Jamie O’Bannon

Air express service was set up to allow airlines a revenue source from business customers who generally shipped large parcels. Express labels would be applied showing the origin and destination of the goods as well as the charges or fees required for this service. The Railway Express Agency (R.E.A.) began operations on March 1, 1929 contracting with existing airlines to handle the items.

Harry A. Truby and James T. Schweier were experienced aerophilatelists who saw an opportunity to “send” mail via the air express service. They, along with a few others, would request that covers be sent generally on the first or last day of a particular air express route. The fee for most of these souvenir air express “covers” was $1.00 and would either be “PREPAID” at time of shipment or labeled as “COLLECT” when funds would be required at the destination point. Many covers were sent with postage affixed which was not required. The American Air Mail Catalogue covers the period between September, 1926 and September 1940 and lists only items known to the editors.

Air Mail Express Tracking

U.S. Post Office Department cancels were not required for express covers.

EMS / Registered Air Mail Shipping Rates & Delivery Time: Please note that this list only includes 52 countries that are available for EMS (Express Mail Service) delivery. Countries that are not listed here would have to use Registered Air Mail ( 2 - 4 weeks delivery time ) for US$ 0 - 20 per item / carton. DHL Express Worldwide Airmail Registered (standard service) Shipping Company: DHL Group: Origin: Italian Postal Servie Destiny: National Postal Company of Customer's Country (e.g. For USA will be managed by USPS). Xpresspost-USA and International - Maximum weight is 30 kg (USA) and 20 to 30 kg (depending on the international destination). Handed off to the USPS / other postal administrations as Priority Mail Express / EMS; International Parcel - Air and surface.

Usps Express Air Mail

American Air Mail Catalogue Sixth Edition Volume One pp 106-120