E1401

Igor Sikorsky

Aeronautic Engineer

Collins Cover Announcement 

IGOR SIKORSKY

36 Cent Airmail

The hand-painted cachet is an "entire" that shows Sikorsky, inventor of the helicopter, flying his craft above a town of multi-colored buildings, tree lined streets, and expansive green lawns. One of the rotor blades of the helicopter stretches diagonally across the entire cover from upper right to lower left. The early "chopper" is a strange looking animal with an open frame and Igor piloting the single person aircraft in his overcoat and familiar hat.

Two cancels were obtained for this issue. A bullseye from the official city of Stratford, Connecticut ties one of the thirty-six cent stamps. The other is canceled at New London, Connecticut. I chose New London because of its affiliation with the Coast Guard -- a service that uses the helicopter extensively in its various missions.

A bold airmail FDC honoring the inventor of the helicoptor -- Igor Sikorsky. Item #E1401 - $8.75.