5-Cent Buffalo Balloon Stamps

Perhaps the most enigmatic of all American stamps, the Buffalo balloon stamp is certainly among the premier rarities in aerophilately. The stamp is an accurate representation of the enormous 92,000 cubic foot "Buffalo" balloon of Professor Samuel Archer King (18281914), and was designed by John B. Lillard, a clerk in the Wheeler firm and a passenger on the great flight. Interestingly, the engraver of the stamp was John H. Snively, a scientist who provided apparatus for experiments on the flight.The stamps were printed in tetebeche formatthat is, they are shown right side up and upside down below on one sheet. The Buffalo balloon launched from Nashville, Tennessee, on June 18, 1877. A number of covers were dropped, probably in containing envelopes or drop bags sewn to brightly colored ninefoot streamers.