Air Mail Special Delivery FDC (Scott Ce1)

I saw this cover on ebay the other day and felt compelled to buy it.

The stamp was designed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and is the first U.S. issue to combine the special delivery (10c) and air mail (6c) rates into a single stamp.

As you can see from the postmark, the stamp was issued on 30August1934 at the American Air Mail Society Convention being held in Chicago. I haven't been able to find out when the AAMS began holding conventions; the organization was established in 1923 so it was likely well before 1934.

Those of you who are really observant will notice that the mailing address of the cover is that of the Chicago Title and Trust Co -- the company established by the addressee on lockumupthrowawaykey's 1882 post card described in this thread: https://goscf.com/t/15161#15161

tomiseksj, I can understand why you were compelled to buy it. it's a beauty. I love that style of airmail cover.
David

David,

It certainly is eye catching. My growing up in Chicagoland probably also had something to do with its appeal. Now if I could only figure out who Paul Wagner is or was.

Steve

Here's its mate. While yours is dated 08/30/1934 from the official "first day of issue" city, mine is the standard 08/31/1934 Washington, DC "first day on sale" cover:

wt1,

I'm sure yours actually traveled by airmail to its intended recipient. I doubt they flew mine around the city before delivering it.

Steve

Actually, I think it probably did based on these backstamps -- both railway mail and airmail cancels:

This arrived in today's mail -- Scott CE2, the companion piece to the cover in the initial post. Just as with the CE1, as soon as I saw it I knew I had to add it to my collection. Fortunately, I was able to get it at a reasonable price. And unlike its predecessor, this one actually entered the mail stream.

CE2 is an incredibly beautiful stamp, isn't it?

Here is my contribution to this thread... I think I have 1 or 2 more covers like this but can't find them at the moment.

ps.. all of mine were in the mail stream, they all have other postmarks on the back...

No nice covers, (at least not yet) but do think nice copies.

I have to agree with KirkS -- the design of the stamp and the coloration on the CE2 make it exceptionally appealing.

Barb, it looks like Daryl has a few extra covers that he may be willing to part with!

What do I love most about these covers?

Their colorful envelopes and interesting cancels?

Being able to own a milestone in US Postal History?

The fact that you can collect these covers for some time and never come across the same exact once twice?

Or the fact that they're so affordable and that Air Mail Special Delivery is the single easiest subsection of the Scott Catalog to complete




and a CE2 cover for good measure.

panda, I don't know.. I see three of the same cover...

"
The fact that you can collect these covers for some time and never come across the same exact once twice?"