Indian Airmails

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  • Home
  • Pre-1953 Airlines
    • 1911 1st Aerial Post NIC
    • Indian State Air Services >
      • 1929 Karachi - Delhi via Hyderabad & Jodhpur
      • 1931 Last Flight Karachi-Delhi
    • Delhi Flying Club >
      • 1931 Emergency Flight by Delhi Flying Club
      • 1932 Karachi - Delhi
    • Indian Trans-Continental Airways >
      • 1933 Karachi - Calcutta >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Karachi - Calcutta
        • 1933 Westwards: Calcutta to Karachi
      • 1933 Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab
        • 1933 Westwards: Rangoon - Calcutta via Akyab
      • 1933 Karachi - Singapore Extension
      • 1934 Karachi - Australia Extension
      • 1936 Rangoon - Hong Kong
    • Indian National Airways >
      • 1933 Calcutta - Dacca
      • 1933 Rangoon - Calcutta
      • 1934 Karachi - Lahore
      • 1938 Delhi - Lahore
      • 1939 Karachi - Delhi
      • 1940 Karachi - Calcutta
      • 1947 Calcutta - Rangoon
    • Air Services of India Ltd >
      • 1938 Bombay-Kathiawar
      • 1940 Bombay-Amreli
      • 1940 Kolhapur - Bombay
    • Madras Air Taxi Service
    • Experimental & Survey Flights. >
      • 1931 England - Australia Flight >
        • 1st Experimental Flight
        • 2nd Experimental Flight
      • 1938 Flying Boat Coogee
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      • 1949 All Up Internal Air Mail
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    • Himalayan Aviation
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      • 1940 Hyderabad Air Service
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    • 1931 - Karachi - Madras: Route Survey Flight
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    • Trans - Australian
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LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin

Zeppelin Airship LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin
America Flight, 29 October – 1 November 1928
Lakehurst, N.J. to Friedrichshafen
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Air mail postcard cancelled FLINT, MICH, OCT 28, 8.30 AM, and sent on board the Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 from Lakehurst N.J. on 29 October, with an arrival mark on the reverse, FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, LUFTPOST, 1 NOV 28. Also on the front is the Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in purple. Postcard was addressed to Bombay, and has arrival mark on the front, BOMBAY G.P.O., WINDOW, 23 NOV 28.

Zeppelin Airship LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin
​From Friedrichshafen to Bombay 
24 Mar 1929 to 13 Apr 1929

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Airmail cover to Bombay from Germany. FRIEDRICHSHAFEN / LUFTPOST / 24 MAR 29.
​Tied with special cachet LUFTSCHIFF GRAF ZEPPELIN / ORIENTFAHRT 1929.

Orient Flight, 25-28 March 1929
Friedrichshafen to El Ramale and back
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Picture Post Card wrongly addressed to Penang, India.

German One Mark Airmail stamp on a postage cancelled with a Date stamp (TSt) FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Bodensee, LUFTPOST, 24 MAR 29, 10-11N. Also on front is the Confirmation Stamp, LUFTSCHIFF GRAF ZEPPELIN faintly visible on the bottom right corner of the reverse, but hidden because of the similar background colour.

The address for delivery is Messers Diethelm & Co. Ltd., Penang. They were a German trading house with offices in Rangoon, Penang and SIngapore. There is no explaination as to why it was addressed to Penang, India, which is clearly incorrect.

Orient Flight, 25 - 28 March 1929
Friedrichshafen to El Ramale and back
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Michel 18 1 h: Cover posted on board the flight, and dropped at El Ramale.
Then sent onwards to Karachi by Imperial Airways.

German One Mark and another 20 pf. Stamp affixed and cancelled with a Board postmark (BPSt) LUFTSCHIFF GRAF ZEPPELIN, 25.2.1929, ​and a Confiramtion Stamp (BSt) on the flight. The Type II brick red cancellation mark was in steel, and used only on board.

The mail then went by air from Gaza to Basrah, and was delivered at Karachi with an arrival stamp on the reverse, KARACHI, DELY 15 APR 29, 5.45 P.M.

There are two things tha make this cover special; firstly, mail posted on board is rare, and secondly, mail being sent onwards by Imperial Airways is rare. A combination of these two rarities makes this cover even more special.

