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Graf Zeppelin Commemorative 65 C US Postage Stamps

Scott C13 Graf Zeppelin Commemorative 65 C US Postage Stamp on Postcard Flown Aboard First Europe Pan America Round Trip Flight Built in the hangars of Friedrichshafen, and stretching nearly 775 feet in length, the Graf Zeppelin achieved world renown as the first dirigible to cross the Atlantic. Her maiden flight occurred on September 18, 1928; and following this successful flight ant arrival at Lakehurst NJ, a ticker tape parade through New York City was held to honor her captain and the President of Zeppelin corporation, Hugo Eckener. The second claim to fame for the Graf Zeppelin was the first Europe-Pan American round-trip flight in that she made in May 1930, which took only 21 1/3 days to complete. At its three stops, Lakehurst, Los Angeles and Tokyo, the airship drew hundreds of thousands of people to view this marvel of technology. To help subsidize the costs incurred for the world flight, nearly half the funds needed were raised through the issuance of the U.S. Zeppelin stamp series through an agreement with the United States. This special series of air-mail stamps was issued for use on mail matter carried on this flight and includes three stamps in denominations of 65 cents, $1.30, and $2.60. The 65c. and $1.30 values were used for postcards and letters respectively that were carried on the last lap of the journey, i.e., U.S.A. to Seville and Friedrichshafen. The $1.30 and $2.60 values were used for postcards and letters respectively that were carried on the round trip flight, i.e., Friedrichshafen-Friedrichshafen or Seville. Mail to be carried aboard this flight was sent to Germany by boat, and then picked up at Friedrichshafen to be put aboard the Graf Zeppelin. This series of air mail stamps was first placed on sale at the post office in Washington, D.C. and the Philatelic Agency on April 19, 1930, at which time 1,000,000 of each denomination were issued. They remained on sale for 50 days, and were withdrawn from sale in the post offices on June 7, 1930, but continued to be sold in the Philatelic Agency for the benefit of stamp collectors until June 30, 1930, after which date the remaining unsold stamps were destroyed. The stamps are the same shape and size as the air-mail stamps of 1926-27, 75/1000 by 1 84/100 inches. The border design is the same for each stamp, with the necessary change of numerals representing the value. At the top of the stamp in a dark panel are the words ""Graf Zeppelin"" with the words ""Europe-Pan America flight"" directly underneath. At the bottom of the stamp in a dark panel appear the words ""United States postage"" and within circles in both lower corners are the numerals showing the denomination. The green 65-cent airmail stamp portrays the Graf Zeppelin on route across the Atlantic Ocean, heading east towards the European Continent. The brown $1.30 stamp depicts the airship traveling west between Europe and the American Continent, with the names of its destinations printed upon the tiny map. The blue $2.60 stamp displays the Graf Zeppelin passing in front of the globe surrounded by banks of clouds. By 1932, the Zeppelin Company was operating in the black, providing regular flights between her home base in Friedrichshafen, Lakehurst, NJ and Brazil. After the tragic explosion of her sister ship, the Hindenberg, at Lakehurst on May 6, 1937, the Graf Zeppelin returned to Germany, only to fly once more before being dismantled in the spring of 1940. This postcard bears the 65c Graf Zeppelin postage stamp and a Lakehurst NJ cancel dated May 31, 1930 with ""First Europe Pan-America Round Flight"" franking on the rear. Stamp is centered and both stamp and postcard are in excellent condition.