Around the World flight cover
The US Army's Round-the-World flight crew reached Boston on September 6, 1924. A special machine cancellation, which also served as a cachet, was applied to all covers deposited at a special post station established at the Boston airport on each of the two days, September 5 and 6, in preparation for the fliers' arrival.
The aviators completed their flight to Santa Monica by way of Seattle. The special air mail was dispatched by plane to New York to connect with the regular transcontinental service at the point. The fliers carried none of this mail.
This cover bears the "AROUND THE WORLD FLIGHT / UNITED STATES AIR FORCE" cachet on its left hand edge. Addressed to Major Joseph A. Steinmetz at Chicago's University Club, it was postmarked in Boston on September 5. The circular mark reads, "BOSTON MASS. / SEPT 5/ 1924 / AIRPORT STATION." A square with straightline killer bars reads, "BOSTON / FIRST LANDING / in the U.S. of / WORLD FLIERS." The large, magenta-colored double-ring marking confirms that it arrived at the University Club the following day, September 6, at 7:30.
