This 1971 17¢ U.S. Air Mail First Day Cover features the Statue of Liberty definitive stamp, postmarked Lakehurst, New Jersey on July 13, 1971. The Art Craft cachet honors polar explorer Richard E. Byrd and depicts his famous Fokker trimotor aircraft "Josephine Ford."
Byrd's 1926 flight over the North Pole and 1929 flight over the South Pole established him as a pioneering aviator and navigator. His 1927 transatlantic flight further demonstrated the reliability of long-distance air mail routes, directly linking polar exploration with the advancement of U.S. airmail service.
The cachet artwork includes the expedition aircraft's distinctive black-and-yellow livery and lists Byrd's key achievements, making this a strong topical piece for both aviation and polar collectors.
A fine addition to any U.S. airmail or explorer topical collection, this cover remains in clean condition with a crisp first-day cancel and attractive dual-sided design.
