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Collection on the 100th Anniversary of the First Official Airmail, first day cover, related stamps and souvenir booklet

 Collection — Box: Communal Collections 1, Placement: 06, Folder: 1
Identifier: MSA 292

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

  • 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.

Lafayette's Early Aviation History

http://www.ingenweb.org/intippecanoe/airmail.htm

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

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

Contact:
504 Mitch Daniels Boulevard
West Lafayette Indiana 47907 United States
765-494-2839