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On September 18, 1997, the USPS issued a stamp to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force. This anniversary covers the years from 1947 when the Air Force became its own independent service branch to 1997. Shown here is a First Day Cover, an envelope with the new stamp cancelled from the city of issue (Washington DC) on the first day of issue captioned above.
The addition of the four older stamps , which were cancelled along with the new stamp depicting the Thunderbirds, elevate this first day cover to a Combo. The older stamps commemorate the 1st 50th Anniversary of the Air Force, from its inception as part of the Army Air Corps to 1947; the return of veterans at the end of WWII; Claire Chennault and The Flying Tigers; and, lastly, 'Hap' Arnold, the 'Father of the Air Force.'
The full-color cachet (artwork on the envelope) features a single-engine prop plane and a modern stealth bomber. The cover has all the 'bells & whistles'....five great stamps, a beautiful cachet rendered in water colors, and a historic event to commemorate....it doesn't get any better than this.
Double matted in blue & white, it's sized to fit a standard 8 x 10 picture frame. ***CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY INCLUDED***
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