USPS Great Film Directors - John Ford

USPS on 23 May 2012 issued a First Day Cover stamp commemorating John Ford. It was one of four in their Great Film Directors series. This 45¢ stamp was designed by Avery Dennison. A Photogravure printing method was used render 6,250,000 copies of this multicoloured stamps. Postmark cancellation originated from Silver Spring, Maryland.

In his 50-year career, John Ford (1894-1973) directed over 130 films between 1917 and 1970 (although most of his silent films are now lost), and received six Academy Awards including a record four wins for Best Director for The Informer (1935), The Grapes of Wrath (1940), How Green Was My Valley (1941), and The Quiet Man (1952). Ford’s first major success, The Iron Horse (1924), was one of the top-grossing films of the decade. 

Ford is renowned for his Westerns, such as Stagecoach (1939), My Darling Clementine (1946), Fort Apache (1948), The Searchers (1956), and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962); though he worked in many other genres, including comedies, period dramas, and documentaries. He made frequent use of location shooting and wide shots, in which his characters were framed against a vast, harsh, and rugged natural terrain. He is credited with launching the careers of some of Hollywood's biggest stars during the 1930s, '40s, and '50s, including John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Maureen O'Hara and James Stewart.

During WWII, he served in the U.S. Navy producing documentaries, and was injured at the Battle of Midway. Ford won a record four Academy Awards, received the American Film Institute’s first Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Source: Mystic Stamps and Wikipedia 

Poste Monaco 100th Anniversary of the Opera Carmen

POSTE MONACO on 13 May 1975 issued a four-stamp First Day Covet set celebrating the 100th anniversary of the opera Carmen by Georges Bizet. The set was designed and engraved by Albert Decaris who did a superlative polyptych piece. Since Carmen has four acts, a stamp has been illustrated  each of these acts.

Carmen is a tale of seduction, passion, infidelity, jealousy and murder. Bizet’s famous heroine first appeared in a novella by Prosper Mérimée in 1845. Thirty years later, Bizet adapted the story into an opera. It was first performed at the Opéra-Comique in Paris on 3 March 1875. It was considered quite scandalous for its time! Since then it has become one of the world’s most loved, with the free-spirited Carmen at its heart.

 

ACT 1 (0.30 stamp)

Carmen appears in the square in front of the tobacco factory smoking a cigarette. The men in the square surround Carmen and try to woo her, but she refuses. When the men try to rape her, Jose, a soldier who happens to be there, helps her, but Carmen leaves, not happy about Jose's affections. At that moment, Jose is captivated by Carmen's beauty. Later, Carmen gets into a fight and is thrown into a cell in the tobacco factory, but Jose lets her escape and chooses to take the punishment himself.

ACT 2  (0.60 stamp)

The tavern "Lillas Pastia" is packed with customers. The bullfighter Escamillo makes advances to Carmen, but she doesn't pay him any attention. Next, Jose appears at the tavern to see her. Carmen is delighted and welcomes him with songs and dances, but then the army's trumpet sounds to signal the end of the war. As Jose prepares to leave, she becomes angry and sad. Jose is unable to give up his honor as a soldier, but he cannot bring himself to part with Carmen, and he eventually confesses his love. He decides to quit being a soldier and join Carmen's group

ACT 3  (0.80 stamp)

However, it is discovered that Carmen is a member of a smuggling ring. Jose regrets joining the group, and Carmen, who wants free love, proposes breaking up with him, but Jose refuses. Carmen's friends start reading cards. Carmen is shocked and unable to hide her shock when her death is predicted. The bullfighter Escamillo visits Carmen in her hideout. Jose learns that Escamillo is in love with Carmen and challenges him to a duel, but his friends intervene.

ACT 4  (1.40F stamp)

As the bullfighters gather in the crowded square, the spectators welcome them with loud cheers. Escamillo approaches Carmen and tells her he loves her. Carmen accepts his love and remains alone in the square. At that moment, Jose appears. Jose tries to win back Carmen's love, but she coldly pushes him away. Jose blocks Carmen as she heads to the bullring. Carmen throws the ring Jose gave her at him and prepares to leave. In the end, Jose kills Carmen.

La Poste France Birth Centenary of Sarah Bernhardt

LA POSTE FRANCE on 16 May 1945 issued a First Day Cover stamp marking the centenary birth of French actress Sarah Bernhardt (1844-1923). This maxim card has a cancellation postmark for 12 April 1946, Conservatoire de Paris. The stamp illustration is based from a painting by Bastien Lepage. This brown-lilac stamp had a face value of 4F + 1F. An Intaglio print method was used to produce 4,500,000 copies.The designer was Pierre Gandon but credited to Charles Mazelin; Pierre Gandon was also the engraver. 

