aerodacious
web-catalog        PIONEER Air Mail First Flights 1912

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Page PIO1912 (Revised 03/19/2009)


HIGHWOOD PARK EXHIBITION        Wilmington NC
P-0014    P-0014A

Bad weather on January 1st prevented the flight from taking place. The next day the weather cleared and pilot, Walter Brookins flew his Wright-Breguet aeroplane carrying a mailbag with approximately 1,600 pieces of mail (canceled on Januaury 1, 1912) over a distance of three miles. The mailbag was dropped by Brookins over Winter Park and was then retrieved by a postal clerk transporting it the post office by automobile for further dispatch in the postal system. Wilmington Postmaster, Thomas E Wallace authorized the establishment of a postal sub-station at Highwood Park Race Track and this aerial transport of mail.
P-0014 120102 Highwood Park-Local Walter Brookins $1,050.00


DOMINGUEZ FIELD AVIATION MEET        Los Angeles CA
P-0015

Postmaster William H Harrison established a postal sub-station on the grounds of Dominguez Field LA. Aviator Glenn L Martin flew from Domingez Field about four miles to Compton CA where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and driven by car to the post office. Additional pilots other than Glenn Martin that flew the mail during this international air meet included Clifford Turpin and Charles Willard.
P-0015 120120, 23, 24 & 28 Dominguez Field-Comptom CA Type 1 Postmark Glenn L Martin
Clifford Turpin
Charles F Willard		 $190.00
P-0015a 120121, 22, 23 & 28 Dominguez Field-Comptom CA Type 2 Postmark $190.00
P-0015b 120125, 26, 27 & 28 Dominguez Field-Comptom CA Type 3 Postmark $190.00

Error with Time instead of Year on 3rd line
P-0015c 120120 - 120128 Dominguez Field-Comptom CA Error Postmark $450.00


OAKLAND AVIATION MEET        Oakland CA
P-0016

Postmaster Schaeffer established a postal sub-station at the Emeryville Race Track Oakland CA Aviator Farnum Fish flew from Emeryville to 17th Street and Broadway where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and driven by car to the post office. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Pacific Aero Club and was dedicated to aviator, Eugene Ely who had lost his life in a plane crash four months earlier in Macon GA.
P-0016 120217 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $413.00
P-0016a 120218 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $450.00
P-0016b 120222 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $450.00
P-0016c 120223 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $525.00
P-0016d 120224 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $450.00
P-0016e 120225 Emeryville Race Track-Local Farnum T Fish $450.00


AGRICULTURAL PARK AVIATION MEET        Sacramento CA
P-0017

Postmaster RH Richardson established a postal sub-station on the grounds of the Agricultural Park Sacramento CA. Aviator Phil Parmalee flew from this Park about a mile to Oak Park where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and driven by car to the post office. Glenn Martin repeated this feat the next day.
P-0017 120302 Agricultural Park-Oak Park Phil O Parmalee $750.00
P-0017a 120303 Agricultural Park-Oak Park Glenn L Martin $750.00


ARKANSAS AVIATION MEET        Hot Springs AR
P-0018

During the seven day aviation meet held at the Oaklawn Park Race Track Hot Springs AR aviators Jimmy Ward, Nels Nelson and Keane Keane carried some mail during their exhibition flights.
P-0018 120313 Oaklawn Park Race Track-Local James J Ward
Nels J Nelson
Keane B Keane		 $3,000.00
P-0018a 120315 Oaklawn Park Race Track-Local $3,000.00


NATIONAL SCHOOL of AVIATION MEET        Galveston TX
P-0019

Postmaster HA Griffin established a postal sub-station adjacent to the National Aeroplane Company facilities in Galveston TX. In early 1912 the National Aeroplane Company of Chicago located in Cicero IL opened a new facility in Galveston TX. It provided flight instruction and schooling in many aspects of the emerging aviation industry. Paul Studensky was their instructor and test pilot and Lester V Bratton was in charge of aeroplane construction and repair.
Aviator, Studensky in a Curtiss type biplane flew from the National facility in Galveston about 15 miles to Virginia Point LaMarque TX where he made a landing. He delivered a pouch of mail to the waiting postmaster who presented him with a receipt for the pouched mail. Studensky took off and returned to Galveston. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Galveston Chamber of Commerce.
P-0019 120317 Galveston TX-LaMarque TX Paul Studensky $450.00


DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT        Houston TX
P-0020

Fred DeKor in front of his plane (circa 1916)
Following the publicity of the Studensky flight of March 17th, aviator Fred DeKor (aka Fred Korstad) planned a flight from Houston to Galveston TX. Bad weather forced DeKor to reschedule and finally to terminate his flight attempt. Mail that was intended to be carried on this demonstration flight was finally sent via surface transport on April 10, 1912.
P-0020 120410 Houston TX-Galveston TX March 24 Cachet Fred DeKor $4,500.00
P-0020a 120410 Houston TX-Galveston TX March 31 Cachet Fred DeKor $4,500.00


CORONADO POLO GROUNDS AVIATION MEET        San Diego CA        Land & Hydroplane Relay
P-0021

Lt John Towers in his hydro-plane
Postmaster CH Bartholomew established a postal sub-station at the Coronado Polo Grounds San Diego CA. Aviator Farnum Fish flew from the Polo Grounds to the nearby beach where he dropped one of the mail pouches from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and passed on to Lt John H Towers who was waiting in his hydro-plane. Towers accepted the mail pouch and flew it to Point Loma CA.
Fish flew the second mail pouch across the bay and dropped it to postal people waiting at the Coronado field who took it to the post office for further processing.
P-0021 120406 Coronado Polo Grounds-Point Loma CA Farnum T Fish & Lt John H Towers $750.00
P-0021a 120407 Point Loma CA-Coronado Polo Grounds Lt John H Towers & Farnum T Fish $750.00


FIRST CITY-to-CITY EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHT        New Orleans LA
P-0022

The New Orleans LA Postmaster established a postal sub-station at the State University Athletic Field. Aviator George Mestach flew from the Athletic Field 89 miles to Baton Rouge LA. This accomplishment was noted to be the first official flight of significant distance between two principal cities.
Sadly, Mestach damaged his plane after landing forcing the cancellation of his return flight.
P-0022 120410 New Orleans LA-Baton Rouge LA George Mestach $450.00

Souvenir Post Card
P-0022a 120410 New Orleans LA-Baton Rouge LA George Mestach $525.00

Return Flight (Cancelled ~ Not Flown)
P-0022b 120522 Baton Rouge LA-New Orleans LA George Mestach $600.00

Return Souvenir Post Card (Cancelled ~ Not Flown)
P-0022c 120522 Baton Rouge LA-New Orleans LA George Mestach $750.00


ERA PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Eureka CA
P-0023

The Postmaster of Eureka CA established a postal sub-station at the New Era Park. Aviator Weldon Cooke flew from Era Park across Humbolt Bay to Railroad Wharf Eureka CA where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and driven by car to the post office. This accomplishment was noted to be the first official flight in the state of California.
P-0023 120421 Era Park-Eureka CA Weldon B Cooke $600.00


MARIETTA DAILY JOURNAL AVIATION MEET        Marietta OH
P-0024

The Postmaster of Marietta OH established a postal sub-station at the Washington County Fair Grounds. Aviator Lincoln Beachey piloting a Curtiss biplane flew from the fair grounds four miles up the Muskingum River to the Marietta Post Office where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0024 120516 Washington County Fair Grounds-Marietta Post Office Lincoln Beachey $3,750.00


DRIVING PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Altoona PA        (Cancelled ~ Not Flown)
P-0025

Postmaster George Fox of Altoona PA established a postal sub-station at the Driving Park (aka Altoona Speedway). Aviator Walter Brookins had planned to fly from the speedway to the main Post Office in Altoona but the unruly crowd, blocking the take-off path caused cancellation of the flight.
P-0025 120518 Driving Park-Local Walter R Brookins $150.00


OVER-WATER FLIGHT        Chicago IL
P-0026

W Herman Black was the advertising manager of the Milwaukee Journal. To stimulate the publicity of the emerging aeroplane phenomenon, the Journal sponsored the flight of aviator Farnum Fish from Cicero Field Chicago IL skirting along Lake Michigan to Milwaukee WI. Fish flew 93 miles non-stop in his standard Wright B Flyer carrying a mail pouch with Milwaukee Journal newspapers and correspondence.
P-0026 120525 Cicero Field-Milwaukee WI Farnum T Fish $3,750.00


ROCKINGHAM PARK AVIATION MEET        Salem Depot NH
P-0027

The Postmaster of Salem NH established a postal sub-station at the Rockingham Park Race Track Salem NH. Aviator Lincoln Beachey planned to fly from Rockingham Park four miles across the State line to Lawrence MA. His flight was originally set for May 30, 1912 but was aborted because of poor weather.
P-0027 120530 Rockingham Park-Lawrence MA Lincoln Beachey $2,250.00

