1937 Gordon Bennett Balloon Flight Cover Belgica Demuyter Belgium to Riga Latvia

Item Specifics

Country

Belgium

Condition

Cover (Postal History)

Stamp Format

Single

Item Description

Grade: Ungraded
Commemorative cover carried by the balloon "Belgica" during the 1937 Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race. Postage: Belgium: 7.50 Francs. France: 30 Centimes, 90 Centimes. Addressed: From (launch point): Brussels, Belgium. To: E. Demuyter, Bruxelles (Belgique). Additional visible features: The cover is a special commemorative card from the "Aéro-Club Royal de Belgique" for the flight. The pilot, Ernest Demuyter, is also the addressee. A "PAR AVION" label is affixed. Postmark and Transit: Transit Postmark: PARIS R.P., France, dated June 18, 1937. Launch Postmark: Special flight cancel "BALLON BELGICA", dated June 20, 1937. Receiving Postmark: RIGA, LATVIJA, dated June 26, 1937. Days of the week: Launched on Sunday, received on the following Saturday. Complete Travel Time: The flight duration from launch in Brussels to arrival processing in Riga was 6 days. Travel Distance: The approximate straight-line distance between Brussels, Belgium, and Riga, Latvia, is 850 miles (1,370 km). The cover was created by the "Aéro-Club Royal de Belgique" (Royal Aero Club of Belgium) as "Courrier Commémoratif de la 2me Épreuve pour la Ve Coupe Gordon Bennett" (Commemorative Mail for the 2nd Trial for the 5th Gordon Bennett Cup), launched from Brussels on June 20, 1937. It was carried as "Poste par Ballon 'Belgica'" (Mail by the balloon 'Belgica'), with the pilot listed as Ernest Demuyter. The cover is addressed to Demuyter himself, a common practice for philatelic flight mail. The back has a French airmail slogan "Gagnez du temps répondez par avion" (Save time, reply by airmail). Historical Context: Event: The 1937 Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race, a premier long-distance gas balloon competition, launched from Brussels on Sunday, June 20. The balloon "Belgica," piloted by the renowned Belgian aviator Ernest Demuyter, won 2nd place in the race, landing near Riga, Latvia. This cover was part of the mail carried on that prize-winning flight and was postmarked upon arrival in Riga on June 26, 1937. The Paris transit mark from June 18 indicates the cover was prepared and franked with French stamps before being brought to Brussels for the flight. Combined Shipping: We offer combined shipping. You pay the shipping fee for one item, and all other eligible items purchased in the same order will ship free. For heavier lots, shipping will be calculated. You may proceed with your purchases, and any overpayment on shipping charges will be refunded.

Seller Information

Seller

2wayrus (833)

Registered Since

03/05/2019

Feedback

99.5%

Store

2colllect

Item Location

Florida, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

No

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