1930 Graf Zeppelin stamps

The 1930 Graf Zeppelin stamps were a set of three airmail postage stamps, each depicting the image of the Graf Zeppelin airship, exclusively issued by the United States Post Office Department, USPOD, in 1930 for delivery of mail carried aboard that airship. Although the stamps were valid for postage shipped via the Zeppelin Pan American flight from Germany to the United States, via Brazil, the set was marketed to collectors and was largely intended to promote the route. 93.5% of the revenue generated by the sale of these stamps went to the Zeppelin Airship Works in Germany. The stamps were also issued as a gesture of good will toward Germany. The three stamps were used briefly and then withdrawn from sale where the remainder of the stock was destroyed by the Post Office. Due to the great depression and the high cost of the stamps most collectors and the general public could not afford to purchase or use them. Consequently, only about 227,000 of the stamps were sold, just 7% of the total made, making them relatively scarce and highly prized by collectors.

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In 1928 the Graf Zeppelin debuted and set new long-distance airship records. In honors of its achievements, the Zeppelin Company planned for the Graf Zeppelin to fly to Europe, Brazil and Rio de Janeiro. 

In an agreement with The German Zeppelin Airship Works and as a good will gesture toward Germany the United States Post Office produced a set of 3 separate Airmail postage stamps that commemorated the Graf Zeppelin and the coming transatlantic flight, which were used to pay the postage for mail carried aboard the Zeppelin, a rigid airship that was over 775 feet (236 m) long. Mail would be carried and delivered from Germany to points in North and South America and back again.

The three stamps all featured the Graf Zeppelin in various configurations. All three stamps were first issued in Washington D.C. on April 19, 1930, one month before the historic trans Atlantic first flight was made. The stamps were also placed on sale at other selected post offices on April 21, 1930.

The Graf Zeppelin departed from Friedrichshafen, Germany on the May 30, 1930, and returned there on June 6. The 65c and $1.30 values were used to pay postage for postcards and letters respectively which were carried on the last leg of the journey from the United States to Seville, Spain and Friedrichshafen. The $1.30 and $2.60 stamps paid the postage for postcards and letters respectively that were carried on the round trip flight via Friedrichshafen or Seville. The round trip letter rate was $3.90, the exact amount which could be paid with the $2.60 and $1.30 stamps. Mail franked with the Zeppelin stamps was forwarded to Germany by boat where it was picked up at Friedrichshafen and put aboard the Graf Zeppelin. The week-long flight of the Graf Zeppelin extended from Germany to Brazil and on to the United States and then returned to Friedrichshafen.

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