Zeppelin airship LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin, Orient Flight, 25-28 March 1929
Friedrichshafen to El Ramale and back.
Postcard from Vienna to Karachi.
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Postal stationary card updated with three additional Austrian frankings and cancelled 1 WIEN 1 / * 5F * / 22 III 29. 10, and a Datestamp  cancellation in black 1/1 WIEN 1 / FLUGPOST / a 22 III 29 11 *. Addressed to Karachi, India and with a greyish blue etiquette Mit Flugpost / Par Avion, and an handwritten endorsement in red ink Mit Luftschiff LZ 127 ab Fridrechshafen. Also on the front is a clear strike of the Type I Confirmation stamp in red purple (BSt) LUFTSCHIFF GRAF ZEPPELIN / ORIENTFAHRT 1929 with a drawing of the Pyramids, Sphinx and the airship.
​ 
The cover was handed over to the postal authorities at El Ramale, and then continued it’s journey to Karachi by surface.

1st America Flight, May 16-18 1929 and August 1-4 1929
Friedrichshafen to Lakehurst, New York

Provenance: The Lady Ezra Collection
Romano Auction 1 December 2016, Lot # 981
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The first America flight departed on 16 May 2016, but was interrupted at Cuers. Mail was brought back to Friedrichshafen and then carried on the flight on 1 August 1929. 

The cover is mailed at Friedrichshafen and stamped with the 4 RM Zeppelin stamp, and postmarked Friedrichshafen, 31 JUL 29 (rare date).
Arrival stamp on reverse is NEW YORK, AUG 5 1929, 3 – AM.  From there the cover may have been carried to Calcutta, India, but no postal marks for India delivery appear, so perhaps the cover ended it’s postal journey in Lakehurst, or travelled on the return flight to Gremany.

Confirmation stamp (BSt) in blue was the same on both the above flights.

Round the World Flight
August 7-10 1929, Lakehurst, New York to Friedrichshafen
August 15-19 1929, Friedrichshafen to Tokyo
August 23-26 1929, Tokyo to Los Angeles
August 27-29 1929, Los Angeles to Lakehurst, New York

Provenance: The Lady Ezra Collection
Romano Auction 1 December 2016, Lot # 967
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Cover flown on the New York to Tokyo (via Friedrichshafen), and then sent on to Bombay.
A large Round the World Flight violet Confirmation Stamp, and cover franked with $ 2.05 NHL perfins cancelled HUDSON TREM., SIA, NEW YORK N.Y., AUG 5, 2.30 PM, and arrival mark on reverse, BOMBAY G.P.O., WINDOW, DELY, 16 SEP 29, 8 – A.M.
So, if the cover reached Tokyo on 19 August, it took 28 days for the journey from Tokyo to Bombay, which was perhaps by surface, as compared to 11 days it took from New York to Tokyo.

Swiss Flight (Geneva – Friedrichshafen)
14 September 1930
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The Zeppelin LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin Swiss flight from September 14, 1930. The card was picked up by the airship at Geneva and was flown to Kreuzlingen where the mail was dropped. The mail bags came to Zurich where the Zurich arrival postmark ZURICH, LUFTPOST, 14.IX.30 was applied. The card was then sent to Tutucorin, India by surface, arrival cachet: TUTICORIN, 5 OCT 30.

Graf Zeppelin Egypt Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen to Cairo
Cover sent from Germany to Krishnagiri, South India
​9 - 11 April 1931
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin. flight no. 164.
Cover franked with 2 Reichsmark Zeppelin postage stamp, and tied with Firedrichshappen (Bodensee) 9.4.31 cancellation mark, and Egyptian arrival (SSt) stamp, Graff Zeppelin, Cairo, 11 April 31. Also on the front is a red confirmation stamp (BSt) reading Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin, Agyptenfahrt 1931. Michel 165A) a. III.

Graf Zeppelin Egypt Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen to Cairo
Cover sent from Germany to Calcutta, India
​10 April 1931
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LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin - On Board Postal Stationery & Cancellation.
Cover franked with 2 Reichsmark Zeppelin postage stamp, and tied with LUFTSCHIFF  GRAF ZEPPELIN / 10. 4. 1931 cancellation mark, and Egyptian arrival mark, Graff Zeppelin, Cairo, 11 AR 31. Also on the front is a red confirmation stamp (BSt) reading Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin, Agyptenfahrt 1931.