Souvenir Post Card ~ Rockingham Park Cachet
P-0027a 120924 Woburn MA-Waltham MA $2,250.00


STATE FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION MEET        Milwaukee WI
P-0028

Following the publicity of the Fish flight of May 25th, the Milwaukee Journal saw the advantages of delivering their newspapers by air. Accordingly, when the Postmaster of Milwaukee WI established a postal sub-station at the State Fair Grounds, the Journal advocated the distribution of their newspaper and mail by aeroplane by sponsoring this aviation meet. Aviator Horace Kearny flew from the fair grounds about a mile to West Allis WI where he dropped the mail pouch from the plane. Unforturnately, it became entangled on the underside of the plane and could not be dislodged. Kearny returned to the fair grounds with the entangled pouch and gave it to Farnum Fish who flew it over West Allis where it was successfully dropped. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
Inclement weather cancelled additional mail carrying flights during this aviation meet.
P-0028 120530 State Fair Grounds-West Allis Farnum T Fish & Horace Kearny $2,250.00

Mail Postmarked June 1st (Not Flown)
P-0028a 120601 State Fair Grounds-West Allis Farnum T Fish & Horace Kearny $3,000.00


ATWOOD PARK AVIATION MEET        Cliftondale MA
P-0029

The Postmaster of Cliftondale MA (suburb of Sugus MA) established a postal sub-station at Atwood Park. Aviator Harry Atwood flew from the park about five miles to the Town Commons Lynn MA where he dropped the mail from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
On June 1st aviator Archer Freeman repeated the earlier flight except that he lost his bearings and mistakenly dropped the mail pouch into the harbor where it was quickly retrieved and taken to the West Lynn post office.
P-0029 120530 Cliftondale MA-Lynn MA Harry N Atwood $263.00
P-0029a 120601 Cliftondale MA-Lynn MA Arch Freeman $263.00


TRIPLE CITY AVIATION MEET        Cicero~Elmhurst~Wheaton IL
P-0030

P-0030

Frank H Hitchcock, the Postmaster General of Chicago established a postal sub-station at Cicero Flying Field. Similarly, the postmasters of Elmhurst and Wheaton authorized the interchange of mail between these three locations.
The Triple City Aviation Meet had the theme “Historical Progress Day.” Aviator, George Mestach flew his Morane-Borel monoplane, Paul Studensky flew the Beech-National biplane, Otto W Brodie gave passenger flights in his Farman biplane and Max Lillie gave student aviator, Katherine Stinson lessons in his Lillie-Wright Model B. Marcel Tournier, Andrew Drew, DeLloyd Thompson and Farnum T Fish also flew.
P-0030 120530 Cicero Field-Elmhurst Golf Club-Wheaton Golf Club George Mestach $1,125.00
P-0030a 120530 Elmhurst Golf Club-Cicero Field Max Lillie $5,000.00
P-0030b 120531 Cicero Field-Elmhurst Golf Club-Wheaton Golf Club Max Lillie $1,125.00
P-0030c 120601 Cicero Field-Wheaton Golf Club-Cicero Field Paul Studensky $5,000.00
P-0030d 120601 Cicero Field-Elmhurst Golf Club-Wheaton Golf Club Marcel Tournier $1,125.00
P-0030e 120601 Cicero Field-Elmhurst Golf Club-Cicero Field Max Lillie $1,125.00
P-0030f 120602 Cicero Field-Wheaton Golf Club-Cicero Field Paul Studensky $1,125.00
P-0030g 120602 Cicero Field-Elmhurst Golf Club-Cicero Field Max Lillie $5,000.00


RACE TRACK AVIATION MEET        Lexington KY
P-0031

Postmaster WR Smith of Lexington KY established a postal sub-station on the grounds of the Race Track Lexington KY. Aviator Paul Peck planned to fly from the Race Track about fifteen miles to Winchester KY. During this aviation meet the weather was so bad that no distance flights took place. All of the prepared mail was then sent on its way, unflown.
P-0031 120613 Lexington KY-Winchester KY Paul Peck $750.00


EVANSVILLE COURIER AVIATION MEET        Evansville IN
P-0032

The Postmaster of Evansville IN established a postal sub-station at the fair grounds Evansville IN. The aviation meet was sponsored by the local newspaper, the Evansville Courier. On each day of the event aviators Lincoln Beachey and Horace Kearney each flew a mail pouch from the fair grounds about two miles to Woodmere IN where it was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0032 120606-120608 Fair Grounds-Woodmere Lincoln Beachey & Horace Kearny $225.00

Souvenir Card
P-0032a 120606-120608 Fair Grounds-Woodmere Lincoln Beachey & Horace Kearny $300.00


