U.S. #C13
1930 65¢ Zeppelin over Atlantic Ocean
Graf Zeppelin Issue
Issue Date: April 19, 1930
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 93,536
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate printing
Perforations: 11
Color: Green
In 1930, a new issue of airmail stamps was announced. These three sta... more
U.S. #C13
1930 65¢ Zeppelin over Atlantic Ocean
Graf Zeppelin Issue
Issue Date: April 19, 1930
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 93,536
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate printing
Perforations: 11
Color: Green
In 1930, a new issue of airmail stamps was announced. These three stamps were to be used exclusively on mail carried via Graf Zeppelin on its European - Pan American flights.
Graf Zeppelins Issued
On April 19, 1930, three special airmail stamps, the Graf Zeppelins, were made available for sale to be used exclusively on mail carried via the Graf Zeppelin on its European - Pan American flights the following month.
In the 1920s, many nations became aware of the commercial possibilities of transoceanic flight. However, there was only one company willing and able to initiate this service - Germany's Luftschiffbau Zeppelin. Even today this firm's ventures seem daring and visionary.
The story begins after World War I, when the company was stripped of its three airships (two of the ships went to France and one to Italy) and was left to face a war reparations debt of $800,000. In an act of desperation, the company offered to build an airship for the United States as payment of its war debt. The US quickly agreed, but with one stipulation, the dirigible had to successfully complete a transatlantic delivery. On October 15, 1924, after 77 hours over the Atlantic, the LZ-126 arrived at the US Naval Air Station, Lakehurst, New Jersey. It carried 55,714 pieces of mail.
Because of its great success, the Zeppelin Company then planned a trip to the United States by way of Spain and South America. The Graf Zeppelin was to carry mail both ways. The postmaster general decided to issue a new set of stamps for two reasons. The first, and most obvious reason was to cover payment for mail to be sent on the flight. And second, the stamps were intended as a gesture of good will toward Germany.
The Graf Zeppelin stamps went on sale on April 19, 1930, in Washington, D.C. They were then made available for sale at select post offices in other cities two days later. The 65¢ green issue (Zeppelin over the Atlantic) paid the postage for a post card traveling via Graf Zeppelin one way. The $1.30 brown issue (Zeppelin between continents) paid the postage of a letter going one way. The $2.60 blue issue (Zeppelin and globe) paid the postage on a letter going the full route. This included a trip by steamer from New York to Germany, via Spain, to South America and North America.
Though the Graf Zeppelin stamps are beloved today, they didn't sell that well. For starters, they were only available for sale until June 7, 1930 - so just over five weeks. Additionally, the stamps were issued during the Great Depression, so very few people could afford them at the time of issue. The cost of all three stamps was equivalent to a workman's wages for an entire week!
Anticipating collector demand for these stamps to be astronomical, the Post Office Department had the Bureau of Engraving and Printing produce a combined total of 3,260,000 of the stamps. However, sales of all the stamps were poor and about 90% of the total stamps produced were destroyed.
The Zeppelin's journey, for which these stamps were issued, began on May 18, 1930. The Graf Zeppelin was later grounded when the Hindenburg exploded on May 6, 1937. During its service, the Graf established an incredible performance record. It made 590 flights, including 144 ocean crossings, and covered more than one million miles. It carried over 13,000 passengers and 235,300 pounds of mail and freight.
Mystic has the highest grading standards in the stamp world. We never waver from these strict standards and have many internal checks to make sure we don't.
Our skilled stamp graders are trained by experts. Every year they spend thousands of hours grading hundreds of thousands of stamps. They know their stuff.
When you buy stamps from Mystic, you can be sure each one is properly identified and graded according to its condition. Fun fact: We're even recognized by other stamp dealers as having the highest standards!
A quick note about Mystic's stamp grading standards ...
Mystic has the highest grading standards in the stamp world. We never waver from these strict standards and have many internal checks to make sure we don’t.
Our skilled stamp graders are trained by experts. Every year they spend thousands of hours grading hundreds of thousands of stamps. They know their stuff.
When you buy stamps from Mystic, you can be sure each one is properly identified and graded according to its condition. Fun fact: We’re even recognized by other stamp dealers as having the highest standards!
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