1928 Graf Zeppelin LZ-127 Flight Cover 53c Postcard Rate Molly Pitcher Block

1928 LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin First Transatlantic Flight Cover - 53¢ Postcard Rate with Molly Pitcher Block of 10

Unusual and philatelically rich cover from the Graf Zeppelin's historic inaugural transatlantic flight, canceled Lakehurst, N.J. October 28, 1928. Bears the illustrated Statue of Liberty cachet with "By German Airship LZ-127 From Lakehurst, N.J." in red, "DIRIGIBLE AIRMAIL" printed endorsement, and large purple oval "First Flight Air Mail / Via Graf Zeppelin / United States - Germany / Oct 28 1928" cachet. Franked on front with 3¢ Lincoln (Scott 555) and 30¢ Buffalo (Scott 569) totaling 33¢.

The back carries a top-margin block of 10 of the 2¢ Molly Pitcher overprint (Scott 646) adding 20¢ - bringing the total franking to the correct 53¢ Graf Zeppelin postcard rate for the 1928 eastbound flight. The Molly Pitcher overprint was issued in October 1928 for the Battle of Monmouth sesquicentennial, making it exactly contemporary with this flight. The use of a block of 10 to complete the Zeppelin postcard rate is a showy and unusual franking combination that will appeal to both Zeppelin cover collectors and U.S. commemorative stamp specialists.

Addressed to Shamokin, Pennsylvania with a cursive penciled "care of" notation added by the sender. The cover received a "retour" handstamp and was returned through New York December 10, 1928, most likely because the partially penciled address proved unreadable to German postal workers unfamiliar with American cursive script - a genuine and well-documented hazard of the era. Friedrichshafen backstamp confirms actual carriage on the flight.

Condition: Front shows soiling and wear. Back has ink spotting. Stamps intact and sound. An unusual and conversation-worthy cover with a complete and documented postal history story. Priced to reflect condition.

Ships from St. Petersburg, Florida.

Any catalog prices specified in the title of this listing are from the current Scott catalog.

The item(s) shown in the photo is an unmodified image of the exact item the buyer will receive unless otherwise noted.

For international shipments similar size/weight items ship free if you pay postage for this one.

Please use scans to verify any suggested Scott # as sometimes mistakes are made. If you notice an error please let us know so it can be corrected.

Item will be shipped with plastic wrapping and cardboard to help guard against shipping damage or water damage. No hassle returns available.


Offered by Vegas Stamps and Hobbies, Inc. Of Saint Petersburg, FL. Please let us know if there are any problems with your order and/or if you are not fully satisfied for any reason. If there is a problem we appreciate the chance to make it right for you so you can provide us +++ feedback which we will also do for you! Thank you for your consideration!





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