LIMA DRIVING PARK AVIATION MEET        Lima OH
P-0012

Postmaster General Frank H Hitchcock established a postal sub-station at the Driving Park in the fair grounds Lima OH. Aviator Charles F Walsh flew from the Driving Park to the downtown Lima public square where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. William B Hemstrought flew a similar flight the next day.
P-0033 120606 Driving Park-Downtown Lima Charles F Walsh $375.00
P-0033a 120607 Driving Park-Downtown Lima William B Hemstrought $375.00
P-0033b 120608 Driving Park-Downtown Lima Charles F Walsh $375.00

Souvenir Post Card
P-0033c 120606-120608 Driving Park-Downtown Lima Charles F Walsh & William B Hemstrought $375.00

Error - Date Omitted from Postmark
P-0033d 120606-120608 Driving Park-Downtown Lima Charles F Walsh & William B Hemstrought $375.00


MANSFIELD DAILY NEWS AVIATION EXHIBITION        Mansfield OH        (Souvenir Card-Not Flown)
P-0034

Postmaster General Frank H Hitchcock established a postal sub-station at the fair grounds Mansfield OH. Aviator Beckwith Havens planned to fly from the fair grounds to the post office where the mail pouch would be dropped from the plane. This aviation flying demonstration was sponsored by the local newspaper, the Mansfield Daily News. Havens experienced engine problems causing the cancellation of his mail carrying attempt.
P-0034 120608 Fair Grounds-Post Office Beckwith Havens $3,000.00


MILLBROOK PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Portsmouth OH
P-0035

The Postmaster of Portsmouth OH established a postal sub-station at Millbrook Park Portsmouth OH. Aviator Charles F Walsh flew from Millbrook Park to the post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0035 120628-120629 Millbrook Park-Post Office Charles F Walsh $375.00


BOSTON AVIATION MEET        Squantum MA
P-0036

Authorization from the Washington DC Post Office was received authorizing mail to be flown from the Boston Aviation Meet held at Dennison Aviation Field (aka Harvard Field) in Squantum MA. Aviators were scheduled to feed mail from adjacent Massachusett towns including Atlantic, Quincy, Milton and East Milton to Squantum where it would be consolidated for further aerial transport to New York City. Woman aviator, Harriet Quimby was designated to make the flight from Squantum MA to New York City.
A dispute arose between the feeder pilots and the Aviation Meet manager, William AP Willard over their salary cancelling Quimby's flight south to NY. Two days later on July 1, 1912 Harriet Quimby and Willard died when they fell out of Quimby's Bleriot aircraft while over Dorchester Bay MA.
P-0036 120629 Hartford Aviation Field-Quincy, Milton & East Milton Harriet Quimby $2,250.00
P-0036a 120701-120706 Hartford Aviation Field-Quincy, Milton & East Milton $2,250.00


ATHLETIC PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Bedford ~ Oolitic ~ Mitchell IN
P-0037

The Postmaster of Bedford IN established a postal sub-station at the Athletic Field Bedford IN. Aviator Max Lillie had planned to fly from the Athletic Field (Baseball Field) Bedford IN to Oolitic (4 miles) and on to Mitchell (10 miles). After departing from Bedford, Lillie encountered high winds two miles into his flight disorienting him and forcing his return to Bedford. The returned flown mail was then brought to the post office.
P-0037 120704 Athletic Field-Local Type 1 Postmark Max Lillie $3,000.00
P-0037a 120704 Athletic Field-Local Type 2 Postmark Max Lillie $3,000.00
P-0037b 120704 Athletic Field-Local Type 3 Postmark Max Lillie $3,000.00


EXPERIMENTAL HYDROPLANE FLIGHT        South Amboy ~ Perth Amboy NJ
P-0038

The Postmaster of South Amboy NJ established a postal sub-station for the experiment of flying postal mail by hydroplane. Aviator Oliver G Simmons flew a Wright-Burgess hydro-aeroplane across the Raritan River from South Amboy NJ about two miles to the post office at Perth Amboy where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. This flight experiment was sponsored by the South Amboy Business Men's Association.
P-0038 120704 South Amboy-Perth Amboy NJ Type 1 Cachet Oliver G Simmons $375.00
P-0038a 120704 South Amboy-Perth Amboy NJ Type 2 Cachet Oliver G Simmons $450.00

2 cent Embossed Envelope with two cachets "By Aerial Route"
P-0038b 120704 South Amboy-Perth Amboy NJ Oliver G Simmons $450.00

