Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

1933 (15 July), around the world solo flight by Wiley Post, small cacheted cover franked with 8c air mail stamp, addressed to A. Wittnauer Co. of New York, with an additional 8c added on arrival (Aug. 3), signed by Wiley Post, v.f. This American pilot in his plane "Winnie Mae", flew solo around the world, a distance of 15,596 miles in seven days, breaking all records. After the record-setting flight, Post wanted to open his own aeronautical school, but could not raise enough financial support because of doubts many had about his rural background and limited formal education. Motivated by his detractors, Post decided to attempt a solo flight around the world and to break his previous speed record. He improved his aircraft by installing an autopilot device and a radio direction finder that were in their final stages of development by the Sperry Gyroscope Company and the United States Army. A rarity, only five covers were carried on this flight, which was the first solo flight around the world -