Billy Mitchell, one of the founders of the U.S. Air Force, is hailed on a new 55-cent self-adhesive U.S. stamp. It is good for international postage on letters weighing no more than 1 ounce to Canada and for postcards mailed to countries other than Canada and Mexico.
The new offering features a portrait of Mitchell and a rendering of the SPAD XVI aircraft, a two-seat reconnaissance plane which he used as a commander of the American Expeditionary Force Aviation Program during World War I. Mitchell (1879-1936) was considered the first major proponent of air power in the United States.Mitchell was the first U.S. officer to fly over enemy lines. Returning home a much-decorated hero in March 1919, he was made assistant chief of air service.
First-day-of-issue postmarks are available by mail for the stamp. You may purchase the stamp at your local post office starting July 30, affix the stamp to your envelope, address the envelope and place in a larger one, addressed to: Billy Mitchell Definitive Stamp, Postmaster, P.O. Box 5066, Milwaukee, WI 53201-9991. Requests must postmarked by Aug. 29.
The U.S. Postal Service's Stamp Fulfillment Service also offers first day covers for the Mitchell stamp postmarked with the official first day of issue cancellation. Call 800-STAMP-24.
RIO GRANDE RIVER: A new international rate stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service depicts the scenic Rio Grande River, which runs in parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico.
The 40-cent rate on the stamp is for mailing postcards to Mexico.
First day of issue postmarks are available for the Rio Grande stamp. You may buy the stamp at your local post office beginning July 30, affix the stamp to your envelope, address the envelope, and place in a larger one addressed to: Rio Grande Definitive Stamp, Postmaster, P.O. Box 5066, Milwaukee, WI 53201-5066. Requests must be postmarked by Aug. 29.