About This Stamp
The first airmail stamps were issued in 1918. The U.S. Airmail Service was born that year, when two Curtiss Jenny airplanes departed from New York and Washington.
The Act of May 6, 1918, authorized the Post Office Department to carry the mail by airplane. This ruling necessitated a new stamp — one of distinctive design and color. A red frame and blue vignette on white paper created a patriotic red, white, and blue airmail issue (the 24-cent Curtiss Jenny). The airmail rate was set at 24-cents per ounce.
In accordance with a new order in June of 1918, the airmail rate was reduced to 16 cents for up to the first ounce (this charge included a special delivery fee) and 6 cents for each additional ounce. This rate change produced a new stamp which reflected the same design as the original, but was done in only one color instead of three (the 16-cent Curtiss Jenny).
In the latter part of 1918, the airmail rate was again reduced. The fee was 6 cents per ounce (eliminating the additional 10-cent special delivery charge of the previous stamp). The original airmail design was used once again, but the single color was changed from green (on the 16-cent issue) to orange (6-cent Curtiss Jenny).