Item #22134 The first Air Mail trans-Pacific flights: 'Air Mail Across the Pacific, San Francisco to Hong Kong'. A Pair of posters. Hong Kong, Aviation, Postal History.
The first Air Mail trans-Pacific flights: 'Air Mail Across the Pacific, San Francisco to Hong Kong'. A Pair of posters.

The first Air Mail trans-Pacific flights: 'Air Mail Across the Pacific, San Francisco to Hong Kong'. A Pair of posters.

San Francisco: Printed by the San Francisco Post Office, 1937. Two US post office posters featuring large printed photographs of the Martin M130 flying boat known as the "China Clipper" in mid flight; explaining the first trans-Pacific airmail service, one in English, the second in English and Chinese.

The "China Clipper" made its most famous flight on November 22, 1935 when it flew from San Francisco carrying 58 mail bags weighing 1,837 pounds on the first scheduled air mail service to Manila, Philippines. After a five leg trip the China Clipper landed in Manila on November 29. This was one of the most advanced aircraft of its time and the first to cross the Pacific from San Francisco. The "China Clipper" was named by the founder of Pan American World Airways in October 1935. The first Pacific Clippers flew for almost a year delivering mail before taking passengers; Pan Am derived half its annual revenue from carrying mail.

The first poster with text entirely in English; the second with text in English and Chinese.
Printed flight schedules and postage rates are listed from San Francisco to Hong Kong, Macao, Manila, Guam and Honolulu. Five flights originate from San Francisco, showing flight times ranging from 1 day to 7 days, and postage rates ranging from 20c per half ounce, up to 70c per half ounce for Hong Kong and Macao. Text printed and image printed in black. Printed at the bottom, San Francisco PO 10-12-37 - 200 (copies). 13 1/4 x 16 1/2".

The accompanying poster with title in English, and below the image of the "China Clipper" in mid flight, text in Chinese. Text and image printed in black. Printed at the bottom, San Francisco PO 9-30-37 - (500 copies). 13 x 19" Very good condition. Item #22134

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