OBJECT SHOWCASE: Contract Airmail Routes (CAMs)

The original contract airmail routes, commonly known as CAMs, were determined by postal officials and let to bidders. The first five CAM routes were contracted in 1925 to Colonial Air Transport, Inc. (Boston to New York); Robertson Aircraft Corp. (Chicago to St. Louis); National Air Transport, Inc. (Chicago to Dallas); Western Air Express, Inc. (Salt Lake City to Los Angeles); and Walter T. Varney (Elko, Nevada, to Pasco, Washington). Contracted airmail service proceeded slowly over the next couple of years. The U.S. Air Mail Service retained control of the transcontinental New York – San Francisco route making its last flight on that route September 9, 1927.

The Museum has a wide selection of CAM covers in its collection.

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