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Commentary (Philatelic)

Glossary

General Aspects

Destinations

Personalities & Dealers

Postal Marking & Cancels

General Aspects:

The Stamps:

This contribution assembles everything known about the stamps, starting with the designers and the printers. Presented is evidence to show that the initial set of six stamps (Europe and USA-overprint) were actually sold to the public three days earlier than in date in most catalogs. Also new aspects for the 5$000 on 1$300 stamp have come to light.

Postal Rates:

Here the confusion of two basic rates for covers sent from Brazil (especially to European and beyond destinations) is explored and explained. In addition, proof that overweight letters out of Brazil, in contrast to the other countries involved in this flight, were not only allowed, but actually exist and were encouraged by Condor.

Stationary of all Types:

Everything that can be considered stationary that was used on this flight can be found here. The spectrum is great, it begins with the preprinted Condor cards and envelopes. FBCs (folded business cards) are also treated. The wide range of Brazilian PO stationary that ended up being used on this flight is also shown. USA air mail envelopes, some printed by the founded of Linn's is explored in a further segment.

Frauds?:

Are the 5$000/1$300 and 5$000/20$000 Rio to Recife covers send to Stoltz in Recife really kosher?

Diplomatic Mail?:

This contribution looks at all aspects of possible mail with any sort of possible diplomatic tint, from the usual pure philatelic and not diplomatic, to an actual cover to the USA that fulfills the requirements to be considered having used diplomatic franking privileges.

Commercial Mail – THE REAL THING:

Because of the flood of philatelic covers on this and many other flights, a sort of holy grail for collectors is truly commercial mail. Here are some examples of bona fide examples. This includes an envelope used by a representative of the now defunct Great Lakes Aircraft Corporation on this flight. As more examples become available, this section will be revised and expanded.

Numbers:

Several different kinds of numbers appear on many of the covers of this flight and others. This small review demonstrates the main ones and links to the appropriate specific contribution.

Aerophilatelic History: That Little Bit Extra – A 1930 Time Capsule:

Cards and letters from this flight provide an insight, much as a time capsule, to some aspects of the life and times of 1930 in three countries.

“The Zeppelin is Coming to Our Town ......”

How the merchants of Rio de Janeiro used the arrival of the Zeppelin as an event to boost sales.