USA Transatlantic Air Mail Service First Flight (FAM 18) Cover with 30-Cent Stamp – New York, May 20, 1939
An outstanding piece of history for any discerning airmail or USA collection: an original first-flight cover (FAM 18) from the transatlantic route on May 20, 1939, traveling from the USA to France with subsequent forwarding to Germany.
Historical Background & Features:
• Route: New York (USA) via Marseille (France) to Ruhland (Germany).
• Postage: Correctly franked with the legendary 30-cent transatlantic airmail stamp (Scott No. C24) "Trans-Atlantic Air Mail."
• Front Postmarks: Machine postmark "NEW YORK N.Y." dated May 20, 1939 (9 AM), alongside the distinctive blue special cachet "FIRST FLIGHT FAM 18 - TRANS-ATLANTIC AIR MAIL SERVICE" featuring the Statue of Liberty and an airplane. Handwritten routing instruction: "Via Marseille."
• Back Postmark: Rare French first-flight arrival postmark "MARSEILLE GARE AVION" dated May 22, 1939—documenting the rapid two-day transit across the Atlantic.
• Sender: F. Huttemein, New York.
• Recipient: Addressed to Mr. Georg Kress, Grube Victoria 3 near Ruhland (Lower Lusatia).
Condition:
A genuine commercial cover/first-flight cover in very good condition, bearing period-appropriate patina. The postmark impressions are clean, clear, and highly legible. A fine example of early civil aviation history. Note: You will receive the exact historical document shown in the product images (front and back).
