The envelopes seen below were flown from Barrow following the dedication of a memorial to Wiley Post and Will Rogers. The men had been killed while attempting to take off from a tidal lagoon near Barrow. Wiley Post, one of the most famous aviators in the world at the time, was flying the bright red Lockheed Orion Sirius Explorer on floats. Most experts now believe that a combination of miscalculations in the design and operation of the heavily customized aircraft resulted in the uncontrollable spin that occurred right after takeoff.

More About Wiley Post & Will Rogers

The cover below had the following insert:

Barrow, Alaska, August 15, 1938
Your order helped make possible the Rogers-Post Memorial Marker dedicated today. At the last minute it was decided to have printed some WILL ROGERS envelopes, with a fine drawing of him alone, to be mailed at Barrow direct to Claremore, Oklahoma. The inscription says, "This cover mailed at Barrow, Alaska, near the place of death of Will Rogers, August 15, 1938. Third anniversary and Memorial Marker Dedication Day. Back cancel at Claremore, Oklahoma, near place of birth, November 4, 1938. 59th Anniversary of birth date, and Dedication Day of Oklahoma State Will Rogers Memorial." These will be the only covers for Rogers alone bearing both birth and death dates on the two dedication Days. You will undoubtedly want some for yourself and friends. The price is FIFTY CENTS EACH, necessitated by the additional expense involved. Because of limited number, orders should be sent at once to ROGERS-POST EXPEDITION, care Earl Wheeler, Assistant Postmaster, CLAREMORE, OKLAHOMA. You will receive orders after November 4th.
HOMER FLINT KELLEMS, Director