US airmail service inaugural event documents
August 16, 1920, was a monumental day for St. Louisans—it marked the start of airmail postal service between the city and Chicago. For a fee of 2 cents per ounce, a letter postmarked by 9:00am in St. Louis could arrive in Chicago by 1:30pm the same day. Excitement was so great over this new service that the inaugural event included five speeches, and the printed program listed the names of everyone mailing a letter on the first flight.
Object Title and Accession Number
Invitation, program, and chronological record of ceremonies inaugurating US airmail service from Forest Park Aerial Field. St. Louis, August 16, 1920. A0012-28136.
Title page of a phamplet for the inauguration of the U.S. Air-Mail Service at Forest Park Aerial Field. Event on August 16, 1920, at 8:30 AM in St. Louis, Missouri, under the direction of Otto Praeger, Second Assistant Postmaster General. Illustration of a biplane.
Page of a phamplet titled "Program of Ceremonies" for the inauguration of an aerial mail service from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois, dated August 16, 1920, detailing the event's schedule and speakers.
Page of a phamplet titled "The Chronological Record" detailing the establishment of aerial mail service from St. Louis, Missouri, to Chicago, Illinois. It outlines historical milestones and key figures involved in the process.
Page of a phamplet outlining the formation of an Aerial Mail Service in Saint Louis. It discusses communications from authorities and business leaders regarding the service’s launch and logistics. A note at the bottom mentions postage requirements.