US Airmail stamps 1927 20c C9

C9 - 1927 20¢ Airmail

20¢
Yellow Green, Green

Printing Method: Flat Plate
Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Subject: U.S. Map and Mail Planes
Number issued: 17,616,350
Perforations: 11
Watermark: Unwatermarked
Scott #: C9
Issued: January 25th, 1927

Value

Used
50¢ - 75¢
No postmark with gum (MH)
$1.25
Full perfect gum, no postmark
no trace of stamp hinge mark (MNH)
$1.50 - $2.50

Plate #'s

#C9 was issued with the following plate #'s

18890-94
18897-99

First Day Cover

Enlarge

A first day cover postmarked January 25th, 1927

The Inspiration for the Design

1933 Airway Map of the United States, showing lighted routes in solid black

in order to advertise the greatly expanded airmail routes it was decided to put a map of the USA with two planes, one facing East and facing West indicating that it was both an airmail stamp and the routes were coast to coast.

Usage

The current system of calculating the rate to be charged for was complex and in 1927 it was simplified to 10¢ per half ounce regardless of operator or distance. To accommodate larger mail using this new system a 20¢ stamp was introduced.

Airmail Goes Commercial

A Stout-AT operated by the Ford Air Transport Service

Enlarge

Although nol related, a fascinating look inside the journey of a 1928 Ford Trimotor

Beside beacons there were concrete arrows pointing the way for aircraft.

By 1925 Airmail had proved to be profitable and Congress opened what was previously a government run service to commercial enterprises.In February 1926 the first taker was the short lived Ford Air Transport Service from Detroit to Cleveland and Chicago. In the following April Charles Lindbergh's Robertson Aircraft Corporation added a St Louis to Chicago route. Next came Boeing with the first international airmail service from Seattle to Victoria, B.C. Canada. By 1927 there were more companies operating, reaching 30 companies by 1929.