1930 $1.30 Graf Zeppelin brown

# C14 - 1930 $1.30 Graf Zeppelin brown

$405.00 - $5,250.00
Image Condition Price Qty
641062
Pair on Cover Usually ships within 30 days. Usually ships within 30 days.
$ 995.00
$ 995.00
0
No Image
Mint Plate Block Usually ships within 90 days. Usually ships within 90 days.
$ 5,250.00
$ 5,250.00
1
274139
Mint Stamp(s) Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 590.00
$ 590.00
2
274140
Mint Stamp(s) Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 760.00
$ 760.00
3
274145
Mint Stamp(s) Very Fine, Never Hinged Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 1,090.00
$ 1,090.00
4
274149
Used Single Stamp(s) Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 500.00
$ 500.00
5
274146
Mint Stamp(s) Extra Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 1,065.00
$ 1,065.00
6
857253
Mint Block of 4 Very Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 4,230.00
$ 4,230.00
7
274150
Used Single Stamp(s) Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 645.00
$ 645.00
8
No Image
Used Single Stamp(s) Very Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 775.00
$ 775.00
9
No Image
Unused Stamp(s) small flaws Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 480.00
$ 480.00
10
No Image
Used Stamp(s) small flaws Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 405.00
$ 405.00
11
274141
Mint Stamp(s) Fine, Never Hinged Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 985.00
$ 985.00
12
274144
Mint Stamp(s) Very Fine Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 910.00
$ 910.00
13
274147
Mint Stamp(s) Extra Fine, Never Hinged Ships in 1-3 business days. Ships in 1-3 business days.
$ 1,525.00
$ 1,525.00
14
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U.S. #C14
1930 $1.30 Zeppelin Between Continents
Graf Zeppelin Issue

Issue Date: April 19, 1930
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 72,428
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate printing
Perforations:
11
Color: Brown
 
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.

Click here for more Zeppelin stamps and covers and here for lots of worldwide Zeppelin and balloon stamps.

Read More - Click Here
U.S. #C14
1930 $1.30 Zeppelin Between Continents
Graf Zeppelin Issue

Issue Date: April 19, 1930
City: Washington, DC
Quantity: 72,428
Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing
Printing Method: Flat plate printing
Perforations:
11
Color: Brown
 
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.

Click here for more Zeppelin stamps and covers and here for lots of worldwide Zeppelin and balloon stamps.