2 cent Embossed Envelope with one cachet "By Aerial Route"
P-0038c 120704 South Amboy-Perth Amboy NJ Oliver G Simmons $525.00


BUTLER COUNTY FAIR AVIATION MEET        Hamilton OH
P-0039

The Postmaster of Hamilton OH established a postal sub-station at the Butler County Fair Grounds Hamilton OH. Aviator Charles F Walsh flew from the fair grounds to Krebs Baseball Park where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. Lincoln Beachey flew a similar flight the next day. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Hamilton Retail Merchants Association.
P-0039 120712 Butler County Fair-Krebs Baseball Park Charles F Walsh $750.00
P-0039a 120713 Butler County Fair-Krebs Baseball Park Lincoln Beachey $525.00


FAIR GROUNDS FLYING EXHIBITION        Benton Harbor MI
P-0040

The Postmaster of Benton Harbor MI established a postal sub-station at the fair grounds Benton Harbor MI. Aviator Charles F Walsh flew from the Benton Harbor Fair Grounds to East Lawn on East Street where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. Lincoln Beachey flew a similar flight the next day.
P-0040 120717 Fair Grounds-Post Office Charles F Walsh $750.00
P-0040a 120718 Fair Grounds-Post Office Lincoln Beachey $150.00


CONEY ISLAND FLYING EXHIBITION        Cincinnati OH
P-0041

The Postmaster of Cincinnati OH established a postal sub-station at the Coney Island Resort Cincinnati OH. Aviator Paul Beck flew from the Resort about ten miles to California OH.
P-0041 120720 Coney Island Resort-California OH Paul Peck $1,125.00
P-0041a 120722 Coney Island Resort-California OH Paul Peck $1,125.00


NUTWOOD PARK AVIATION MEET        Dubuque IA
P-0042

The Postmaster of Dubuque IA established a postal sub-station at Nutwood Park Dubuque IA. Aviator Charles F Walsh flew from the park about one mile to a point near the Dubuque post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Dubuque Business Men's Association.
P-0042 120720-120721 Nutwood Park-Dubuque Post Office Charles F Walsh $300.00


FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION EXHIBITION        Providence KY
P-0043

The Postmaster of Providence KY established a postal sub-station at the fair grounds Providence KY. Aviator Horace Kearney (aka Peck's Bad Boy of the Air) flew from the fair grounds to a point near the post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0043 120727 Fair Grounds-Main Post Office Horace Kearny $3,000.00


EXPERIMENTAL AEROPLANE MAIL FLIGHT        Connersville ~ Rushville IN        Not Flown
P-0044

The Postmaster of Connersville IN established a postal sub-station at the fair grounds Connersville IN. Aviator Paul Peck planned to fly from the Connersville fair grounds about 17 miles to Rushville IN. Bad weather and heavy winds prevented the flight.
P-0044 120731 Connersville-Rushville IN Paul Peck $1,500.00


HOHOKUS SPEEDWAY AVIATION MEET        Hohokus ~ Ridgewood NJ
P-0045

Postmaster Bridgeman of Ridgewood NJ established a postal sub-station at the Hohokus Race Track (aka Hohokus Speedway, later Bergen County Park) Hohokus NJ. The Speedway had been originally built as a horse trotting track, later converted to an auto speedway in 1912. French aviator Francis Durafour was to fly a pouch of mail from the Hohokus Speedway to Ridgewood NJ. When Durafour lost his way flying from Hackensach to Hohokus, Joseph Richter was substituted to make the 1.5 mile flight. Richter landed at the YMCA field in Ridgewood NJ where he passed the mail over to postal authorities for transmittal to the post office.
P-0045 120803 Hohokus Speedway-Ridgewood NJ Joseph Richter $375.00


MAIL and PASSENGER FLIGHT        Ocean City ~ Stone Harbor NJ
P-0046

Postmaster EM Sutton of Ocean City NJ and the Postmaster of Stone Harbor NJ established postal sub-stations at each location. Aviator Marshall Earle Reid converted his Wright aeroplane into a hydro-aeroplane for flying between these two locations as most of the flight would be over water. He flew between the Hotel Normandie in Ocean City and the Yachtman's Club in Stone Harbor. His twenty mile daily flights carried both mail and passengers. His original authorization for making flights between August 3rd and 10th except Sunday was such a success that it was extended to September 5th.
P-0046 120803-120810 Ocean City-Stone Harbor NJ Marshall Earl Reid $600.00
P-0046a 120803-120810 Stone Harbor-Ocean City NJ Marshall Earl Reid $675.00
P-0046b 120812-120905 Ocean City-Stone Harbor NJ $750.00