The stamp bears Mazelin's name as the engraver's signature, but in fact it was never engraved by him. Why? After WWII a purge of Vichey government collaborators was in full swing. Gandon had been deprived of orders from the postal administration for three months  having engraved the triptych of the Tricolor Legion in 1942 (poste-1942-45). The punch was finished engraving on 14 November 1944. Given this state of affairs and the contempt towards Gandon, it was difficult to issue the stamp with Gandon's signature. Mazelin agreed to put his signature in place of Gandon's.

Sarah Bernhardt (born Henriette-Rosine Bernard; 22 October 1844 – 26 March 1923) was a French stage actress. She is considered one of the greatest tragediennes of the 19th and 20th centuries. The first international "star", she was the first to have made triumphant tours on five continents, Jean Cocteau (1889-1963, novelist, playwright, poet, etc.) inventing for her the expression "sacred monster". In 1859, she entered the Conservatoire d'art dramatique de Paris in the class of Jean-Baptiste François Provost (1798-1865, actor, 258th member of the Comédie-Française, in 1839). After graduating in 1862 with a second prize for comedy, she entered the Comédie-Française, but was dismissed in 1866 for having slapped a member, Mademoiselle Nathalie (1816-1885, actress 272nd member in 1852). She signed a contract at the Théâtre national de l'Odéon (inaugurated in 1782). She was revealed there by playing "Le Passant" by François Édouard Joachim Coppée (1842-1908, poet, playwright and novelist) in 1869. In 1870, during the siege of Paris (17 September 1870 / 26 January 1871), she transformed the theatre into a military hospital and treated the future Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929, general and academician) there, whom she would meet again forty-five years later on the Meuse front, during the First World War (28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918). She triumphed in the role of the Queen in Ruy Blas (a five-act play created in 1838) in 1872, which led to her being nicknamed the "Golden Voice" by the author, Victor Hugo (Feb. 1802 - May 1885, writer, poet, playwright, politician, Academician, etc.

She was also linked with the success of artist Alphonse Mucha, whose work she helped to publicise. Mucha became one of the more sought-after artists of this period for his Art Nouveau style.

Source: Wikipedia 

La Poste France La Ganterie - 1955

LA POSTE FRANCE on 26 March 1955 issued a First Day Cover stamp commemorating La Ganterie  (luxurious gloves) by the Saint-Junien glove factory. Pierre Gandon engraved the stamp. Postmark cancellation originated from Saint-Junien, France.

La Ganterie de Saint-Junien (Saint-Junien Glove Factory) was first to establish this lucrative industry in France. Gloves produced with special techniques found a high value as luxury consumer goods, and this attitude towards gloves did not change over time. Wearing gloves in Europe and America became a sign of one's social stature in the middle and upper classes.

The scene depicted on this stamp is that of a model wearing  gloves paired with an evening dress, in the shining Concorde Square at the beginning of the Champs-Elysées Street, which is known for its chic venues in Paris. 

It has been said that this glove stamp, which was issued in 1955, should have been included in the luxury consumer industry products, e.g. tapestries, porcelain, perfumery, bookbinding, highlighted in the 1954 stamp series.

Source: Pul Magazine 

La Poste France Haute Couture - 1953

LA POSTE FRANCE on 24 April 1953 issued a First Day Cover stamp dedicated to Haute Couture (Tribute to Christian Dior). This black-blue/velvet commemorative stamp measured 26 x 40 mm and featured no watermark. It carried a 30F face value. The engraver was Jules Piel and designed by Liere Grandson. It was printed using a recess method. A total of 29,940,000 stamps were printed. The maxim card was one of three different designs. I prefer the illustration as this method was used largely in the advertising industry at the time. The postmark cancellation originated from Paris.

USPS Assorted Cover Stamps Related to Conservation, Space Exploration and Hollywood Monsters

USPS cover stamps featuring John Muir Conservation, Wildlife Conservation, Pioneer Jupiter Satellite and Hollywood Monsters.

