Over Water Flight cover
With Chicago postmaster's approval, the Milwaukee Journal newspaper sponsored a ninety-three mile trip - Chicago to Milwaukee — by Farnum T. Fish. Fish departed Cicero Flying Field at 11:06 a.m. and arrived in Milwaukee at 1:24 p.m. His cargo included a 300-pound bundle of silk and a mail sack comprised entirely of several hundred covers being sent by W. Herman Black, the Journal's advertising manager. Authorities in Chicago postmarked the covers at 10:30 a.m.; they bear a Milwaukee backstamp of 3:00 p.m. Fish flew a standard Wright B Flyer and Fish made the over-water flight in record time - two hours and eighteen minutes.
The letters contained an enclosure that read, "Greetings to you and yours, this letter comes to you via the first airship that made the flight between Chicago and Milwaukee. W. Herman Black, Advertising Manager of the Milwaukee Journal." The envelopes had a corner card of the newspaper.
A cachet was applied later to each envelope, as seen in this example addressed to Mr. Phil Carpeles, Carpeles Trunk Company, Milwaukee. It reads, "CARRIED BY FARNUM T. FISH / IN RECORD BREAKING AEROPLANE TRIP / BETWEEN CHICAGO AND MILWAUKEE." The postmark reads, "CHICAGO, ILL. / May 25 / 10:30 A.M. / 1912." A seven-line killer bar with "16" and "D" cancels the 2-cent Washington stamp.
There are presently three known covers from this flight, two held by museums.
