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The GermanStamps.net Collection

Germany & Related Areas, 1872 – 1945

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Imperial Germany Semi-Official Airmails

Rhine and Main Airmail

In 1912, the Hessen Royal Family hosted a “Postcard Week” for the purpose of raising funds for the Grossherzogliche Zentrale fur Mutter- und Sauglingsfursorge, a home for mothers and infants.  The charity was originally scheduled to last from 10-16 June 1912, but was later extended to 23 June.

During the charity drive, there were a series of mail flights between Darmstadt, Frankfurt am Main, Mainz, Worms, and Offenbach.

Mail Flight Routes

The flights were conducted by the airship Schwaben (LZ-10), piloted by Dr. Hugo Eckener, and the Gelber Hund, a biplane donated by August Euler, the first licensed pilot in Germany, and piloted by Lt. Ferdinand von Hiddessen.

Schwaben (LZ-10)

Gelber Hund

Funds were raised through the sale of six special semi-official airmail stamps and special airmail postcards.

The first three issues (MiNr. I-III) were the primary stamps used on the flights.  For the last two days of the campaign, the “E.EL.P.” (Ex Est Luft Post) overprints (MiNr. V-VI) were used.

Numerous plate flaws exist, including that shown below on MiNr. II.

MiNr. II (left) & MiNr. II PF II (right)

Three types of standard postcards were use.  Olive-gray cards are the most common, and are most commonly found with MiNr. I and II attached.  Yellow-orange cards were used with a minimum of 1 Mark franking, and are therefore commonly found with the 1 Mark overprinted stamp (MiNr. IV).  Finally, a series of 2,000 dark red cards was used, with each card bearing a serial number from 1 to 2,000.  These cards required 3 Marks franking.

Additionally, beginning on 13 June, a series of six postcards bearing photos from the event was available for use.

Set Date(s)

10 / 22 June 1912

Watermark(s)

None

Album Page(s)

Rhine and Main Airmail

In 1912, the Hessen Royal Family hosted a “Postcard Week” for the purpose of raising funds for the Grossherzogliche Zentrale fur Mutter- und Sauglingsfursorge, a home for mothers and infants.  The charity was originally scheduled to last from 10-16 June 1912, but was later extended to 23 June.

During the charity drive, there were a series of mail flights between Darmstadt, Frankfurt am Main, Mainz, Worms, and Offenbach.

Mail Flight Routes

The flights were conducted by the airship Schwaben (LZ-10), piloted by Dr. Hugo Eckener, and the Gelber Hund, a biplane donated by August Euler, the first licensed pilot in Germany, and piloted by Lt. Ferdinand von Hiddessen.

Schwaben (LZ-10)

Gelber Hund

Funds were raised through the sale of six special semi-official airmail stamps and special airmail postcards.

The first three issues (MiNr. I-III) were the primary stamps used on the flights.  For the last two days of the campaign, the “E.EL.P.” (Ex Est Luft Post) overprints (MiNr. V-VI) were used.

Numerous plate flaws exist, including that shown below on MiNr. II.

MiNr. II (left) & MiNr. II PF II (right)

Three types of standard postcards were use.  Olive-gray cards are the most common, and are most commonly found with MiNr. I and II attached.  Yellow-orange cards were used with a minimum of 1 Mark franking, and are therefore commonly found with the 1 Mark overprinted stamp (MiNr. IV).  Finally, a series of 2,000 dark red cards was used, with each card bearing a serial number from 1 to 2,000.  These cards required 3 Marks franking.

Additionally, beginning on 13 June, a series of six postcards bearing photos from the event was available for use.

Set Date(s)

10 / 22 June 1912

Watermark(s)

None

Album Page(s)