Graf Zeppelin Pomerania Flight
Flown Friedrichshafen to Settin
Cover sent from s'-Gravenhage (Holland) to Calcutta (India).
​3 May 1931

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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin, flight No. 168.
​Printed flight related post card with franking tied 's-Gravenhage 7.VI.1931. F'hafen departure and Stettin arrival, both on 3.5.31. Arrival cds Park Street Calcutta 25 May 1931, and signed by Stephen Smith on verso with date of arrival. Pommernfahrt (Landing flight to Pommerania) Confirmation Stamp in green. Only 109 items carried (David Feldman - May 3 2013 # 10908)

Graf Zeppelin - Flown Danzig to Friedrichshafen
Cover sent from Danzig (Germany) to Ahmednagar Dist., (India)
31 July - 1 August 1932
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 262A
Printed post card from Danzig (Germany) to Ahmednagar Dist., (India) with addtional postage on reverse. All tied by Danzig Langfuhr, Ausstellung. Flughafen, 31.7.32 cancellation, and registration label with red border, and green rectangular Zeppelin confirmation stamp. On reverse arrival mark Friedrichshafen (Bodensee), 1.8.32, mit Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin Befordert. Long transit and final destination arrival mark on reverse Khedla Parmanand, Ahmednagar Dt., 19 Aug 32. On 10 Pf. crest picture posted with image "Danzig, Great Mill" and updated the cpmplete LUPOSTA series, as well as 10 Pfg Flugpostmarkenfrankatur, tied by airmail stamp exhibition in Gdansk.
​

Extremely rare destination and Versendungsforn (registered) on this flight and possibly UNIQUE, winner of 170 W.

Graf Zeppelin - Kuwait to Brazil
4th South American Flight
​5 - 8 April 1933
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Registered cover (Reg.No. 217) from Kuwait to Brazil via London,
​with mixed Kuwait and Great Britain franking and Berlin connecting cachet.

Graf Zeppelin - Rome Flight to Karachi
​Friedrichshafen - 29 May 1933
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1933, ROMFAHRT, 1 RN red Zeppelin together with 7 other definitive and air mails tied by "FRIEDRICHSHAFEN 29.5.33" to registered airmail cover from "Gottmandingen" addressed for Karachi, British India, endorsed "Zeppelinflug nach Rom" and "Linea areana London - Brindisi - Karachi" on front, red Zeppelin flight cachet on front, Rome machine "arrival" on reverse as well as two Naples date stamps. No
Brindisi or Karachi marks.

4th South America Flight 1933
from F'shafen to Pernambuco via Zeppelin
5 - 8 August 1933
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French India: 1933, 4th South America Flight to Pernambuco, registered cover with mixed franking French Indies 1931 1 Fa 12 Ca and overprinted stamps in 1923 with India airmail in 1929 and rear vignette of MAHE 10 JUIL 1933 via Friedrichshafen and all cancels, fine very rare!!// ZEPPELIN 4th South America Flight: Registered cover from Mahe, French India to Pernambuco bearing mixed franking of French India 1931 1fa. 1ca. and 1923 ovptd. Definite along with India 1929 airmail stamps philately plus vignette on reverse, cancelled INDE/MAHE/10 JUIL 1933 oval d/s, with Friedrichshafen transit cds and red Zeppelin cachet on front, and arrival cds tying Federation International de Philately vignette to back.

Graf Zeppelin - Fourth South American Flight 1933
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover mailed from Karachi (India)
​5 - 8 August 1933

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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No.323.
Registered Cover franked with 9a. 9p. stamps, tied with KARACHI, 24 JLY 33, REG 1 cancellation, and first flown to London where, additional 10d. Postage stamps applied, and cancelled REGISTERED, LONDON, xx xx 33 2. Additional transit mark on reverse, PARIS R.P., 2 8 1933, AVION 3 as well as BERLIN C, 5.8.33 4., with both on reverse. The red circular Connection flight from Berlin stamp MIT LUFTPOST BEFORDERT, BERLIN C2, LUFTPOST MT 5, as well as Confirmation stamp (Bst) for connection flight from Berlin in red DEUTSCHE PUFTPOST, 4 ANSCHLUSSFLUG ZUR SUDAMERIKAF AHRT 4.1933, desLuftschiff  GRAF ZEPPELIN, BERLIN – FRIENDRICHSHAFEN 6. Finally an arrival mark PERNAMBUCO, 5A SECGAO MANHA, 9 VIII 33 7 on verso, and confirmation stamp in red, LUFTSCHIFF GRAF ZEPPELIN, 4 SUDAMERIKAF AHRT 1933 8.

