This is a one-sided German souvenir card commemorating the 50th anniversary of the 1930 South American and Pan American flights of the LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin. It was published by Philatelistisches Büro Rau in Friedrichshafen.
Cancel Date & Location: Postmarked in Essen 1, Germany, on October 19, 1980.
Cancel Details: Features two distinct pictorial handstamps commemorating the 50th anniversary of the LZ 127's first South America flight ("Vor 50 Jahren 1. Südamerikafahrt LZ 127"). The cancels were applied at a regional stamp exchange event (Arge Ruhr).
Printed Cachet Elements: Displays a photograph of the Graf Zeppelin at the mooring mast in Lakehurst, N.J., alongside a green printed reproduction of the May 31, 1930 "Europe Pan America Round Flight" commemorative cancel.
Postage: Tied with a West German (Deutsche Bundespost) 5-pfennig satellite definitive stamp.
The LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin was one of the most successful rigid airships in history. This card commemorates its historic May 1930 Pan American Flight, which was a milestone in early intercontinental aviation. Departing from Germany, the airship crossed the Atlantic to Brazil, flew north to Lakehurst, New Jersey, and then returned across the Atlantic to Europe. The green printed cancel on this souvenir card replicates the distinct commemorative markings applied to the mail carried during the Lakehurst leg of that famous journey.