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March 22nd, 2015:

First Trans-Pacific Airmail Flight of Pan Am’s China Clipper – 80th Anniversary

Today my Dad and I had lunch for my birthday and he gave me a birthday bag of goodies. Here are two of the items. He used to work for Pan Am so he still has some memorabilia laying around.

© Frank H. Jump

The China Clipper (NC14716) was the first of three Martin M-130 four-engine flying boats built for Pan American Airways and was used to inaugurate the first commercial transpacific air service from San Francisco to Manila in November, 1935. Built at a cost of $417,000 by the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore, Maryland, it was delivered to Pan Am on October 9, 1935.

Cover flown on the “China Clipper” on the first commercial transpacific flight from Alameda, CA, to Manila, PI (FAM 14) November 22–29, 1935 On November 22, 1935 it took off from Alameda, California in an attempt to deliver the first airmail cargo across the Pacific Ocean. – Wikipedia

© Frank H. Jump

© Frank H. Jump

Cover flown on the “China Clipper” on the first commercial transpacific flight from Alameda, CA, to Manila, PI (FAM 14) November 22–29, 1935 – Wikipedia

In my birthday gift bag my dad gave me, there was also this unused Pan Am matchbook.

© Frank H. Jump

Lion Match Co. — Located in Chicago, IL, known in later years as Lion Corporation of America. It originally started business in 1917, in Brooklyn, NY, and began using the Safety First footer wording in 1922. Today, this company produces a general advertising specialty line. It ceased primary matchcover production in 1995, but still produces advertising specialities. – Matchbook Covers dot com