4th South America Flight of Graf Zeppelin LZ 127 return flight from Rio de Janeiro to Friedrichshafen (via Recife)  
​between 10th and 18th August 1933. 

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Cover sent from Asuncion, Paraguay to Nowgong, Bundelkhand, C.P., India.
 
The cover perhaps went by surface from Asuncion (Paraguay) to Buenos Aires (Argentina), then on the Condor service from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro and onwards to Friedrichshafen on the Graf Zeppelin LZ 127. Condor and Zeppelin flights were operated as a syndicate.
 
Biweekly Zeppelin flights were operated from South America, late August through late October 1933. This was the 4th South America Flight of Graf Zeppelin LZ 127 return flight from Rio de Janeiro to Friedrichshafen (via Recife)  between 10th and 18th August 1933.  Rio de Janeiro to Recife (G 325) on 10th and 11th August, and Recife to Friedrichshafen on 12th to 15th August. On the second stage (G 326), the flight carried 110 kg of mail, 21 kg of freight and 16 passengers.
 
From Friedrichshafen on to Munich arriving on 16th August, and then onward delivery is a mystery. It was too late for IE 229 which had left Croydon on 12 August and by 16 August was in Gaza already, and if it connected on the next weekly flight IE 230 which left Croydon on 19 August, it would have landed in Karachi only on 25th August, too late for the Nowgong 24th August delivery. So it probably found an extremely efficient connection via Air France, KLM or Lufthansa. This needs to be researched further.
​Marks applied on front of the cover:

​1.Circular postal cancellation mark in black SCIO AERO-POSTAL / PARAGUAY , 5 – 8. 33 7-8.
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​2.Confirmation mark (BSt) in Black also used as a postal canceller CORREO AEREO POR GRAF ZEPPELIN / REPUBLICA DEL / PARAGUAY / 1933 with an image of the airship.
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​3.Confirmation mark (BSt) in Blue also used as a postal canceller SERVICIO AEREO TRANSATLANTICO / VIA CONDOR-ZEPPELIN / AGOSTO 1933 with a map showing the route from Rio de Janeiro to Friedrichshafen.
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​4.A partial impression of a boxed rectangular cachet in German perhaps applied in Munich to indicate onward airmail journey.
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5.Also pre-printed on the front of the cover is the air mail etiquette VIA AEREA in blue, and typed on top and blow is the legend Certificado / per Graf Zeppelin.
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Marks applied on the reverse of the cover:
​1.Registration label applied at Asuncion, Republica del Paraguay / R N 1902 / Oficina de Asuncion.
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​2.Circular arrival stamp in green FRIEDRICHSHAFEN BODENSEE / MIT LUFTSCHIFF / GRAF ZEPPELIN / BEFORDERT / 15.8.33 – 19
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​3.Circular transit handstamp MUNCHEN / 2BA / 16.8.33 8-9
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​4.Arrival stamp at destination NOWGONG . BUNDELKHAND / REG / 24 AUG 33 / 10 – AM
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​
5.Also traces of a small oblong wax seal.
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Graf Zeppelin - Sixth South American Flight 1933
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover mailed from Alleppey
2 -5 September 1933
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 333
Cover franked with 12 1/2 a. stamps, tied with Alleppey, 8 Aug 33 cancellation, with Zeppelin Special Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in Dk. Blue. Cover sent from Alleppey via Karachi and Brindisi, then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America. Black Friedrichshafen 2.9.33. departure mail and arrival mark Pernambuco 6 IX.33 on front Par Graf Zeppelin and Air Mail Etiquette in Blue. Also on front of the cover is a faint RECOMMANDE cachet in black and cachet in green Via Friedrichshafen Allemange.
​

A study of postage rates, and air schedule will perhaps indicate whether this cover was flown from Karachi on Imperial Airways or Air Orient.

LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin
Sixth South America Flight (Permanbuco-Friedrichshafen on 9-12 September)
From Asuncion, Paraguay to Nowgong, Bundelkhand, Central Provinces, India
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Michel 336 B; Frost 127-193.
 
Air Mail cover sent by registered mail on the 6th South America flight in 1933 of the LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin. The Cover is marked ‘Certificado    / VIA AEREA / per GRAF ZEPPELIN’ and has a registration label ‘R N. 2591 / Oficina de Asuncion’. Franked with four values of Paraguay postage stamps, including three with Zeppelin, including one overprint. Two of these stamps are cancelled by the round Post Special Stamp (Michel SSt) (Frost 127-193con 1 Paraguay, violet), and the other two with the triangular Confirmation Stamp (Michel BSt) in (Frost 127-193 con. 2 Paraguay, violet). Also on front of the cover is a circular date stamp in black SCIO. AEREO POSTAL / PARAGUAY / 2-9.-33. 7-11.
 
Arrival stamp in green on the verso FRIEDRICHSHAFEN BODENSEE / MIT LUFTSCHIFF / GRAF ZEPPELIN / BEFORDERT / 12.9.33 – 14.
 
Finally destination handstamp in black on the front NOWGONG BUNDELKHAND / 1 OCT 33 / 10-AM / REGN.

Graf Zeppelin - Eighth South American Flight 1933
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover mailed from Mahe (India)
30 September - 3 October, 1933
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 343.
Registered Cover franked with 15 1/2 a. stamps, tied with Mahe, 7 Sep 33 cancellation, with Zeppelin Special Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in Violet. Cover sent from Mahe via Karachi and Brindisi, then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America. Black Friedrichshafen 30.9.33. departure stamp on front and arrival mark Pernambuco 4.X.33 on front. Also on front  Par Graf Zeppelin and Air Mail Etiquette in Blue. Also cachet in green Via Friedrichshafen Allemange cachet in green.
​

A study of postage rates, and air schedule will perhaps indicate whether this cover was flown from Karachi on Imperial Airways or Air Orient.

LZ Lufthhansa Zeppelin Time Table 1934
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LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin Germany Flight
Friedrichshafen – Berlin – Koeningberg on 19-20 May 1934
Card mailed on board the airship to Calcutta

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Michel 359c. Card posted on board the Zeppelin airship and addressed to Stephen H. Smith in Calcutta with a message to him on the reverse from Dr. Max Kronstein. Franked with a 50 pf airmail postage stamp and cancelled LUFTSCHIEF GRAF ZEPPELIN / 19.5.34. Also on the front is the Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in red showing the sun and rays shining upon the Graf Zeppelin. In the centre of the sun is the Nazi Swastika with wings and the legend DEUTSCHLANDFAHRT 1934.

Graf Zeppelin - First South American Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover mailed from Pondicherry (India)
26-29 May 1934

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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 362a.
Registered Cover franked with 12 1/2 a. stamps, cancelled Pondicherry, Reg, 28 Apr 34, and tied with Zeppelin Confirmation Stamp (BSt) Friedrichsahfen "Fb", Type Miller 362a. In Red. Cover flown from Pondicherry, and then onward to Paris on the Saigon - Paris Air Union service, then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America. Black Friedrichshafen 26.5.34 departure stamp on front, and arrival mark Pernambuco 29.5.34 on verso. Also on front Par Dirigeable Graf Zeppelin Etiquette in pale blue.

Airship: LZ 127, Graf Zeppelin
3rd South America Flight 1934
From F'shafen to Pernambuco via Zeppelin 
23 - 26 June 1934
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Registered Cover sent from India, addressed to Brazil. On the front are:
  • ALLEPPY, R 33 postal registration label. Also annotated in red ink 33, 9/6.
  • BY AIR MAIL, PAR AVION blue label
  • PAR GRAF ZEPPELIN dark blue label
  • VIA Friedrichshafen, Allemange green handstamp

