The Fascinating History of Zeppelin Flights and Their Impact on Airmail Services and Cover Designs

As airplanes started to progress in their technologies, and capabilities, the revolution of mail being carried by air grew substantially. Another important form sometimes over looked were Airships. Airships are also known as dirigible balloons, there are in principle a couple of types. A Blimp which is a non rigid airship, and a rigid airship which is often referred too as a Zeppelin.

Count Ferdinand Von Zeppelin was one of the key developers of the rigid airship and his plans date back to the 1870’s. His name became synonymous with airships, and in the late 1920’s and 1930’s actually dominated long distance flight, this was until the Hindenburg disaster of 1936.

In our local region of the South Lakes and Cumbria, events inspired by Zeppelin designs saw The Royal Navy prepare and actually order the construction of “His Majesty’s Airship No. 1" around 1909 to be constructed at Vickers at Barrow-In-Furness. It was said to be over 150 meters in length. Unfortunately it never took to the air as it broke in half in the wind before its maiden flight.

After several experiments, the first commercial Zeppelin flight was in 1910, this was with LZ-6. All flights were based from their German base near Frankfurt at Friedrichshafen. These were local flights within the country. There were as you can imagine many issues with earlier Zeppelins with the airships being damaged in thunderstorms, or being burnt in hangers, this of course would have been in part due to the methods of propelling airships, with hydrogen etc.

During the first World War the Germans used them to bomb strategic targets including London, they proved effective due to the size and what they could carry in terms of weaponry.

However the most synonymous airship, which sadly Von Zeppelin never saw to fruition in his dreams, was LZ-127 “Graf Zeppelin”.  As relations warmed in the 1920's with Germany and the rest of the world, Dr Hugo Eckener Chairman for Luftshiffbau Zeppelin was now responsible for the building of the airships and saw the opportunity for intercontinental air passenger services.

The LZ-127  was the first airship to fly around the world, infact it was also the first aircraft to fly over a million miles! it flew to the Artic and back and more. Flights were to Lakehurst in the USA and later to South America, and many other Cities around the world including, Seville, Tokyo and Moscow. It was a 5 day trip from Germany to the USA, with the level of service on board for passengers which would put most airlines today to shame even in first class, (not that I have ever had the opportunity to fly first class!) with a reported 4 members of staff per passenger. From 1932-37 LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin had a regular airline service between Germany and South America, and the USA. Its last flight was a flight from Brazil to Friedrichshafen in May 1937, part due to the Hindenburg disaster and airships falling out of favour. Much of this was also an economic decision due to the costs of helium and other gases required.

During these 500+ flights many covers and envelopes were carried. Many had their own special handstamps for a particular route and some these days are elusive. We have even seen the odd double flown covers which are rare. It is a fascinating area of philately and airmail cover collecting, covers range from tens of pounds to hundreds. A very useful (and probably the 'Bible') with all the flights and cachet details is Published by Sieger of Germany, although the last edition is now some 20+ years old, they are still obtainable.