First Airmail Attempt Deflating

Neither rain nor snow nor sleet may keep your postman from his appointed rounds, but uncooperative winds kept the first airmail letter from going anywhere.

On August 17, 1859, the postmaster of Lafayette, Indiana handed balloon pilot John Wise a locked bag of 123 letters bound for New York City on what was to have been the first airmail delivery. Although Lafayette lay in the path of the prevailing westerlies, still air in the 90-degree heat that day forced Wise to ascend to 14,000 feet to find wind. The vagaries of nature being what they are, the 5-hour flight carried the balloon 30 miles south, not 500 miles east as intended. So ended America's first airmail flight, according to a recent article in Smithsonian Magazine. In case you're wondering, the mail did arrive, though by train!

Stamps commemorate this and other interesting events in postal history. County Stamp Center offers thousands of stamps on every subject imaginable, for beginners and expert collectors alike. Visit our website, enter your topic in our unique search engine, and see what we have to offer. Can't find exactly what you're looking for? Just let our buyer know and we'll find it for you. We pride ourselves on our selection and superior customer service. Visit County Stamp Center today for all your philatelic needs.