POSTAGE STAMPS
(1936)

This page was last updated
22-Feb-2023 08:46

MICHEL 603
10th ANNIVERSARY of LUFTHANSA
(HEINKEL HE 70 "BLITZ")
40Rpf

BACKGROUND: This stamp was was designed by Diebitsch and issued to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the founding of Lufthansa (German National Airline).

The stamp depicts a Heinkel He70 "Blitz" aircraft. The He 70 was a fast monoplane designed by Heinkel Flugzeugwerke to carry mail and passengers. Designed in 1933 only 324 were built and the type was retired in 1954 with the Spanish Air Force.

During her short career she set eight world speed records. Lufthansa flew the aircraft mainly on short routes between BERLIN-FRANKFURT, HAMBURG, COLOGNE and COLOGNE-HAMBURG. She was also flown internationally from STUTTGART to SEVILLE in Spain, which was the first leg of the South America mail route from STUTTGART - SEVILLE - BATHURST - GAMBIA - NATAL - BRAZIL, Junkers Ju52/3m and Dornier Wal flying boats completing the other legs.

The type saw military service with the Luftwaffe from 1935 and saw service during the Spanish Civil War with the Condor Legion.

VALIDITY: 6th Jan 1936 until 31st Dec 1937
VALUE: 40Rpf
COLOUR: dark ultramarine
WATERMARK: Swastika
PERF: 14.
AVAILABILITY: Sheets (10x10)
QUANTITY PRINTED: Unknown

VARIATIONS

Michel 603 Pa: printed on glued, webbed paper.

PLATE FLAWS

There are no major plate flaws

STAMPS FROM MY COLLECTION

All stamps shown from here until the end of the page are from my personal collection

MINT / UNUSED