Airmail pilot E. Hamilton Lee

E. Hamilton Lee autographed this photograph of himself in his de Havilland mail airplane. He playfully signed the photograph “to the verst first air mail supt my old boss” on July 7, 1949. The photograph was given to Benjamin Lipsner, the first superintendent of the US Airmail Service. Lee flew off and on for the Post Office Department for most of its 1918-1927 run. After his airmail service ended, Lee flew for United Airlines, retiring from the company in 1949. At the time of his retirement, he had flown longer and farther than any other pilot alive.

Photographer: Unknown

National Postal Museum, Curatorial Photographic Collection

Museum ID: A.2008-3