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Smithsonian sunburst Smithsonian National Postal Museum
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    Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

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    The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

    street map of Postal museum

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  • Airmail flag
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Airmail flag

Object Details

Description
The Post Office Department’s airmail flag shows the red, white, and blue colors of the U.S. and uses the image of a winged globe to emphasize the intended global reach of the service. The Department also placed the winged globe symbol on flight suits and hangars.
Airmail service began in earnest on May 15, 1918, in the United States. The Post Office Department was given charge of the service. The first pilots and airplanes used by the Department were from the U.S. Army Air Corps, but on August 12, 1918, the Department took full control of the service, using its own pilots and mechanics. The original name of the service was the 'Aerial Mail Service'. Over the next few years, the name changed to the 'U.S. Air Mail Service', as is reflected on this flag.
Data Source
National Postal Museum
Date
c. 1924-1926
Object number
0.232972.1
Type
Structures & Furnishings
Medium
silk
Dimensions
Height x Width x Depth (mounted on support): 24 7/8 × 37 5/8 × 1/8 in. (63.18 × 95.57 × 0.32 cm)
Place
United States of America
See more items in
National Postal Museum Collection
Topic
The Roaring Twenties (1920-1929)
Record ID
npm_0.232972.1
Usage
Not determined
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/hm858243c91-e261-44d4-8f25-9a0fa87eeabf
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IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
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HomeSmithsonian National Postal Museum

Plan a Visit

Open daily 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Admission is always free!

2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.
Washington, DC 20002

The museum's main entrance is located on the corner of First Street and Massachusetts Avenue NE. Other entrances have variable hours.

street map of Postal museum

Learn more
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Owney, the Railway Mail Service Mascot

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