  The reverse has 12 ½ as. India Postage stamps, tied with ALLEPPY, REG 9 JUN 34. 
Perhaps flew:
  • From Travancore to Bombay on Tata Air Lines
  • From Bombay to Delhi, again on Tata Air Lines
  • From Delhi on 12 June, reaching Karachi on 14 June on Indian Transcontinental Airways (ITCA).
Lloyd’s Weekly Casualty Reports of 22 June 1934 reported: London, June 14. – A Transcontinental Airways liner, westward bound, hit an aerodrome boundary post at Jodhpur while making a landing by night and damaged her fuselage. The Imperial Airways liner Helena, which was waiting at Karachi, fetched the mails and passengers from Jodhpur, and is to leave from Karachi for Basra today. Hence, this cover may have almost missed the connection, or even got destroyed.
  • Leaving Karachi on 14 June, and reaching Brindisi on 16 June on IW 271.
 
Transit mark at Brindisi AMBxxECCE - BRINDSI - PESCARA 59 (G) 16.6.34 XI
 
Post mark at Friedricshafen FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, (BODENSEE), b 23.6.34 19-20 
There are also two indistinct postal marks on the reverse, perhaps dated 17.6. 34 and  19.6.34. Then is the arrival mark at Pernambuco on the front and reverse 5A PERNAMBUCO, SECCAO MANHA 27.VI.34.
 
Catalogue References Frost Item 1). 127 - 204 A, Confirmation Mark 127 - 204 con, violet. Michel Item 370) a, Confirmation Stamp 370

Cherry Stone Auctions - Dec 2014 Lot 792.
Additional information from Commercial Zeppelin Flights to South America
– John Duggan and Jim Grave.
  • Argentina Flight: The 3rd flight of 1934 was the only flight by Zeppelin to a South American nation other than to Brazil.
  • This was also only one of three flights starting 1934 until 1939 to carry a distinctive Staging Cachet. All others used a single design.

Airship: LZ 127, Graf Zeppelin
3rd South America Flight 1934
From Kuwait to Pernambuco, Brazil
23 - 26 June 1934
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1934 Graf Zeppelin Flight picture postcard (Graf Zeppelin) to Brazil from Kuwait,
​with Friedrichshafen and Stuttgart transit mark with Pernambuco arrival.

Graf Zeppelin - Third South America Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover flown from Delhi (India)
23 - 26 June 1934

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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No.370c.
Cover franked with 11 a. stamps, tied with a boxed rectangular cancellation, Support Indian Industries, Delhi, 11 Jun 34, and tied with Zeppelin Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in Violet. Cover flown from Delhi to London on the ITCA/Imperial Airways service, then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America. Transit mark on reverse, Stuttgart, 23.6.34, and black Friedrichshafen 23.6.34 departure stamp on front, and arrival mark Pernambuco 26.6.34 on verso. Also on front by Airship Graf Zeppelin via  London-Overland Etiquette in light brown.
​3a. Stamp has broken frame error around the monarch.

Graf Zeppelin - Sixth South American Flight, 1934
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
18 - 21 August 1934
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 389.
Cover Franked with 11 1/2 a. stamps, tied with rectangular boxed Delhi G.P.O., 31 Jly 34, Buy Post Office Cash Certificates cancellation mark. Also on front is the Zeppelin (Type Fb) Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in red. On reverse is the Stuttgart, 6.8.34 transit stamp. Then onwards to friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America, and black Friedrichshafen 18.8.34 departure stamp on front, and arrival mark Recife (Per) 21 VIII 34 on verso. Also ob front Mit Zeppelin Europa - Sudamerika faded etiquette in brown and another By Air Mail, Par Avion blue etiquette.

Graf Zeppelin - Tenth South American Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover Flown from Kuwait (India used abroad postage stamp)
13 - 16 October 1934
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 410c.
Registered Cover Franked with 9 a. stamps, tied with Kuwait, 28 Sep 34, cancellation mark. Also on front is the Zeppelin Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in red. Cover sent from Kuwait to Bahas, with a Basrah, 1 Oct 34 transit stamp on verso and then by Imperial Airways to Europe, and also on reverse is the Stuttgart, 12.10.34 transit stamp. Then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America, and black Friedrichshafen 13.10.34 departure stamp on front, and arrival mark Pernambuco 17.10.34 on verso. Also on front Via Zeppelin Friedrichshafen Etiquette in light blue.

