airmail

In just two days, enough small donations came in to cover their travel, and the Seattle Chamber of Commerce — another supporter of the campaign — airmailed Ulbrickson a check with the proceeds.

The Inverted Jenny stamp was part of a collection made to mark the start of regular airmail service.

The 24-cent airmail stamp shows a Curtiss Jenny aircraft, printed upside down at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing because of an error.

William Boeing’s namesake company was building seaplanes on South Lake Union in Seattle and found a partner to launch airmail and passenger travel, which eventually broke off as United Airlines.

He had covered the tissue-thin airmail stationary corner to corner with his typing, leaving only a little room for the address.