USPS Cowboys of the Silver Screen

USPS on 17 April 2010 issued four First Day Cover stamps called "Cowboys of the Silver Screen". It featured actors Roy Rogers, Tom Mix, William S. Hart and Gene Autry who starred as cowboys in the early years of cinema. FDC postmark cancellation originated from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Lithographed printing method was used to print these multicoloured, poster-like stamps. Perforations featured a Serpentine Die Cut 10.5 x 10.75.

ROY ROGERS

When Roy Rogers (1911-1998) was a child, his father brought home a cylinder player (the predecessor to the phonograph) and a cylinder by a Swiss yodeler. Roy played the cylinder again and again and developed his own style of yodeling. At the age of 18, Rogers moved to California to become a singer.

 

In the 1930s, Roy’s band, Sons of the Pioneers, began singing in Western films. His movie roles were small until 1935, when Gene Autry had a contract dispute with Republic Pictures. The studio held auditions for a singing cowboy to replace Autry in the upcoming movie, Under Western Stars. Roy didn’t have an appointment, so he mingled in with a crowd of movie extras and sneaked onto a lot. The producer loved Roy’s singing, and gave him the starring role.

 

For his horse in the film, Roy chose a palomino named Golden Cloud. A fellow actor mentioned how quick on the trigger the horse was. Rogers agreed and changed the horse’s name to Trigger. The two went on to star in over 80 movies together. 

 

Nicknamed “King of the Cowboys,” Roy became an idol to millions of children. In recognition of his achievements in radio, music, film, and television, Roy received four stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

TOM MIX

Tom Mix (1880-1940) was a true cowboy. Attracted to ranch life at a young age, Mix worked hard on his roping and riding skills, and by 1909 he was a national riding and rodeo champion.

 

Mix was a natural showman whose talents on horseback earned him a small part as a cattle wrangler in the movie Ranch Life in the Great Southwest. During filming, Mix talked the director into letting him do a bronco busting scene, and the rest is history.

 

In the 1920s, audiences wanted more action in Western films, and Mix gave it to them. Landing his first starring role in The Untamed, Mix and his horse Tony performed all their own stunts. His movies filled with cowboy shootouts and daredevil stunts, Mix became Hollywood’s first action hero. 

 

Mix was also the first Western star to make his horse a sidekick. Many of his films showcased the talents of the “Wonder Horse” Tony – making him the most popular horse in the world. Every week, Tony received thousands of cards and letters from children.

 

Wearing elaborate outfits, Mix thundered across the prairie in pursuit of the bad guys. For over two decades, Tom Mix had the most action-packed cowboy scenes on the silver screen.

 WILLIAM S. HART

William S. Hart (1864-1946) was in his teens when he moved to New York City to become a stage actor. By the 1890s, he was one of the leading Shakespearean actors on Broadway. But it was Western plays, such as The Squaw Man and The Virginian, that Hart enjoyed the most.

 

In 1914, Hart moved to Hollywood to act in motion pictures. After playing supporting roles in two short films, he starred in the feature film The Bargain. Hart portrayed the “good” bad man – a cowboy who would fight, gamble, and steal, but was also kind, honest, and caring. 

Hart insisted on showing the real Old West in his films. He went so far as to use real Indians, gamblers, prostitutes, and saloon entertainers in his movies. His gritty depiction of the Wild West was new and refreshing to moviegoers. This made him one of the most popular Western heroes of the silent movie era. 

 

In 1925, Hart produced Tumbleweeds, a nostalgic look at the closing of the Old West. The movie is regarded as one of the greatest silent Westerns every made. In 1939, Tumbleweeds was reissued with a spoken introduction by Hart. The speech turned out to be his farewell to the silver screen.

 GENE AUTRY

In 1926, Gene Autry (1907-1998) was working as a telegraph operator when humorist Will Rogers overheard him singing. Rogers told Gene he was good enough to sing on the radio. Gene followed his advice and earned a spot on the radio show National Barn Dance as Oklahoma’s “Yodeling Cowboy.”

 

In 1934, Autry was cast in the film In Old Santa Fe. He only had one scene, where he sang a song and called a square dance, but his next appearance was much more important – starring in the 12-chapter movie short The Phantom Empire.

 

The following year Autry starred in Tumbling Tumbleweeds, which made him a household name and ushered in the era of the “singing cowboy.” The movie introduced a successful formula where Autry played himself. With the help of his sidekick Smiley and his horse Champion, Autry tracked down the bad guys and brought them to justice. 

