Collection on the 100th Anniversary of the First Official Airmail, first day cover, related stamps and souvenir booklet
Scope and Contents
The collection contains the 100th Anniversary first day cover of the official airmail, Balloon "Jupiter," Lafayette, Indiana, 1859 and a copy of the souvenir booklet issued at that time. It also contains four United States, "Jupiter" postage stamps, commemorating the 100th anniversary in 1959. There are six other air mail stamps featured in the collection.
An addition of two envelopes commemorating the world's first air mail flight and stamped with, "Via, Purdue Airplane - Capt. L. I. Aretz, Pilot from Lafayette to Indianapolis, May 19, 1938," were added on February 1, 2017.
Dates
- Creation: 1859 - 1959
Language of Materials
Collection material is in English.
Access Information
The collection is open for research.
Copyright and Use Information
Portions of material in this collection are in the public domain. Other material copyrights held by Purdue University or original creator. Consult with Purdue University Archives and Special Collections prior to reproduction of materials.
Historical Information
The first official United States airmail delivery took place on August 17, 1859. Balloonist John Wise carried one hundred twenty-three letters and twenty-three circulars from Lafayette, Indiana to Crawfordsville, Indiana, a distance of thirty miles, in his balloon Jupiter.
Extent
0.025 items (Seven items contained in one archival envelope)
Acquisition Information
The collection was donated by alumnae, and Flight Archivist Assistant, Mary A. Sego, 2017. Two envelopes commemorating the world's first air mail flight, were donated later on February 1, 2017.
Processing Information
The first day cover was obtained, professionally framed, and for preservation purposes remains in the frame. The letter of authenticity in housed with the first day cover. The "Jupiter" stamps and related airmail stamps have been housed in archival envelopes. The collection is housed in an archival folder and archival box.
Source
- Sego, Mary A., 1960- (Donor, Person)
- Title
- Collection on the 100th Anniversary of the First Official Airmail, first day cover, related stamps and souvenir booklet
- Status
- Under Review
- Author
- Mary A. Sego
- Date
- 2020-03-29
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
- Edition statement
- Second edition. Collection description first completed 2017-07-03.
Repository Details
Part of the Purdue University Archives and Special Collections Repository
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839
archives@purdue.edu