THE 33RD SPECIAL CHILDREN’S VILLAGE BALLOON FLIGHT (1987) : BALLOON POST

Step back to May 1987, a year when Berlin celebrated its landmark 750th anniversary with grand commemorations. One of the most unique events was the 33rd Special Children’s Village Balloon Flight, held during an open house at the historic Berlin-Tempelhof Airport. This commemorative postcard documents a symbolic "Twinflight" connecting Berlin, West Germany, with its namesake in North Dakota, USA. It represents a moment of international connection captured through the "Dream of Flight".

The front of the card is a vibrant display of aerophilately, featuring an 80-pfennig stamp of the Berlin skyline and a special postmark dated May 30, 1987. This postmark depicts the evolution of aviation with the slogan "From Balloon to Jet". Most notably, the card bears the authentic blue-ink signatures of the pilots, G. Bublitz and H. Jo Scheer, who operated the tethered flight. 

BALLOON POST : 1ST WORLD GAS BALLOON CHAMPIONSHIP (1976)

The year 1976 marked a milestone in aviation history as pilots gathered in Augsburg, Germany, for the 1st World Gas Balloon Championship. These rare "Balloon Mail" covers offer a tactile connection to that inaugural event, which officially took place from September 11 to 14, 1976. Captured during a time when the sky was filled with the silent silhouettes of gas-filled giants, these documents served as official proof of flight. They were carried in the wicker baskets of the balloons and stamped with unique "Bordstempels" to verify their journey through the clouds.

The first card is a remarkable "who’s who" of 1970s aeronautics, featuring a dense tapestry of hand-signed autographs from international teams representing countries like Japan, Poland, and the USA—including the signature of American pilot Michael Fairbanks. It tells a story of precision and patience; a red ink notification notes that the initial launch on September 10, 1976, was delayed due to "unfavorable weather," a common challenge in the delicate world of gas ballooning.

Perhaps most striking is the second document, which features an aerial photograph of the balloons lined up like pearls on the Augsburg launch field. This card was notably piloted and signed by Wolfgang von Zeppelin, a name synonymous with the golden age of airships, alongside Annedore von Zeppelin.

GERMANY STAMP SUBSCRIPTION FORM (EARLY 2001)

This document is a mail-order subscription offer from Firma Sieger sent to Eduard Holland in the early 2000s. It invites the recipient to collect German stamps from the "Economic Miracle" era (1949–1974) using the company's then-new computer system. For a trial price of €19.95, the customer receives a hardcover album and 20 mint-condition stamps, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Although the stamps are historical, the use of the Euro currency and a five-digit postal code confirms this specific marketing flyer was produced long after the stamps themselves were originally issued.

Germany officially adopted Euro banknotes and coins on January 1, 2002. The prices listed €19.95 confirm this document was produced after 2001. The address for Eduard Holland uses a five-digit postal code (32105). Germany switched from four-digit to five-digit postal codes on July 1, 1993, following reunification.

BALLOON MAIL : 1996 "ALBUCH" CHARITY BALLOON MAIL

This fascinating philatelic artifact tells the story of a "Ballonpost" flight conducted on September 1, 1996, to benefit children suffering from cystic fibrosis. The event, titled "Ballonstart zum Sommerfest der an Mukoviszidose erkrankten Kinder," combined community spirit with the unique tradition of aerophilately. Despite a minor delay noted by a green stamp indicating the launch was "postponed due to bad weather," the balloon "Albuch" successfully took flight from Heuchlingen.

The document is a treasure trove for collectors, featuring striking markings that authenticate its journey. Notable highlights include the blue circular seal of the Bürgermeisteramt Heuchlingen and a red diamond-shaped Bordstempel (on-board stamp) for the balloon "Albuch" (D-OAEG). It also carries a "Par Ballon Monte" cachet and a purple "Luftpost" stamp, marking its status as official air mail.

Piloted by Hans-Jürgen Stäudle, whose hand-signed signature authenticates the flight, the balloon covered 28 km before landing at Hohlenstein. This specific card, numbered 0272, was addressed to Rolf Groner and bears an 80-pfennig German stamp commemorating the Halberstadt Cathedral.

DOG FULL BODY PORTRAIT ART GERMANY 1995 : ANIMAL PHILATELY

DATE OF ISSUE : 08.06.1995
COUNTRY : GERMANY