 

Known as “America’s Favorite Singing Cowboy,” Autry is the only entertainer to have five stars on Hollywood's Walk of Fame.  Autry was the ultimate role model. He promoted clean living through his “Cowboy Code” – 10 virtues promoting an ethical, moral, and patriotic lifestyle. Through his movies, Autry entertained and inspired people throughout the world.

Source: Mystic Stamps

 

La Poste France Artwork Le Noeud Noir

LA POSTE FRANCE on 13 April 1991 issued a First Day Cover stamp showing Le Noeud Noir (The Black Bow), a Conte Crayon illustration on laid paper, by pointillist Georges Seurat (1859-1891). A postmark with the artist's name  "Seurat" forms this special franking for the FDC which was released from Mulhouse, France -- a city in eastern France near the borders of Switzerland and Germany. Shown here is the stamp affixed to a maxim card.

Le Noeud Noir belongs to a series of female silhouettes against a pale or greyish background, dated about 1882. The young woman in Le Noeud Noir "seems dreamy, lost in thought. She does not have the hieratic pose of the other characters. Instead, a subtle play of curves gives a gentle, flowing look to this apparently fragile body emerging from the shadow. But, in the end, it is the bow which commands the drawing. Its jagged outline, unlike the rest of her costume, and its deep black irresistibly draw the spectator's eye. Sharply outlined against a halo of light, this bow becomes the focal point of the entire composition."  (excerpt from Musée d'Orsay, Paris)

Poste Martinique Tourism Stamp

POSTE MARTINIQUE on 1 November 1955 issued a First Day Cover stamp to promote tourism to this Caribbean island. The stamp carried a face value of 20F. Designer was Paul Pierre Lemagny whereas the Engraver was Charles Paul Dufresne. Intaglio print method was used to render the colours purple and lilac. A total of 75,080,000 stamps were printed. Postmarked cancellations originated from France and Martinique.

La Poste France La Dame à la Licorne - 1964

LA POSTE FRANCE issued on 31 October 1964 a First Day Cover stamp of "La Dame à la licorne" (Lady and the Unicorn) tapestry, circa 1500. Postmark cancellation originated from  Paris. Pierre Gandon illustrated and designed the stamp.

The "La Dame à la licorne" is a tapestry consisting of six pieces, woven from wool and silk with the thousand-and-one flowers technique (mille-fleur). Five of these six scenes drawn in Paris in the 1500s represent the five senses. One scene is left vague, which is thought to tell the story of love.

This scene called "La Vue" that we see on the stamp represents the sense of sight, the image of the unicorn reflected in the mirror in the young woman's hand gives us its message with the horse's vision of itself in the mirror. These six tapestries are presently exhibited at the Cluny Museum in Paris. 

Source: Pul Magazine 

La Poste France Return of Diana the Huntress by François Boucher

LA POSTE FRANCE on 10 October 1970 offered a First Day Cover stamp of François Boucher's "Le printemps Diane au retour de la chasse"  (The Return of Diana the Huntress). Affixed to this maxim card is a rendering of his famous artwork. A special postmark cancellation was also designed for this issue. It originated from 

The painting depicts the Greek goddess Diana and three of her nymphs , who after chasing birds and rabbits, remove their shoes and clothes before cooling off in a pond.

Tunisie Postes Lamine Pacha Bey - 1955

TUNISIE POSTES on 22 July 1955 issued a set of five First Day Cover stamps of Sidi Lamine Pacha Bey. These definitive stamps were printed in five different colours and denominations. The designer/engraver was René Cottet. A recess printing method was used to print 169,000 stamps.

Lamine Bey or Mohamed VIII el-Amine Bey (1881-1962) was the last bey of the Husseinite dynasty which reigned over Tunisia from 1705 to 1957. He was also the only King of Tunisia (20 March 1956 – 25 July 1957).

He was enthroned in unusual circumstances following the removal of his predecessor Muhammad VII al Munsif by the French Resident General Henri Giraud in 1943. It was not until the latter's death in 1948 that his legitimacy was recognised by the people of Tunisia.

He took steps to align himself with the Tunisian national movement against the French protectorate but was sidelined by the Neo Destour after he accepted French-initiated reforms in 1954.

Shortly after independence Lamine Bey was deposed and turned out of his palace along with his family. Their property was seized and several family members were imprisoned. He ended his days living in a small apartment in Tunis.

Australia and New Zealand 30th anniversary of the First Trans-TasmanFlight - 1958

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALND  on 27 August 1958 issued a First Day Cover stamp to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's first Trans-Tasman flight with Charles T.P. Ulm as co pilot. The stamp featured the Southern Cross with the portrait of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his aircraft.

