On 20 September 1928, Germany issued its first set of airmail stamps depicting the
Graf Zeppelin, L.Z.127, flying over the Earth.
The 2 RM stamp covered the postage for cards sent to America, and the 4 RM stamp covered the cost of covers to the same.
On 26 April 1930, Germany introduced a new special issue for the first South American flight of L.Z. 127. The first South American flight left Friedrichshafen on 15 May 1930, for stops in Sevilla, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Lakehurst, Sevilla, and returning to Friedrichshafen.
In May 1931, a new L.Z.127 stamp was introduced at a lower value of 1 RM. This value was primarily used on shorter European flights, or as supplemental postage on longer voyages. It is cataloged by Scott as part of the initial, unoverprinted set, but separately by Michel.
On 10 July 1931, Germany issued another L.Z.127 overprint, this time on the occasion of the L.Z.127's flight to the North Pole. The polar flight left Friedrichshafen on 24 July 1931, with stops in Berlin-Staaken, Leningrad, Franz-Josef-Land, Berlin-Tempelhof, and returning to Friedrichshafen.
And finally, 25 September 1933, Germany issued this set for the 50th ocean crossing of the L.Z.127, this time to the World's Fair in Chicago. The flight departed Friedrichshafen on 14 October 1933, for stops in Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Recife, Miami, Akron, Chicago, Akron, Sevilla, and returning to Friedrichshafen.
Posted 10/04/2012 07:18 am
