Ballooning in India

There were a few balloon flights in India notably in Bombay and Calcutta after the first one in 1936. But none carried mail and hence out of this blog’s scope.

The first balloon mail flight in India took place in India on January 14, 1941. This pioneering mail flight was initiated by Dr. Stephen Smith who had balloons released for observation in Calcutta at Curzon Park. Dr. Smith made special arrangement to carry a message addressed to the Hon Secretary, Indian Airmail . Society, Calcutta. Cover carried by the balloons bore words ‘Carried by balloons on observation flight”. But these were not manned balloons.

The first manned balloon flight carrying mail was flown on 14^th November, 1963 when a balloon flight was arranged at the Race course ground in Bangalore. The flight was arranged in aid of the Pestalozzi Children’s village on the lines of balloon flights in Europe. The function was presided over by the Chief Minister of Mysore, Shri S Nijalingappa and inaugurated by Mr. Ramchandani, the Post Master General of Mysore. The balloon was piloted by Mr. H. Jo. Sheer of Pestalozzi Children’s village of West Germany. Mr. Alfred Schulz was the co-pilot and Master Anil Kumar of Bangalore represented India on this unique flight. The philatelic mail included covers and cards of different colours. Some of the covers were signed by the pilot, co-pilot and the sole passenger. Covers bore various cancellations/cachets as can be seen on the covers. Profits from sale of this philatelic mail was donated to the children’s village.

This became a yearly feature till 1966. But cards were flown instead of covers.

Ther were no balloon flights after that. However, there was a special flight in 1867 in aid of the children's village.

Balloons used to carry mail out of a sieged city.

During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 the city of Paris was completely cut off from the outside world by the Prussian army. Balloons were used to carry refugees and mail from the besieged city.

From 19^th September, 1870 to 28^th January, 1871, 66 balloons were used by the Parisians to carry 155 refugees, 354 carrier pigeons and over 2.5 million letters out of Paris. Each piece flown required a notation "Par Ballon Monte" indicating that it was a manned balloon. Balloon montes are relatively expensive and prices can vary according to specific balloons and markings.

Covers flown out of Paris were then forwarded to the addressees through normal mail channels.

Special balloon postcards 10 x 7 cm were manufactured of thin green paper subject to a maximum weight of 4gm.

The address side of a balloon postcard from the siege of Paris, 1870. Postage of 20 centimes was imprinted on the card.

Aviation First Day Covers

View some aviation related first day covers here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22512826@N08/sets/72157605228228012/

Click on the link or paste on a browser.

AERO-PHILATELY

Hi!

I am an aero-philatelist. I find that there are very few website devoted to this branch of philately so I thought blog which will help popularize this branch of philately.

Aero-philately is a branch of philately specializing in the collection of philatelic items relating to airmails. Aero-philatelists study the development of airmails and tell the story of the development of aviation through stamps, covers postmarks etc.

A selection of stamps with aviation theme.

The scope of aerophilately includes:

• airmail postage stamps, both official and unofficial


• stamps depicting various aspect of "aviation" eg. aircraft, airlines, airports etc.


• other types of labels (such as airmail etiquettes)


• all kinds of mail transmitted by air


• postal markings related to air transport


• first flights and other "special" flights covers


• rates and routes


• mail recovered from aircraft accidents and other incidents (crash covers)

An aerogramme flown on a special balloon flight in France.

Besides the study of airmail transport by fixed-wing aircraft, the fields of balloon mail, helicopter mail, dirigible mail, zeppelin mail, missile mail, and rocket mail are active subspecialties. Astrophilately, the study of mail in space, is a related area.
I'll explain the various nuances in future posts, with pictures etc.

Please contact me if you are a fellow enthusiast or want to know more about aero-philately.