BALLOON MAIL : MAIDEN VOYAGE OF D-GRAF ZEPPELIN (1967)

This vintage postcard commemorates the 21st German Children's Village Balloon Flight, a charitable event held on March 7, 1967. It documents the maiden voyage of the free balloon "D-GRAF ZEPPELIN," which carried this specific card (No. 1370) from Friedrichshafen. The flight reached a maximum altitude of 1900 meters and travelled a distance of 16 km before landing in Güttingen, Switzerland.

The card is a philatelic treasure, featuring a special Friedrichshafen postmark dated March 8, 1967, marking the 50th anniversary of Count Zeppelin’s death. It boasts a "Froschkönig" welfare stamp and a teal "Bordstempel" cachet. Notably, it bears the signature of pilot Wolfgang von Zeppelin, adding significant historical value for collectors.

Proceeds from such flights supported the Pestalozzi Children’s Village, blending aviation history with philanthropy. Addressed to Hermann E. Sieger, a famous philatelic dealer, this document serves as a precise record of 1960s aeronautics.