60th Anniversary First Day of Issue Ceremony is one for the History Books!
Thank you to all that were able to attend the historic RILP - First Day Ceremony. Having a duel celebration of Rattlesnake Island Local Post's big 60 and the Ford
Tri-Motor's Centennial Anniversary was the perfect ceremony. Another beautiful
day at Rattlesnake Island as well as an awesome flight on a Tin Goose. It started
with an overnight stay on Rattlesnake Island where a dozen and a half seasonal
workers enjoyed the rare opportunity to send postcards to family in various countries
from the USA's only airmail local post. After all of the FDC's were completed it was
off to Port Clinton by means of Griffing Flying Service in midmorning of the 27th.
Then back up in the air with the FDC's on a noon flight in the Tri-Motor. We flew
back over to Rattlesnake Island and encompassed the island twice. Once counter- clockwise and then clockwise so everyone would get great pictures. Then it was back
to the Liberty Aviation Museum for the 2:00pm ceremony.
Once inside two USPS employees were eagerly waiting to hand cancel the FDC's that flew around Lake Erie a couple of times with the special pictorial postmark.
The First Day Ceremony was emceed by the president & CEO of Scott Stamp, LLC - Jay Bigalke.
After a wonderful talk on "why does RILP matter today & we're making tomorrow's history",
he introduced Jody Brausch the president of the Tri-Motor Heritage Foundation. Jody's wonderful
power point presentation shared the history of airmail and the Lake Erie Islands. Next up was former Island Airlines' pilot, Ed Rusch who continued the airmail story featuring the importance of the Tri-Motors and the Island Airlines. Ed also broke the wonderful news that a 3rd Tri-Motor, which was the 1st & last Tri-Motor to service the Lake Erie Isands will be housed at the museum and finish restoration. For the first time in many decades, there will be a fleet of 3 Tri-Motors as it had been in early days.
Beth Gregerson then brought the history of RILP into the 2007 - 2010 era with Dr. James Frackelton selecting her to design the stamps for those years. Then the disappointing end to the
local post, so she thought. After a 12 year hiatus in RILP issues, Dave contacted her in 2022 and asked if she would be interested in designing RILP stamps again. Finally Dave Gill stepped up
to the podium and brought us to 2026 and explained the process to how the 2026 stamps and FDC's
were made. From conception of the stamp theme to design ideas. Then on to the printing and
to perforating on the 1930's Roseback Inline Perforating Machine present to see first hand.
And for the finally, Dave talked about the special anniversary inverted Tin Goose $2.00 stamp.
Only one press sheet of 120 stamps (6 sheets x 20 per) were made and each position has a pencil
number on the back. Only 80 stamps are available to be purchased in 2026. The price is $200.00
for each stamp and a strict limit of one stamp per person. Please email if you have interest in any
of the few remaining invert error stamps.
Thank you to all that have purchased RILP stamps and FDC's as you are helping to keep this unique historic local post operating. May we look forward to the 75 year diamond anniversary!
Dave Gill - RILP-PMG
Below are the 3 speakers prior to Beth and Dave's appearances.
Thanks for sharing the information on this event. I love the stamps