Postal History: First Flight Cover (FFC) from the inaugural Trans-Pacific Air Mail service. This cover was prepared for philatelic purposes and was postally processed.

Addressed From (Sender - per return address on reverse):
Pub. H.R. Biggs
H & S Chester, MD.

Addressed To (Recipient):
C. Christensen
Sawyer Ave.
Chicago, Ill.
U.S.A.

Cachet:
Prominent purple circular cachet on the front: "FIRST FLIGHT TRANS-PACIFIC F.A.M. ROUTE 14 SAN FRANCISCO HONOLULU (ALAMEDA AIRPORT)". The cachet depicts a Pan American Martin M-130 "China Clipper" flying above a sailing ship.

Postmarks & Transit:

1. Originating Postmark (Front):

   • Location: HONOLULU, HAWAII

   • Date: DEC 5, 1935, 2-PM

2. Transit/Arrival Postmark (Reverse):

   • Location: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.

   • Date: DEC 6, 1935, 1230PM

Travel Time & Distance (Honolulu to San Francisco):

• Travel Time: The "China Clipper" departed Honolulu on December 5th and arrived at Alameda Naval Air Station (San Francisco Bay) on December 6th. The postmarks indicate processing after 2 PM on Dec 5 in Honolulu and by 12:30 PM on Dec 6 in San Francisco, consistent with an overnight flight of approximately 18-21 hours actual flight time.

• Approximate Travel Distance (Honolulu to San Francisco): Approximately 2,400 miles (3,860 km).

Onward Journey:
From San Francisco, the cover was forwarded to its final destination in Chicago, Illinois.

• Approximate Travel Distance (San Francisco to Chicago): Approximately 2,100 miles (3,380 km).

Historical Context for Postmark Dates:

• December 5, 1935 (Honolulu): This date marks the departure of the Pan American Airways "China Clipper" (Martin M-130) from Honolulu on its first eastbound (return) flight of the newly inaugurated Foreign Air Mail Route 14 (FAM 14) service. The inaugural westbound flight had departed Alameda for Manila on November 22, 1935.

• December 6, 1935 (San Francisco): This date marks the arrival of the "China Clipper" at Alameda, California, completing the Honolulu to San Francisco leg of its first return journey.