1911, 25c Black, Rodgers "Vin
Fiz", Unofficial Air Post (CL2, AAMC 2). Cut close as always with tiny
piece out at top, affixed to back of flown cover and tied by "Oakland
Cal. Nov. 6 8:30AM Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco 1915"
receiving machine cancel, address side with 1c Green (374) tied by
"Imperial Junction Cal. Nov. 4, 1911 A.M." circular datestamp, addressed to
Miss Rosa Benicia Stone, Oakland Cal., Deming N.M. grocer's printed corner
card, cover roughly opened at right, small tear at bottom and few small
waterstains, all clear of stamps and markingsVERY FINE. OF THE TWELVE RECORDED EXAMPLES (EIGHT ON MAIL) OF THE VIN FIZ, THIS IS THE ONLY VIN FIZ STAMP KNOWN ON AN ENVELOPE. IN THIS RESPECT, THE COVER IS UNIQUE AND AN IMPORTANT ARTIFACT OF THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL TRANSCONTINENTAL FLIGHT.
With photocopy of original letter reading "Deming, New Mexico, October 30, 1911, My Dear Benicia: I have hurried in from the lightning place of the Vin Fiz to mail this letter to you. I am somewhat nervous, but the airship is not at all so. It came in at 12:30 and after circling the city, settled on the show ground. Tell your uncle Dick and he will tell you where that is. Love to all, and I wish that I could come with the letter. Lovingly, Aunt Sallie". The cover began its journey on Oct. 30 at Deming, and made stops in Lordsburgh N.M. (Oct. 30), Willlcox Ariz (Oct. 31), Tucson and Maricopa Ariz. (Nov. 1), Phoenix and Stoval Ariz. (Nov. 2) and Imperial Junction Cal. (Nov. 3). From there, it was forwarded by ground transportation to Oakland.
Our updated census of the Vin Fiz can be viewed at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/enc/census/c12/c12.htm
The lot also includes two unused Vin Fiz postcards with pictures of Rodgers and the Vin Fiz in flight and Rodgers and Vin Fiz crash debris at Middletown N.Y.
Scott Retail and AAMC value (Image)