In 1935 the Graf Zeppelin provided a unique service. In a bid to speed up trans-Atlantic mail delivery a system called Catapult Mail was created. Mail sent to New York from Europe could take 10 days. The use of seaplanes and ships shortened the time. A seaplane carrying mail flew out to sea landing near a waiting ship about 150 miles off-shore.. The ship would sail to the destination and catapult another plane 150 miles to the coast. This way shaved 3 days off the trip. For South American mail the shortest distance was Gambia to Brazil, the European mail making it's way south by plane and then using the catapult method. In 1935 mail service was stlled when the intermediary ship needed an overhaul. The Graf Zeppelin filled in making 3 trips from Recife, Brazil to Bathurst, Gambia. Paraguay stepped up and created special transit cancellations for each trip and combined with the dates makes the cover traceable.
This cover is from the third and final flight.
Posted 08/03/2018 12:59 pm
