My First US Zepp Covers

I have been trying to get the mint $2.60 zepp at under $400 but never had the luck. Here are two of of my first cover purchases of the 2 highest face values. I was looking around for all 3 stamps (65 cents, $1.30 and $2.60) on a single cover, but they are hard to come by, so I had to contend with single stamps on cover. I have been tracking the activity on the zepps and realise that they are always hotly bidded. I am not sure where these zepp buyers are from, but I suspect most are from the US.

Awesome covers!

Vahan Mozian was a very well known and knowledgeable dealer in his day.

Very nice. I've been tempted to collect these as well, but I have resisted so far. I note that these are readily available in many auctions, and they almost always seem to find buyers. Its clearly a popular area.

Vahan passed on in 1945, 15 years after he sent out this cover.

The zepps were high face value and collectors were unlikely to overfrank a cover at that price. The full set on a cover is a premium item. $2.60 paid the round-the-world rate. Finding a block of the 0.65 or a pair of the 1.30 is not nearly as difficult.

Overall, there are plenty of zepps available whether mint, used, or on cover. They are not scarce. While original zepp sales numbers were modest, the survival rate is very high.

I read that it costs $3.90 to send a standard letter on a round-trip, or from Lakehurst to Brazil, which covers 2 parts (Lakehurst to friedrich at $1.30, then Friedrich to Rio at $2.60). To add on another 65 cents on top of the full round trip rate of $3.90 (covered by the 2 higher value stamps) is hardly necessary for a standard letter, explaining why it is a rare premium item. I wonder if cover on April 19 would fetch a much higher premium to the later dates or are there just too many going around to make much difference?

The rates depended on how many legs it covered and whether on a card or cover. Explained thoroughly and accurately in the various specialized airmail catalogs. The vast majority of mail went only as far as Lakehurst. I erred above, the Lakehurst to Lakehurst journey does not coincide with the round-trip of Germany to Germany, as the US-origin mail went across the Atlantic by ship to fly only 2/3 of the zepp's round trip. But all the rate/route discussion aside, a full set on cover is hard to find.

The April 19 date is the first day of issue and thus in demand by FDC collectors as well.

Pennyblackie,

Mean looking stuff there. You must be pleased!

Jack Kelley

Here is a single page writeup on the rate and what a round trip entails...

Just checking with you guys, what is the current market rate for a $2.60 zepp envelope used on the first day? I see people asking close to $600.

Flown or not? $600 id fair depending on condition.

$600 flown. Think the seller has increased to just below $700 now. Maybe he is a forum member here...haha

There appears to be many bidders when it comes to US zepps be it just stamps or covers. Curious if these buyers are mainly from the states. Any eBay dealers here to share where most of their buyers are coming from?

Im jealous. Gladly pay you Tuesday April the 43 of a quadruple leaap year (part of it is a line from a song). I have always wanted zepplin stamps since seeing them. Never sseen them in person.

Ireland2018, there are plenty of these stamps going around on eBay, you can buy them easily. However, you really need to find them at the right price which can be a challenge. Many are selling way too high.