Iceland's 1931 Zeppelin Stamps

30 aurar1 krona 2 kronur

Issue date: 25th May 1931

These stamps were issued in preparation for the arrival at Reykjavík of the German airship "Graf Zeppelin" on 1st July 1931. As there were no airship facilties, the "Graf Zeppelin" was not able to land, however mail was delivered and collected at Öskjuhlíð, just outside the city.

To celebrate the visit of the "Graf Zeppelin", the Icelandic Post Office overprinted stamps from the 1920 King Christian X issue with "Zeppelin 1931". These overprinted stamps would only be valid for outgoing mail on this airship and would become invalid immediately after.

Postage rates

The postage rates for mail taken via the airship were as follows
postcards1 króna
ordinary letters2 krónur
registration fee30 aurar

Quantity printed:

30a50000
1Kr60096
2Kr40096
30 aurar forgery

Forgeries

These stamps have been forged, here is an example. As you can see by comparing with the 30 aurar example above, the font used for the overprint is a bit too heavy.
postcard to Belgium

Finally, a postcard showing the 1Kr stamp paying the postcard rate + a 30 aurar stamp paying the registration fee.

The Reykjavík postmark is dated 30.VI.31 (30th June 1931) and the Friedrickshafen arrival stamp is dated 3.7.31 (3rd July 1931).

Note also the blue cachet "Luftschiff Graf Zeppelin Islandfahrt 1931".

Ábyrgð = Registered.
Með loftskipinu = By airship.

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Last updated 16th April 2008