Title:
Rare 1929 Amelia Earhart Flown "First Flight Over Lake Erie" Air Express Cover – Cleveland to Detroit

Description:
Presented is a rare and historically significant air express cover carried on May 14, 1929, aboard the inaugural amphibious air mail service between Cleveland and Detroit—flown by none other than Amelia Earhart. The front of the envelope bears the stamped inscription:
"First Flight 'Over Lake Erie' / Thompson Aeronautical Corp. / Cleveland – Detroit Route. / Amphibian Service * 5-14-29."
Beneath this, the pilot is identified in blue as “AMELIA EARHART SPECIAL PILOT.”

The envelope includes a 5¢ blue “International Civil Aeronautics Conference” U.S. postage stamp, postmarked in Cleveland on May 14, 1929, and prominently stamped "Railway Express Agency, Inc. – RECEIVED."

The reverse features a vivid, multicolored "1929 National Air Races and Aeronautical Exposition" label from Cleveland, as well as a large yellow American Railway Express Company prepaid shipment label with a May 14, 1929 hand-stamped date and routing information from Cleveland, OH to Detroit, MI. The recipient is listed as J.T. Schweier, with the envelope in well-preserved condition showing only light wear appropriate for its age and transport.

Historical Context:
Amelia Earhart (1897–1937) was one of the most groundbreaking aviators of the 20th century and the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. Before she became a household name for her transatlantic feats, Earhart served in various pioneering aviation roles. In 1929, she was hired as a special pilot by the Thompson Aeronautical Corporation to inaugurate the amphibious airmail service between Cleveland and Detroit, a route that would carry mail and express cargo over Lake Erie.

This particular flight occurred just months before she co-founded the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of female pilots, and participated in the first Women’s Air Derby. Covers carried on Amelia Earhart’s early commercial flights are scarce and highly prized for their association with both aviation history and one of the most admired female figures in American history.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
N/A

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
This exceptional 1929 air mail cover marks a milestone in American aviation and carries direct historical ties to Amelia Earhart's groundbreaking work as a commercial pilot. Its preserved markings, stamps, and documented route make it an extraordinary collectible for philatelists, aviation historians, and admirers of Earhart’s pioneering spirit. A visually compelling and historically rich artifact from the dawn of commercial air transport.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.