As a recent collector of first flight cover, I have some questions.
1. What does the number of each flight indicate. Example R9W24 or. RN25 ?
2. When the same city appears on a schedule more than once on the same day how would I know which cover goes with the first, second, third or fourth entry for that city?
3. I have some covers that indicate CAM-9 and others that use AM-9. Are these interchangeable as long as the number are the same?
I'm surprised that none of the knowledgeable members of this group either don't know the answers to these questions or can't be bothered to respond.
LarryG
Larry, the folks on this board all try to be the first person to answer a question, so in this case I'd say nobody here knows anything about airmail covers. I saw your original question and was hoping to learn the answers myself.
Hi Larry a quick search of the internet gives me the following http://www.aerodacious.com/ccCAM009.HTM
It appears that CAM stands for Contract Air Mail and the number following it is the route.
Perhaps RN and RW refer to Route North or Route West, maybe not.
From the items on Ebay the R9W24 appears to be or is described as Northwest airlines, again as contract air mail.
Hope this helps.
I think readers' problem in answering these questions is the lack of specific reference.
I'll give it a go.
"1. What does the number of each flight indicate. Example R9W24 or. RN25 ?"
First of all, answers are with reference to the American Airmail Catalogue as published by the AAMS. (I am still using the 5th edition) Some 6th edition volumes have been published, but I have not updated all my volumes.
The "R" indicates a "received" cover. I have never paid much attention to the catalogue numbers, but all the "R" numbers seem to be dedicated to covers received at a specific point, as opposed to carried over a specific city to city leg. For example your R9W24 is listed as "To Beloit by Eastbound plane" (on CAM 9). I can't find "RN25". I suspect a route number is missing from that catalogue number.
In general, catalogue numbers are of the form:
Cam Route # / direction / catalogue number i.e. 17N4 Route 17, Toledo to Detroit northbound
"2. When the same city appears on a schedule more than once on the same day how would I know which cover goes with the first, second, third or fourth entry for that city?"
Each of those listings should have two cities (or more) in the listing - start / destination. Also, if there are just two, it is likely the two directions.
"3. I have some covers that indicate CAM-9 and others that use AM-9. Are these interchangeable as long as the number are the same?"
The airmail system was re-organized in 1934. After 1934 they were "Contract Airmail routes". Some of the routes changed -- legs were incorporated into new routes. The AAMS catalogue provides a great deal of detail about this and it can get quite complex.
Hope that helps.
Roy
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"BuckaCover.com - 80,000 covers priced 60c to $1.50- 10,000+ new covers coming Tuesday June 1"
Thanks for the responses. It seems that I better get a AAMS catalog.
By the way Roy, Buckacover has become my first source for airmail covers.
Thank you
LarryG
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