GERMANY "GRAF ZEPPELIN" AUSTRIA FLIGHT WIEN FLIGHT 12 JULY 1931 - SPECIAL CANCELLED FLOWN POSTCARD
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GERMANY "GRAF ZEPPELIN" AUSTRIA FLIGHT WIEN FLIGHT 12 JULY 1931 - SPECIAL CANCELLED FLOWN POSTCARD. STAMPED BY HERMANN SIEGER'S COMPANY TO FLIPSIDE.
On July 12, 1931, the airship Graf Zeppelin (LZ 127) conducted a special day-trip flight from Friedrichshafen, Germany, to Vienna, Austria, and back, which is widely referred to in philately (stamp collecting) as the "Wien Flight" or the "Austria Flight 1931".
Key details:
Purpose: The flight was a sensation and the first time the Graf Zeppelin had landed in Austria. It was also a postal flight, carrying significant amounts of philatelic mail, which helped finance the journey.
Route and Activities: The airship flew over various towns, including Maribor (in modern-day Slovenia) on its way to Vienna. It landed in Vienna in the morning, where it was met by large crowds and dignitaries. Passengers and officials, including the Austrian Chancellor and government ministers, boarded for the return scenic flight over several Austrian regions (Semmering, Carinthia, Klagenfurt, Villach, Graz, etc.) before returning to Friedrichshafen.
Flight Number/Identifier: While not officially a numbered scheduled service in the same way modern airlines operate, this specific journey is referred to in philatelic circles by identifiers such as "Wien Flight," "Austria Flight 1931," or associated with specific postal cachets like Sieger 117B.
Significance: The flight demonstrated the airship's capabilities and generated significant public excitement and revenue through passenger fees and philatelic mail.
This event was distinct from the Graf Zeppelin's famous Arctic scientific expedition, which began later in July 1931 (starting July 24).
ALSO:
The phrase "B.E. SIEGER LORCH WURT" likely refers to Hermann E. Sieger (the "E. Sieger" part) of Lorch, Württemberg (abbreviated as "Wurt" or "Württ"), a well-known German dealer in philately (stamps and related accessories). The "B." at the beginning might be an initial or part of an address/reference.
Hermann E. Sieger founded his company in Lorch in 1922, and it remains in operation today, specializing in stamps, coins, medals, and gift items. The company became well-known, particularly in the philatelic world, for its "Sieger Catalogue" of Zeppelin postal items and as a key figure in the German stamp trade.
The company's address is Am Venusberg 32-34, 73545 Lorch, Germany.
