The red United States Air Mail Forever stamp was issued August 11, 2018, to mark the centenary of the Post Office Department taking charge of U.S. airmail service. It is an ordinary First-Class Mail Forever stamp with a historical airmail design—not a separate modern airmail postage class.
What the red stamp commemorates
On August 12, 1918, the Post Office Department began operating U.S. airmail. The red stamp’s College Park, Maryland, issue date fell one day before that centenary. It followed a blue companion stamp issued in May 2018 to honor the Army pilots who began regularly scheduled airmail service.
Design and printing
The stamp depicts a Curtiss JN-4H biplane typical of early airmail service. Its engraved-looking design was printed by intaglio, a process that transfers ink from recessed lines in a plate. Dan Gretta designed the stamp and typography; Greg Breeding served as art director.
Official issue specifications
| Issue date | August 11, 2018 |
|---|---|
| First-day city | College Park, Maryland |
| Postage class | First-Class Mail Forever |
| Original format | Pane of 20 |
| Designs | One |
| USPS item number | 477900 |
| Printing | Red intaglio |
Red versus blue airmail stamps
The two 2018 designs are visually identical except for color. The blue issue commemorates the Army pilots and the May 15 start of scheduled service; the red issue marks the Post Office Department’s operation of airmail beginning August 12.
Is the red airmail stamp still valid?
Yes. A genuine unused example remains valid for the current one-ounce domestic First-Class Mail letter rate. The airmail artwork does not restrict it to air transportation or add a special service. Heavier, oversized, square, rigid, or international mail can require additional postage.
Collector and buyer checks
- Confirm red rather than blue when matching the August issue.
- Distinguish an unused pane or single from a postmarked collectible or first-day cover.
- Check for a pane of 20 when a listing claims the complete original format.
- Evaluate condition separately from usable postage value.
For another transportation-history issue, see our train and railroad Forever stamps guide.
Official sources
The USPS stamp announcement provides the issue specifications. The USPS red airmail release explains its historical purpose and relationship to the blue companion.
Official issue information checked September 1, 2026.