Scott #C8 - 1926 15¢ Airmail “Map and Airplane” Mint Plate Block of 6

Scott C8 – 1926 15¢ Airmail Plate Block of 6 -Mint Plate No. 18748

This is a mint plate block of six of Scott C8, the 1926 15-cent U.S. Airmail issue featuring the engraved “Map of the United States and Airplane.” Known for its warm olive-brown color and classic early-flight imagery, this stamp reflects a critical stage in the development of American airmail routes in the mid-1920s. Plate blocks of this issue remain popular with collectors of early airmail material, engraved U.S. classics, and Back-of-Book enthusiasts who focus on plate number multiples.

This example shows Plate No. 18748 on the middle panel of the right side. The block displays with full selvage, clean perforations, and strong engraved impressions. Mint blocks of six are significantly less common than blocks of four and offer excellent visual balance for album display or investment-grade philatelic holdings. The combination of intact selvage, BEP engraving, and the iconic map-and-airplane design gives this piece strong long-term collector appeal.

Key Details

• Scott Number: C8
• Issue Year: 1926
• Denomination: 15¢
• Color: Olive Brown
• Format: Mint Plate Block of 6
• Plate Number: 18748
• Printer: Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP)
• Printing Method: Intaglio (engraved)
• Classification: Airmail, Back-of-Book
• Original gum with fresh appearance
• Excellent for collectors of early U.S. airmail, plate blocks, aviation-themed stamps, and classic BEP issues

Design Notes

• Engraved map of the continental United States with overlaid flight path imagery
• Biplane in flight symbolizing the expansion of national airmail service
• Transitional issue between the earliest 1918 airmails and the later 1920s Lindbergh era
• Highly collectible among specialists focusing on 1920s airmail routes, intaglio design, and historic postal services

Collector Appeal

• Strong choice for plate block collectors and airmail specialists
• Increasingly uncommon in clean, mint blocks larger than four
• Sought after for aviation history, postal history, and Back-of-Book plate block exhibits
• Displays beautifully in albums or framed presentations