The stamp was issued jointly by Australia and New Zealand. The designer was J E Lyle, Auckland. Australian Bank Note and Stamp Printer, Australia printed it using a recess  Intaglio method on Wiggins Teape 'Esparto', multiple NZ and star watermark The stamp remained on sale until 31 December 1958.

This Australia Post cover has multiple franking on the front and back of the envelope, both from Australia and New Zealand. The stamps were identical except for country stated on the stamp: "Australia" or New Zealand" and denomination.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9 February 1897 in Hamilton, Queensland, Australia.  He disappeared in 1935 with Australian Thomas Pethybridge after passing over Calcutta during a flight from London to Australia. The two were presumed lost.

Information included on this page sourced from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand published by the Royal Philatelic Society of NZ.    

Source: New Zealand Post

New Zealand Post Centennial of Hawke's Bay - 1958

NEW ZEALAND POST on 1958 issued three First Day Cover stamps commemorating the Centennial of Hawke's Bay. This set of stamps marked the 100th anniversary of the province of Hawke's Bay. The stamps depicted three significant features of the Province: The Maori legend of Pania, Cape Kidnappers Gannet Sanctuary and sheep shearing. They were designed by three different designers. The design of the 2d stamp was completed by M R Smith, the 3d by J Berry and the 8d by LC Mitchell.

The Stamps:

2d - Pania Statue - in recognition of the important part played by Maoris in the development of the Hawkes Bay.

3d - Gannet at Cape Kidnappers. In recognition of the awakening tourist industry in the Hawkes Bay Region.

8d - Sheep Shearer in recognition of the largest industry in the region.

Hawke's Bay (Māori: Heretaunga) is a region of New Zealand on the east coast of the North Island. It derives from Hawke Bay which was named by Captain James Cook in honour of Admiral Edward Hawke who decisively defeated the French at the Battle of Quiberon Bay in 1759.

Source: New Zealand Post

USPS Vintage Black Cinema

USPS on 16 July 2008 issued a set of five First Day Cover stamps entitled  "Vintage Black Cinema". These commemorative stamps depicted movie posters from African-American films made in the 1920s through 1940s. Art director Carl Herrman designed the set.

In the 1921 silent "The Sport of the Gods", the family of a wrongfully convicted man flees Virginia in disgrace only to face immorality and temptation in New York City. Based on a Paul Laurence Dunbar novel, the film was produced by the Reol Motion Picture Corp., which made several movies for black audiences.

 

Duke Ellington's first screen appearance in 1929's "Black and Tan" features three songs by him and his Cotton Club Orchestra. Playing himself, Ellington is in danger of having his piano repossessed. His fatally ill girlfriend dances at a nightclub and saves Ellington's music. She asks to hear his "Black and Tan Fantasy" on her deathbed.

One of only four movies to star American-born entertainer Josephine Baker, "Princess Tam-Tam" tells the story of a novelist who discovers a simple African woman, played by Baker, and presents her as a princess to Parisian society. Released in France in 1935, this French-language feature remains a rare film showcase for Baker's singing and dancing.

 

"Hallelujah" was one of the first major studio films to feature an all-black cast. This is a dramatic story of a field laborer seduced from his community by worldly temptations. Noted for its portrayal of the rural African-American religious experience, 1929's "Hallelujah" earned King Vidor a nomination for Best Director.

 

Highlighting the talents of singer, saxophonist, and "jump blues" bandleader Louis Jordan, the 1945 short "Caldonia" is often cited as a precursor of today's music videos. The film's four musical numbers also appeared as individual "soundies," or short films shown on video jukeboxes at nightclubs and restaurants during the 1940s.

Source: USPS 

Jordan Definitives and The Dome of the Rock - 1954

JORDAN on 2 September 1954 issued a set of definitive stamps depicting the landmarks of the country and King Hussein. Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co. Ltd used a recess printing method to print these stamps. Various stamps carried face values in Jordanian fils. 

Shown on this postcard is the Ed-Deir Temple in Petra (3 Jordanian Fils) and King Hussein (4 Jordanian Fils). The postcard shows The Dome of the Rock. It was postmarked Amman, Jordan and sent to a Dr. Bernard Zylberberg in Toronto, Canada. The card was printed in Lebanon.

This postcard appears to be an advertising technique used by Abbott Pharmaceutical to promote both its products and tourism overseas.  I have seen similar Abbott Pharmaceutical postcards advertising other products and tourist destinations which were posted to doctors. 

