| Flight Number | H 12 b |
|---|---|
| Airship Number | LZ 129 Hindenburg |
| Flight Name | First North America Flight 1936 |
| Departure Date | May 6, 1936 |
| Departure Location | Friedrichshafen, Germany |
| Arrival Date | May 9, 1936 |
| Arrival Location | Lakehurst, USA |
| Dispatch Type | Friedrichshafen Onboard Cancel |
| Value | $$ |
Notes
On May 9, 1936, Germany issued a set of eight engraved semi-postal stamps for the XI Olympiad to be held in Berlin, the extra funds supporting sport organizations in Germany. The set depicted summer sports: gymnastics, diving, soccer, javelin, torch bearing, fencing, rowing, and horse jumping. The Halle (Saale) post office began to sell Olympic stamps as early as May 5, four days before the official date of issue. Stamp dealer Julius Bock obtained some of these presale stamps. As a result, he could prepare mail for Hindenburg before its departure to the United States and request the onboard postmark on the first day of issue during the flight. The postmarks could have been applied at the post office in advance or canceled aboard by Hindenburg’s postmaster. The Bock covers are the only known zeppelin-flown, first day Olympic covers.