The very popular hobby of collecting First Fliight Covers is aptly described in the article written below exert from the Washington Postal Bulletin issued in May 1926.
“When a new air mail route is to be inaugurated philatelists and many others throughout the world send mail in considerable quantities to the postmasters of the offices on the new route, especially the terminal offices, for dispatch on the first flight. The purpose of this, of course, is to obtain first flight covers or envelopes bearing the regular postmark and date, as well as the impression of the special first flight stamp. In view of the value of these envelopes to philatelists, and the fact that these mailings are the source of considerable revenue to the department, it is desired that postmasters and employees concerned give special atten- tion to first flight mail of this character to see not only that it is actually dispatched on the first flight in accordance with the request or instructions appearing on the envelope, regardless of destination as shown by the address, but that it is properly postmarked, stamped, and dated as first- flight mail, and backstamped with date of receipt at all post offices at points of landing. By direction of the Postmaster General.”
