This complete set of 2 stamps was issued in conjunction with the International Civil Aeronautics Conference held at Washington, D.C. The design on the 2¢ stamp shows the aircraft used by the Wright Brothers in the first successful flight of heavier than air, powered aircraft. The stamp commemorates the 25th anniversary of this first manned flight. Pictured on the 5¢ stamp is a rotary engine monoplane similar to the Spirit of St. Louis plane flown by Charles Lindbergh, who was honored at the conference.  Because the Civil Aeronautics stamps pictured airplanes, postmasters often confused them for airmail stamps, marking countless letters “postage due.”

 

The International Civil Aeronautics Conference stamps were voted #93 in the 100 Greatest American Stamps book.

 

The 1928 Civil Aeronautics Conference was likely first suggested by President Calvin Coolidge. One of the most anticipated guests was Orville Wright, as the conference was held just a few days before the 25th anniversary of their first manned flight. Another aeronautic hero, Charles Lindbergh, also attended the event. The conference also hosted 200 representatives from 50 countries who participated in “meetings, conferences, lectures, discussions, and a general exchange of aeronautic ideas [as well as] official and unofficial dinners, banquets, entertainments and sightseeing tours.”