1931 Graf Zeppelin Polar Flight

1931 Graf Zeppelin Polar Flight postcard. German 2M Zeppelin stamp overprinted with Polar-Fahrt 1931 & Friedrichshafen cancel. Flown from Friedrichshafen on the Polar Flight to Franz-Josef-Land. Polar Flight cachet in red and a ‘Malyguin’ ice breaker datestamp.

Graf Zeppelin polar flight took place between the 24^th and 31st July 1931 and travelled from Friedrichshafen–Berlin–Leningrad–Kanin-Franz-Joseph-Land -Nordland–Taimyr–Novaya Zemlya –Leningrad–Berlin–Friedrichshafen. The main objectives were to test the zeppelin in Arctic conditions and conduct scientific and geographical research of the Arctic. During the flight it was arranged for a rendezvous with the Russian icebreaker Malygin where they exchanged souvenir mail in Hooker Island, Franz Josef Land. This airmail has the special ‘Malyguin’ ice breaker arrival date stamp on the day of the rendezvous.