E3101

General William “Billy” L. Mitchell

Aviation Pioneer

Collins Cover Announcements 

GENERAL WILLIAM "BILLY" MITCHELL

"Be an American Eagle!"

The hand painted cachet on this First Day Cover can best be described by one word. It is a GEM!

Billy Mitchell was a World War I hero in the Army Air Corps. He is depicted on this cover in his uniform of with the-distinctive-campaign hat. He-makes -a--handsome--figure; The-most-dramatic part of the cachet is taken, in part, from an Army recruiting poster. In it an American bald eagle decisively defeats its German counterpart. In the sky overhead, vintage warplanes fly toward the fray. To the lower right, an appeal is made to "Join the Army Air Service. Be an American Eagle!"

There is a small bit of my personal history tied to this American hero. Mitchell Field (now closed by budget cuts) was a military base on Long Island, New York named in General Mitchell's honor. During my high school years, I was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and one summer I spent two weeks there undergoing aviation training, including a fair amount of flying time. It was my experience there, at Mitchell Field, that first pointed me toward enlisting in the Air Force upon my graduation from Butler High School in 1961. It was a decision I've never regretted.

I offered my "Eddie Rickenbacker" cover (F2501) in 1995. It quickly sold out. He was also a World War I aviation hero. There are many military and aviation collectors, and this early period of the U.S. Army Air Corps is very appealing. It also fits into the Americana and patriotic collecting categories. With all of this in mind, I want all of you to know that this cover will most likely sell out quite quickly. You'll want the "Be an American Eagle!" cachet in your collection. It is destined to become a very sought-after item. Billy Mitchell - Item #E3101 - $12.25.

Spring 2020 Mail Sale Commentary 

Lot 27 E3101 — Billy Mitchell  (7-30-99)

This stamp is in tribute to the famous World War I fighter pilot Billy Mitchell. The hand painted cachet is based on a recruitment poster showing an American eagle overpowering a German hawk. A squadron of bi-planes is passing overhead, and the poster message says, "Join the Army Air Service — Be an American Eagle. " A full-length portrayal of Billy completes the design. It's a tremendous military cachet.