Graf Zeppelin - Tenth South American Flight
Flown from Friedrichshafen (Germany) to Pernambuco (Brazil)
Cover posted in Mahe (French India)
13 - 16 October 1934
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LZ 127 Air Ship Graf Zeppelin flight No. 410c.
Registered Cover Franked with 23 a. stamps, tied with Mahe, 19 Sep 34, cancellation mark. Also on front is the Zeppelin Confirmation Stamp (BSt) in red. On reverse is the Stuttgart, 6.10.34 transit stamp. Then onward to Friedrichshafen before the Zeppelin crossing to South America, and black Friedrichshafen 13.10.34 departure stamp on front, and transit mark ARICA, 22 OCT 34 and arrival mark LIMA, 29 OCT 34. Also in front is the green handstamp VIA FRIEDRICHSHAFEN ALLEMANGE.

Graf Zeppelin – Tenth South American Flight
Flown by Zeppelin from Friedrichshafen to Permanbuco
Cover flown from Delhi all the way by air.
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Cover franked 9½ annas and cancelled SUPPORT INDIAN INDUSTRIES / 29 SEP 34 / 2.40 P.M. / DELHI, and on verso a transit mark MILANO / 7.10.34 and on the front again FRIEDRICHSHAFEN / 13.10.34 -20. Finally an arrival mark on the reverse PERMANBUCO / 16 X 34. Cover has the BY AIR MAIL / PAR AVION and also the BY AIRSHIP / Graf Zeppelin etiquettes, and also hand written endorsements ‘By Airmail Singapore – London / and Airship Graf Zeppelin / Germany – Brazil’ and another endorsement ‘Via Friedrichshafen’ Addressed to Se. Albert Thasler. On reverse there is an Joris Victor authentication mark. Also the Zeppelin cachet in red on front.

Graf Zeppelin – Eleventh South American Flight
Flown by Zeppelin from Friedrichshafen to Permanbuco
Cover Flown from Kuwait (India used abroad postage stamp)
27 - 30 October 1934
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1934 - 11th South American Flight from Friedrichshafen to Pernambuco from 27th to 30th October 1934.
Cover flown from Kuwait and backstamp Milano 22 Oct.34

Cancellation DELHI G.P.O. 6 May 1935 on the 4th South American Flight of the LZ-127
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4th South America Tour 1935, registered cover with decorative postage stamp and airmail franking from Delhi 6 May to Recife, the first registered item to date, not listed in Sieger or Michel! Detailed photo certificate by Dr. Simon BPP

Mail from Calcutta to Rio-de-Janeiro flown on DLH and Graf Zeppelin (Pendulum Flight)
DLH/Zeppelin from 13 August to 16 August 1936

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Air Mail cover franked with Rs. 3-1-6 (49a 6p) being the letter rate of 3a 6p + airmail fee 46a = 49a 6p (correctly franked).
 
Cancelled CALCUTTA G.P.O., 3 AUG 36, 8-15 PM. 
 
Mail carried by Imperial Airways to Brindisi, thence by ordinary surface route to Frankfurt. Now, in order to reach Frankfurt in time for the 13 August departure by DLH, the cover could have left Calcutta on either IW-466 scheduled to leave on Tuesday, 4 August at 5.30 am, and arriving Brindisi on Saturday, 8 August, or on IW-467 scheduled to leave Calcutta on Thursday, 6 August at 5.30 am and arriving Brindisi on Tuesday, 11 August. Either way it was well in time for the weekly pendulum service by DLH or DLH/LZ to S. America.
 
Red circular DLH confirmation stamp (Bst) with distinctive letter ‘c’ denoting Frankfurt au Main as the post office. Flown by flight G 547 via DLH from Frankfurt on 13 August, via Marsailles and on to Montelimar, arriving the same day at 12.07 pm, and transferred to Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 shortly thereafter and arriving at Recife on 16 August at 08.17 am. (ref: Commercial Zeppelin Flights to S. America – Duggan & Graue, p. 80) and transferred from DLH to LZ at Lisbon on 13 August, according to Proud (Intercontinental Airmails Vol 1, p. 335). Then again by DLH to Rio-de-Jeneiro arriving on same date, 16 August. There is an arrival mark on the reverse, CORREIO AERIO, DISTRICTO PERMANBUCO, 16 AGO 1936.

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