The GermanStamps.net Collection

The GermanStamps.net Collection

Germany & Related Areas, 1872 – 1945

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Zeppelin Post

1931 Polar Flight

On 24 July 1931, the Graf Zeppelin (LZ-127) departed Friedrichshafen on a lengthy journey to the Arctic. The Graf Zeppelin stopped in Berlin, taking on a large quantity of mail, including mail from around the world which had been mailed to Berlin specifically for loading on the flight.

Polarfahrt Mail Advertisement

Mail originating from Berlin, and that forwarded to Berlin for loading, were canceled with one of two Berlin-Staaken cancels.

Berlin-Staaken “c” Cancel

The flight then proceeded from Berlin to Leningrad, where mail was dropped, and additional Russian mail was taken on board.  The LZ-127 then flew to Franz Josef Land, where it landed on the ice and delivered mail to the Russian icebreaker Malygin. Mail dropped at the Malygin received a transit cancel from the ship.

Malygin Cancel

Mail dropped at the Malygin was then transported via icebreaker or dogsled back to land, where it was then forwarded to the addressees around the world.

Mail transported, whether from Friedrichshafen, Berlin, or on-board, received a red Polarfahrt confirmation stamp.

Confirmation Stamp

Set Date(s)

24-31 July 1931

Album Page(s)

1931 Polar Flight

On 24 July 1931, the Graf Zeppelin (LZ-127) departed Friedrichshafen on a lengthy journey to the Arctic. The Graf Zeppelin stopped in Berlin, taking on a large quantity of mail, including mail from around the world which had been mailed to Berlin specifically for loading on the flight.

Polarfahrt Mail Advertisement

Mail originating from Berlin, and that forwarded to Berlin for loading, were canceled with one of two Berlin-Staaken cancels.

Berlin-Staaken “c” Cancel

The flight then proceeded from Berlin to Leningrad, where mail was dropped, and additional Russian mail was taken on board.  The LZ-127 then flew to Franz Josef Land, where it landed on the ice and delivered mail to the Russian icebreaker Malygin. Mail dropped at the Malygin received a transit cancel from the ship.

Malygin Cancel

Mail dropped at the Malygin was then transported via icebreaker or dogsled back to land, where it was then forwarded to the addressees around the world.

Mail transported, whether from Friedrichshafen, Berlin, or on-board, received a red Polarfahrt confirmation stamp.

Confirmation Stamp

Set Date(s)

24-31 July 1931

Album Page(s)