Charles Roberti 'Belgica' Rocket Mail

Charles Roberti first Belgium rocket mail ‘Belgica’ launch cover. With 9^th May 1935 Duinbergen postmark, the date and location of the launch & special cachet.

Charles Roberti was a controversial figure, along with fellow ‘rocket pioneer’ Gerhard Zucker whom he knew well. Roberti was born in the Netherlands where he launched his first rockets, before doing similar launches in France and Belgium. He was forced to flee his native Netherlands after the philatelic press pointed out that his rockets were simply fireworks. His tests in Belgium were a private initiative but with cooperation from the Belgian Postal Administration. The first test on 9^th May 1935 launched the rocket ‘Belgica’ from Duinbergen, with second & third tests on 4^th September 1935 in Mol & Duinbergen. Eight different vignettes were issued during these tests.