HARVEST FESTIVAL AVIATION EXHIBITION        Fort Recovery OH
P-0047

The Postmaster of Fort Recovery OH established a postal sub-station at a local farm field that would be used as an airstrip. Aviator George Schmitt planned to fly from the local farm field to a point close to the post office where the mail pouch would be dropped from the plane. After his take-off, Schmitt experienced some in-flight problems forcing him to return to the farm field. The returned mail was then dispatched to the post office by automobile. His aeroplane could not be repaired in time for further exhibition flights.
Earle Sandt was summoned as a replacement aviator. He arrived on August 7th, too late to carry any mail that day. Aviator Sandt flew from the local farm field to a point close to the post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0047 120806 Local Farm-Post Office George Schmitt $900.00

Mail Prepared but Not Flown
P-0047a 120807 Local Farm-Post Office $375.00

P-0047b 120808 Local Farm-Post Office Earle Sandt $450.00
P-0047c 120810 Local Farm-Post Office Earle Sandt $600.00


COUNTRY CLUB AVIATION EXHIBITION        Portland OR ~ Vancouver WA
P-0048

Postmaster Charles B Merrick established a postal sub-station at the Country Club Race Track Portland OR. Aviator Walter Edwards Kittel flew from the race track about seven miles up the Columbian River to the Parade Grounds in Vancouver Washington where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
Since this was the first authorized air mail flown in the Pacific Northwest, it got good publicity and carried mail addressed to President Taft, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson and the Poistmaster General.
P-0048 120810 Country Club Race Track OR-Parade Grounds WA Walter Edwards Kittel $450.00
P-0048a 120811 Country Club Race Track OR-Parade Grounds WA Walter Edwards Kittel $375.00


ROCKPORT FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION EXHIBITION        Rockport IN
P-0049

Postmaster FB Garlinghouse established a postal sub-station at the Rockport Fair Grounds Rockport IN. Aviator Horace Kearney flew from the fair grounds about one mile to a point close to the post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office by automobile.
P-0049 120821 Rockport Fair-Local Horace Kearny $450.00
P-0049a 120822 Rockport Fair-Local Horace Kearny $225.00
P-0049b 120823 Rockport Fair-Local Horace Kearny $225.00


PLAINFIELD DRIVING PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Plainfield NJ
P-0050

Postmaster EH Bird established a postal sub-station at the Plainfield Driving Park Plainfield NJ. Aviator Lincoln Beachey flew from the driving park about one mile to a point close to the South Plainfield post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0050 120823 Driving Park-South Plainfield NJ Lincoln Beachey $225.00
P-0050a 120824 Driving Park-South Plainfield NJ Lincoln Beachey $225.00

Date Missing from Postmark
P-0050b 120823-120824 Driving Park-South Plainfield NJ Lincoln Beachey $750.00


FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION EXHIBITION        Boonville IN
P-0051

Postmaster Richardson established a postal sub-station at the Fair Grounds Boonville IN. Aviator Horace Kearney flew from the fair grounds about twenty-one miles to a point close to the Boonville post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office. He repeated this each day of the aviation exhibition.
P-0051 120828 Fair Grounds-Boonville Post Office Horace Kearny $525.00
P-0051a 120829 Fair Grounds-Boonville Post Office Horace Kearny $450.00
P-0051b 120830 Fair Grounds-Boonville Post Office Horace Kearny $450.00
P-0051c 120831 Fair Grounds-Boonville Post Office Horace Kearny $750.00


WELKIN AVIATION ASSOCIATION EXHIBITION        White Plains NY
P-0052

The Governor of New York, Governor Dix made a special appearance at the Westchester County Fair and Horse Show. While horse judging and horse-racing were the main interest at this Fair, carrying the mail by aeroplane drew much attention. The Postmaster established a postal sub-station at the Empire City Trotting Club Fair Grounds under the direction of Harry Pearsall. Aviator Lincoln Beachey flew from the fair grounds to White Plains where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. It landed on the lawn of Saint John's Church where it was retrieved and brought to the post office. This aviation flight was sponsored by the Welkin Aviation Association.
P-0052 120831 Westchester County Fair Grounds-White Plains Post Office Lincoln Beachey $4,500.00


COUNTRY CLUB AVIATION EXHIBITION        Cedar Falls IA
P-0053

The Postmaster of Cedar Falls IA established a postal sub-station at the Country Club Golf Course Cedar Falls IA. Aviator Lincoln Beachey flew from the golf course about two miles to the College Hill Park where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office by automobile.
P-0053 120906-120907 Country Club Golf Course-College Hill Park Lincoln Beachey $450.00


FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION EXHIBITION        Columbia TN
P-0054

The Postmaster of Columbia TN established a postal sub-station at the Fair Grounds Columbia TN. Aviator Horace Kearney flew from the fair grounds to a point near the Columbia Post Office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0054 120910-120912 Fair Grounds-Columbia Post Office Horace Kearny $750.00


CICERO FLYING FIELD INTERNATIONAL AVIATION MEET        Cicero IL
P-0055

P-0055

P-0055

In 1912 Chicago had several airfields. Two of these, Cicero Flying Field and Grant Park saw a wealth of early aviation activity. Cicero officially opened on July 4, 1911 and was easily accessable by the Chicago Metropolitan Elevated Railway. With the onset of WW-I, Cicero became a mix of commercial, industrial and residential developments. Ashburn Field became a center for military aviation and Cicero faded from memory.
The Postmaster of Cicero IL established a postal sub-station at the Cicero Flying Field. During this International Aviation Meet several aviators flew from Cicero to Grant Park (near Chicago's downtown) carrying mail. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Aero Club of Illinois (ACI).
P-0055 120912 Cicero-Grant Park DeLloyd Thompson $750.00
P-0055a 120913 Cicero-Grant Park Max Lillie $750.00
P-0055b 120914 Cicero-Grant Park Chance M Vought $750.00
P-0055c 120915 Cicero-Grant Park $750.00
P-0055d 120912 Cicero-Grant Park J Romano Montero or Charles L Wiggin $750.00


GRANT PARK AVIATION MEET        Chicago IL
P-0056

P-0056

At the completion of the International Aviation Meet in Cicero, a follow-on aviation meet was held at Grant Park. Grant Park (originally Lake Park) was located along the shore of Lake Michigan directly across from Chicago's waterfront, Michigan Avenue. It's beginnings date to 1835 and it was to remain public ground forever to remain vacant of buildings. It was expanded with landfill and in 1912 was used as an airfield.
For the Grant Park aviation meet Chicago Postmaster, GG Thompson approved the aerial transport of mail by aeroplanes. Several aviators carried mail on their flights around the airfield. After landing this mail was taken to the Chicago Post Office. This aviation meet was sponsored by the Aero Club of Illinois (ACI).
P-0056 120919-120922 Grant Park-Local Max Lillie
DeLloyd Thompson
Farnum T Fish
Horace Kearny
Marcel Tournier		 $450.00

Datestamp Missing from Postmark
P-0056a 120919-120922 Grant Park-Local $300.00


DEMONSTRATION FLIGHT        Glen Head NY
P-0057

In 1912 the Wright Company established a school for water-based flying known as the Wright Air Ferry at the Glenwood Country Club in Glen Head, Long Island NY. Aviator Charles Wald was put in charge of the operation. The school flew a Wright Model B aircraft equipped with floats attached to the landing skids. Wald’s first flight with the hydroaeroplane occurred on September 9, 1912.
On September 21st Wald flew nine miles across Long Island Sound from Glenwood Landing to New Rochelle Harbor carrying a bag of mail.
P-0057 120921 Glenwood Country Club Glen Head NY-New Rochelle NY Charles Wald $7,500.00


WEST SIDE BALL PARK AVIATION EXHIBITION        Bluffton IN
P-0058

During the West Side Ball Park Aviation Exhibition aviator Charles F Walsh flew a Curtiss biplane from the ball park carrying mail. After landing this mail was taken to the Bluffton Post Office.
P-0058 120925 Bluffton IN-Local Charles F Walsh $2,250.00
P-0058a 120926 Bluffton IN-Local Charles F Walsh $1,125.00


AVIATION & STREET CIRCUS        McLeansboro IL
P-0059

The Postmaster of McLeansboro IL established a postal sub-station at the Fair Grounds McLeansboro IL. Aviator Horace Kearney flew from the fair grounds about one mile to a point close to the McLeansboro post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0059 120926-120928 Circus Grounds-Post Office Horace Kearny $225.00


CRAWFORD's PUGET SOUND AERIAL MAIL        Puyallup WA ~ Tacoma WA
P-0060

The Puyallup Valley Fair had been scheduled to begin on September 29, 1912 in Puyallup WA. Aviator Harvey Crawford assisted in advertising this upcoming event by making a publicity flight between Puyallup and Tacoma WA the day before the Fair was to begin. With the help of his brother, William they prepared specially printed one cent postcards that Harvey carried on his publicity flight. The postcards were hand deliviered to the Tacoma WA post office where they were posted.
P-0060 120928 Puyallup WA-Tacoma WA Harvey Crawford $900.00


