Front:
SHINGTOME
22
1988
Ezrth
Domestic USA
U.S.MAIL
DC
Back:
DH4 – E SHEET STAMP
First Day of Issue: March 22, 1988
First Issue Location: Washington, D.C.
From the Pony Express to global communications sys-
tems, the United States Postal Service has sought to
improve its service. Even at the turn of the century, it was
clear, moving the mail meant progress. Thus, almost as
soon as airplanes were invented, they were seen as a way
to speed the mail. By 1918, the first regular airmail service
was set up between New York City and Washington, D.C.
Among the early planes to accomplish the task was the
De Havilland DH4 biplane. Without radios or tracking
devices, control towers or landing strips, daredevil pilots
braved America's airspaces to deliver mail quickly, and
their success was remarkable. Americans came to rely on
airmail as a dependable, fast form of communication -
one that became vital to businesses throughout the coun-
try. Today, airmail provides quick transmission of mail
throughout the world. The E sheet stamp on this Maxi-
mum Card hails progress in worldwide communication
with a most appropriate non-denominated stamp depict-
ing the Earth from outer space.
No. 88-14
©1988 The Maximum Card Collection
A Division of Unicover Corporation • Cheyenne, WY 82008-0007
Original painting by John Swatsley
