The Graf Zeppelin was a German airship that flew from 1928 to 1937. During that period, it flew over a million miles on 590 flights, the most famous of which was the “Pan-American Flight” of 1930. The United States issued three stamps for the flight in denominations of $0.65, $1.30 and $2.60, with the first day of issue being 19 April 1930. A million sets were produced but only about 7% of the stamps were sold because, during the height of the Great Depression, the cost was excessive for most collectors (i.e., about $120 in today’s dollars at a 3.5% inflation rate). Hence, only 326 “first day” covers were prepared. This presentation will explain:
(a) stamp production and the quantity issued of each value,
(b) plate positions and markings,
(c) the flight plan,
(d) the flight schedule,
(e) rates and census data for letters and cards carried on each flight leg,
(f) the various cachets and markings applied to the mail.
Acquiring a set of these stamps is, for many collectors, the ultimate achievement, and this presentation will illustrate rare proofs, the individual stamps – including position pieces, plate blocks, and full panes – first day covers, unusual flight covers, catapult mail, under-franked covers, covers arriving too late for the flight, and rare covers bearing the stamps of multiple countries.
