American Air Mail Society
Founded 1923
Download this Collecting Airmail Booklet
Cheryl Ganz
Note: See exhibits of “Jenny airmail 100 years”
Airmail collectors, or aerophilatelists, come from all walks of life throughout the world. They all share a passion for aviation and its impact on worldwide communications. Many are pilots, work in the aircraft industry, serve in aviation in the armed forces, or have other direct connections to flight. Others were stamp collectors as children and returned to philately, now seeking a specialty that offers new challenges and knowledge. Some are advanced philatelists of a specific country who wish to research the rates and usages of the airmail stamps of their area of specialization. Yet others began collecting coins or postcards or antiques and discovered that in airmail collecting there is a greater opportunity to meet fellow collectors, exhibit collections, write about discoveries, and share enthusiasm. Museum curators and aviation history buffs find new approaches to their subjects in aerophilately. Whatever influences you toward collecting airmail, you will find great rewards; this area of concentration offers plenty of room for you to create a specialization that is tied to your interests or pursuits. This is a hobby full of fun and great, creative people!
Collecting Airmail was designed to help you enter the field of airmail collecting by having leading American aerophilatelists write about their own collecting interests. The authors share a passion for aerophilately, and together we hope these essays offer an overview of airmail collecting and an inspiration to novice collectors seeking expanded horizons.
Have a great time as you pilot your way through Collecting Airmail. The contents in this guide offer only an introduction to the possibilities of airmail collecting. The sky is the limit! Use your imagination. The members of the American Air Mail Society hope to meet you soon during one of your layovers!
Preparing for Takeoff
Introduces you to the basics of airmail:
Setting the Clock
Provides an overview of the chronological time frames for this past century of flight:
Surveying the Map
Allows you to plot a course by geographical region, route, or airline:
Navigating the Aircraft
Exposes you to some of the means of transport that have become collecting areas of specialization:
Scanning the Horizons
Guides you to additional possibilities for exploration:
Safe Landing
Provides additional knowledge and resources