STATE FAIR GROUNDS AVIATION MEET        Springfield IL
P-0061

The State Fair that was to be held in Springfielf IL was scheduled for October 4th through the 12th. The Postmaster of Springfield IL established a postal sub-station at the Fair Grounds Springfield IL. Plans called for mail to be flown from the fair grounds to six nearby communities including Williamsville, Sherman, Chatham, Riverton, Pleasant Plains and Cantrall.
On October 8th aviator Edward Korn flying a Benoist tractor-type aeroplane departed for Williamville. A mechanical problem forced him to return to the fair grounds but he crash-landed before making it back. The flown mail was then delivered to the post office. Flying a Curtiss-pusher, Horace Kearney made a successful flight to Williamsville on October 10th. Inclement weather and disabled aeroplanes ended additional flights and all accepted mail was delivered to the post office unflown.
P-0061 121008 Fair Grounds-Local Edward Korn $525.00
P-0061a 121010 Fair Grounds-Williamsville IL Horace Kearny $600.00

With "Aeroplane Station" Postmark        Not Flown
P-0061b 121012 Fair Grounds-Williamsville IL $300.00


STATE FAIR AVIATION EXHIBITION        Birmingham AL        Not Flown
P-0062

The Postmaster of Birmingham AL established a postal sub-station at the Alabama State Fair Grounds Birmingham AL. Aviator Joseph Stevenson planned to fly from the fair grounds about four miles to a point close to the Main Post Office in Birmingham where the mail pouch would be dropped from the plane. Sadly, Stevenson lost control of his aircraft at a low altitude and crashed. He died the nexy day ending the aerial exhibition. Mail that was submitted for the first day's flight was hand delivered to the post office unflown.
P-0062 121007 Alabama State Fair Grounds-Main Post Office Joseph Stevenson $3,000.00


OLD HOME WEEK FLYING EXHIBITION        Lock Haven PA ~ Mill Hall PA
P-0063

Postmaster Peck of Lock Haven PA established a postal sub-station at the Race Track Lock Haven PA. Aviator Walter E Johnson flew a Thomas biplane from the race track about three miles to Agar's Park in Mill Hall PA where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0063 121012 Lock Haven Race Track-Agar's Park Mill Hall PA Walter E Johnson $450.00


RANDOLPH COUNTY FAIR AVIATION EXHIBITION        Cuthbert GA
P-0020

Fred DeKor in front of his plane (circa 1916)
Postmaster Bussey of Cuthbert GA established a postal sub-station at the Randolph County Fair Grounds Cuthbert GA. Aviator Fred DeKor (aka Fred Korstad) flew from the fair grounds about two miles to a point close to the Cuthbert post office where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office by automobile.
P-0064a 121101 Randolph Fair Grounds-Cuthbert Post Office Fred DeKor $1,500.00
P-0064b 121102 Randolph Fair Grounds-Cuthbert Post Office Fred DeKor $450.00


INGLESIDE PARK AVIATION MEET        San Francisco CA
P-0065

P-0065

Postmaster Fish of San Francisco CA established a postal sub-station at Ingleside Dog Racing Coursing Park San Francisco CA. Aviator Harvey Crawford flew from the park about a half mile to a point close to the Presidio Military Reservation in northwest San Francisco where the mail pouch was dropped from the plane. The mail was then retrieved and brought to the post office.
P-0065 121124 Ingleside Coursing Park-Presidio San Francisco CA Harvey Crawford $600.00


TANFORAN PARK AVIATION MEET        San Francisco CA
P-0066

P-0066

An extension of the postal substation established at Ingleside Dog Racing Course Park in mid-December was extended to the Tanforan Park Aviation Meet San Francisco CA. Aviator Roy N Francis flew from the horse/auto race track and while circling above dropped souvenir cards to the crowd below. These souvenir cards were then stamped, addressed and posted at the substation post office set up at the Meet.
P-0066 121225 Tanforan Park Race Track-Post Office Type 1 Postmark Roy N Francis $3,000.00
P-0066a 121225 Tanforan Park Race Track-Post Office Type 2 Postmark Roy N Francis $3,000.00
P-0066b 121227 Tanforan Park Race Track-Post Office Type 1 Postmark Roy N Francis $3,000.00
P-0066c 121229 Tanforan Park Race Track-Post Office Type 1 Postmark Roy N Francis $3,000.00

INDEX: PIONEER First Flights by year

1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916
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