Via Graf Zeppelin

There is a big difference between Airmail covers and flight covers. Airmail covers of course can be commercial covers, a solo use Jenny paying the correct rate is commercial. Flight covers are automatically philatelic by definition as they were created as a memento / collectible item through special markings to commemorate an occasion.

Example similar to the one shown above.

Great cover eaglebub

Quite a nice array of stamps and I also like the "Lakehurst" cancellation too and that location is a pivotal one in history too.

Chimo

Bujutsu

Stallzer

That is a fantastic cover too. Really fancy to say the least.

Chimo

Bujutsu

that is very nice stallzer!

Below is the other cover I mentioned. To me, not as nice, but then again being a NewB, what do I know.

It's a great cover ! And to think that it flew on the exact same Zeppelin (LZ127) as the cover posted above. Quite possibly in the same Mailbag.

eaglebub7,

Here's a little info on the flight on which your cover traveled.

The LZ-127 left Lakehurst on 7 August 1929 for a round-the-world trip ending 4 September 1929, with stops in Friedrichshafen, Tokyo, Los Angeles, Lakehurst, and terminating in Friedrichshafen.

Chart shows: Trip number | Start Day/Time | End Day/Time | Travel time | km | km/h | Trip From/To | Comments



For American mail on the trip, a purple confirmation stamp was affixed:



Upon arrival back in Lakehurst, an arrival stamp was affixed (barely visible on yours, inverted at bottom left -- can't make out the date, but should be 29 Aug).

PostmasterGS, very cool information and yes, if I blow the return arrival stamp up in paint, I can barely make out the date as shown on sample, thanks so much!

Postmaster - I found this thread through a search for Zeppelin Cancel. I found this cancel in a recent purchase. Same as your cancel image above. What do you think?

southpaw,

I can't vouch for the US mailing rate, but the cachet appears correct.

So as I understand it, this was a portion of the mailing on the back. The front side would have had more postage and other stamps? Wondering why somebody would cut up an entire.

It might have been damaged. And this flight is a common one as well.

Woah I love it! That bi-plane Air Mail hand-stamp on the back is also rather unique. I know of a club that specializes in those and I've never seen that particular one...might pay to take a closer look..but there is a LOT to look at on that amazing cover! Congrats. -Jeff

To answer the question about regular commercial air mail being flown on the Zeppelins the answer is absolutely it was. For example, in 1935 the Graf Zeppelin flew 16 regular mail and passenger carrying flights to South America in addition to its special flights that year.