Aerophilately

The study and collection of airmail stamps, covers, and postal history related to mail carried by air.

Aerophilately is the study and collection of stamps and postal history related to airmail. People who enjoy aerophilately collect items like airmail stamps, covers (envelopes), and documents from air mail services.

  • Aerophilately is a special part of philately (the study of stamps), focusing on the history of mail sent by air.
  • Collectors often seek rare airmail covers, which are envelopes with airmail stamps and special cancellations that show the mail was carried by air.
  • One famous aerophilatelic item is the "First Transatlantic Airmail Flight" cover, which was sent across the Atlantic Ocean in 1919
  • Aerophilately also covers mail sent by balloons, airships (Zeppelins), helicopters, and even rockets. These methods of transportation each have their own unique stamps and postal history.
    • Balloon Mail: Gas filled balloons were used for transporting mail in the early 1900s, with special flights carrying letters over long distances
    • Airship (Zeppelin) Mail: Zeppelins, large airships, were used for mail flights, including famous round-the-world journeys in the 1920s
    • Helicopter Mail: Helicopters were used in places where airplanes couldn't land, especially in cities or rugged terrain.
    • Rocket Mail: Though experimental, rocket mail was used to test faster methods of postal delivery in the 1930s

Did You Know?

  • Did you know that the first airmail flight took place in 1911 in India? The mail was carried by plane from Allahabad to Naini and received a special cancel depicting an airplane, mountains, and “First Aerial Post, 1911, U. P. Exhibition Allahabad.”