U.S. Postal Service issues aviation stamps

Ten classic American aircraft from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s took center stage in the form of postage when the U.S. Postal Service conducted a First-Day-of-Issue ceremony for the American Advances in Aviation commemorative stamp pane at the AMERICOVER 2005 Stamp Show. The ceremony took place at the Sheraton Premier at Vienna, 8661 Leesburg Pike, Vienna, VA last week. One of the aircraft depicted on the pane was the last American bomber shot down over Germany in World War II. Solving the mystery behind the crew’s fate proved to be a testament to the art of letter writing.



The American Advances in Aviation stamp pane of 20 stamps (10 designs) is available nationwide at Post Offices and Philatelic Centers.

U.S. Postal Service Vice President, Controller, Lynn Malcom dedicated the stamps.

“The historic aircraft chosen show the innovation and remarkable technological contributions of our nation’s aviation pioneers,” she said. They are a wonderful starting point for unique and beautiful first-day cachets and aviation stamp collections.”

Joining Malcolm in dedicating the stamps was Thomas Childers, the nephew of the radio operator of the specific B-24 Liberator known as the “Black Cat,” which is depicted on the stamp, and Tom Foust, President, American First Day Cover Society.

“The issuance of this stamp is a fitting memorial for all the brave young airmen who flew the B-24 in the Second World War, but especially for the men of the “Black Cat” who died on aboard sixty years ago,” stated Childers. “. I know I speak for the families of those men when I say that we are grateful—and humbled—to see their memory honored in this way.”

From a USPS press release.