North Viet Nam Cultivated Flowers

NORTH VIETNAM block set of stamps from the cultivated flower (Pansy Cosmos Bipinnatus) series issued in 1978. Postmark cancellation originated from Hanoi, North Vietnam.

USPS 20th century American Comedians

USPS on 29 August 1991 issued a set of five stamps honouring 20th century American Comedians. These 29¢ First Class Mail Stamps featured the caricatures of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy; Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy; Jack Benny; Fanny Brice; and Bud Abbott and Lou Costello rendered by Albert Hirschfeld. The Bureau of Engraving and Printing printed 139,995,600 copies using lithographed and intaglio engraved method. FDC postmark cancellation originated from Hollywood, California.

Albert Hirschfeld was best known for his pencil drawing of Broadway plays that appeared in the New York Times newspaper for decades.  His familiar style was evident in these stamps picturing some of America’s greatest comedians.  

Postal rules and regulations fell by the wayside for his signature design.  Not only was the name of this famous caricaturist Albert Hirschfeld, prominently displayed on the cover of the stamp booklet, but the rule against secret marks in stamp artwork was waived for him, as well.  He was allowed to continue his practice of incorporating his daughter’s name, “Nina,” somewhere in each of his drawings.

The First Day of Issue ceremony was held at Mann’s Chinese Theatre, home of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in Hollywood, California.  Members of the comedians’ families made brief speeches during the ceremony. 

During the unveiling of these stamps, Postmaster General Anthony Frank said, “These comedians have made immeasurable contributions to American culture and, through the magic of radio and film, have brought laughter and joy to millions of people throughout the world.”  These stars of Vaudeville, Broadway, radio, and Hollywood were some of the nation’s brightest comedy stars of the 20th century.

Source: Mystic stamps

Pos Malaysia Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s 93rd Birthday

POS MALAYSIA on 10 July 2018 launched a limited edition  set of First Day Cover stamps celebrating Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad’s 93rd birthday and the historic moment he was sworn-in as the 7th Prime Minister; he is the only person to have served twice as prime minister of Malaysia (1981-2003 and 2018-2020), a cumulative total of 24 years, making him the country's longest-serving prime minister.

The cachet  featured a light-hearted moment between Dr Mahathir and his wife, Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali. The cancellation postmark originated from Kampung Baru (Kuala Lumpur). 

In 2025, Pos Malaysia will surely issue another set of stamps to commemorate the  centenary anniversary of his birth. 

Deutsche Bundespost Berlin Deutsche Lufthansa's Resumption of Munich to Vienna Flight

DEUTSCHE BUNDESPOST BERLIN on 23 April 1957 issued a First Day Cover stamp and cachet to mark the resumption of Deutsche Lufthansa's resumption of flight from Munich to Vienna. This was one of several cachets used to promote the airline's service to other cities. It showed the company's iconic crane-in-flight logo, Austrian national crest and St. Stephen's Chapel in Vienna which was captioned with the specific city of destination, in this case Vienna. Postmark cancellations of both Munich (front) and Vienna (reverse) can be seen on the envelope.

Initially, Deutsche Lufthansa (abbreviated DLH) was an airline serving as the flag carrier of East Germany from 1955 to 1963, and legal action against trademark violation were filed by Lufthanasa in West Germany. Ultimately  East Germany rebranded the air carrier to Interflug.

The design of the stamp was based on a monument dedicated to Prussian/German aviator Otto Lilienthal which featured a statue sculpted by Peter Breuer  and was dedicated in 1914, in Berlin, Germany.

 

Karl Wilhelm Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896) was a German pioneer of aviation who became known as the "flying man". He was the first person to make well-documented, repeated, successful flights with gliders, therefore making the idea of heavier-than-air aircraft a reality. Newspapers and magazines published photographs of Lilienthal gliding, favourably influencing public and scientific opinion about the possibility of flying machines becoming practical.

 

Lilienthal's work led to his developing the concept of the modern wing. His flight attempts in 1891 are seen as the beginning of human flight and the "Lilienthal Normalsegelapparat" is considered to be the first airplane in series production, making the Maschinenfabrik Otto Lilienthal in Berlin the first air plane production company in the world.

On 9 August 1896, Lilienthal’s glider stalled and he was unable to regain control. Falling from about 15 metres (49 ft), he broke his neck and died the next day.

Source: Wikipedia