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Wright Brothers Tribute May 19 1938 Kitty Hawk Dayton Backstamp
OVERVIEW
Offered is an original 1938 National Air Mail Week commemorative flight cover mailed from Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, and backstamped at Dayton, Ohio.
This historically significant pairing links the site of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight with their hometown during the nationwide 1938 Air Mail Week celebration.
The illustrated cachet specifically references the commemorative flight between Kitty Hawk and Dayton, making this a highly desirable Wright Brothers aviation tribute cover.
STAMP AND FRANKING DETAILS
The cover is franked with a United States Scott C23 6-cent Eagle Airmail stamp. Printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in striking blue and carmine rose, the stamp correctly pays the domestic airmail rate of the era and is perfectly tied by the origin circular datestamp.
POSTMARKS AND POSTAL MARKINGS
The origin circular datestamp reads Kitty Hawk N.C. May 19 1938 at 11 AM.
The reverse bears a receiving backstamp from Dayton Ohio dated May 21 1938 at 6 PM.
These are correct and highly desirable matched flight markings confirming the Kitty Hawk to Dayton commemorative Air Mail Week routing, representing exactly the type of documentation Wright Brothers and aviation postal history collectors look for.
CACHET AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The purple illustrated cachet is the official National Air Mail Week commemorative design referencing the Wright Brothers' flight heritage.
The vignette depicts a stylized aircraft above a memorial monument framed by laurel wreaths, symbolizing aviation achievement and national recognition.
The text explicitly reads First National Air Mail Week and notes the commemorative flight from Kitty Hawk to Dayton in honor of the Wright Brothers.
This deliberate pairing connects the site of the first powered flight with the inventors' hometown, all while celebrating the 20th anniversary of regular United States airmail service.
The wreath motif represents commemoration, while the aircraft imagery emphasizes the rapid evolution of air mail transportation.
ITEM SPECIFICS
Type: Airmail Event Flight Cover
Country: United States
Year: 1938
Scott Number: C23
Denomination: 6 Cents
Color: Blue and Carmine Rose
Cancel Type: Circular Datestamps
Origin: Kitty Hawk North Carolina
Date: May 19 1938
Backstamp: Dayton Ohio May 21 1938
Topic: National Air Mail Week
Theme: Wright Brothers Aviation
Route: Kitty Hawk to Dayton
Era: 1930s
Quality: Postally Used
Grade: Ungraded
Certification: Uncertified
Custom SKU: US-1938-KITTY-HAWK-DAYTON-C23
CONDITION
Original 1938 flown commemorative cover showing light toning and age wear consistent with the period and postal transit.
Reverse flap discoloration is present.
The cachet is strong and clear, while the stamp is firmly tied and intact.
Both the Kitty Hawk origin and Dayton backstamp are fully legible.
Please review all high-resolution images for exact condition details.
