1959 USA Airmail Rocket Mail Cover USS Barbero Submarine to Quito Ecuador

Item Specifics

Country

United States

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Condition: used excellent condition

Grade: Ungraded
Up for Auction. Priced to Sell. Excellent Condition. Rocket mail cover mailed on the historic launch on a cruise missile fired by the USS Barbero a US Navy submarine.On June 8, 1959, the USS Barbero, a US Navy submarine, launched a Regulus I cruise missile carrying 3,000 pieces of mail, marking the first and only official "Missile Mail" run by the US Postal Service. The missile, stripped of its nuclear warhead, successfully delivered the mail to Mayport, Florida, near Jacksonville, in approximately 22 minutes. While not a practical solution for mail delivery, the experiment demonstrated the accuracy of US missiles and highlighted the pioneering spirit of the Post Office Department in exploring faster mail delivery methodsVery scarce cover in excellent condition. addressed to the director of posts in Quito Ecuador. Whether it ever made it to Ecuador is unknown as it does not have any backstamps indicating it traversed the mail system. More likely than not, given its unique nature, it was mailed inside another envelope.

Seller Information

Seller

AztecCollectables (3470)

Registered Since

11/23/2011

Feedback

99.7%

Store

Aztec Collectables

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Item Location

Florida, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No