996 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1996
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "New Home" Christmas Ornament, 1996
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "Extra-Special Delivery" Christmas Ornament, 1994 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1994
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "Extra-Special Delivery" Christmas Ornament, 1994
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Hallmark "On the Road Series" Miniature Christmas Ornament, 1998 - Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.

- 1998
- Collections - Artifact
Hallmark "On the Road Series" Miniature Christmas Ornament, 1998
Already known for greeting cards, Hallmark introduced a line of Christmas ornaments in 1973. The company's annual release of an increasing array of ornaments revolutionized Christmas decorating, appealing to customers' interest in marking memories and milestones as well as expressing one's personality and unique tastes.
- Boeing Airplane for the CAM-18 Chicago to San Francisco Air Mail Route, February 6, 1928 - Regular air mail service in the United States started in 1918. After operating flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department began contracting with commercial air carriers in 1926. Contract Air Mail (CAM) agreements stimulated the formation of new airline companies, and they encouraged the design of improved airplanes to carry mail and passengers.

- February 06, 1928
- Collections - Artifact
Boeing Airplane for the CAM-18 Chicago to San Francisco Air Mail Route, February 6, 1928
Regular air mail service in the United States started in 1918. After operating flights itself for eight years, the U.S. Post Office Department began contracting with commercial air carriers in 1926. Contract Air Mail (CAM) agreements stimulated the formation of new airline companies, and they encouraged the design of improved airplanes to carry mail and passengers.
- Mailbox, 1950-1960 -

- 1950-1960
- Collections - Artifact
Mailbox, 1950-1960
- "Save the USPS" Button, 2020 - Americans' reliance on mail and package delivery increased during the coronavirus pandemic. A rise was also expected in mail-in election ballots due to concerns about in-person voting safety. These factors brought attention to the role of the US Postal Service--and the Trump administration's attempts to reshape the agency as a business--in the 2020 election year.

- 2020
- Collections - Artifact
"Save the USPS" Button, 2020
Americans' reliance on mail and package delivery increased during the coronavirus pandemic. A rise was also expected in mail-in election ballots due to concerns about in-person voting safety. These factors brought attention to the role of the US Postal Service--and the Trump administration's attempts to reshape the agency as a business--in the 2020 election year.