'THE THREE IMPRESSIONS APPEARING IN THIS BOOKLET ARE DIE PROOFS TAKEN FROM THE MASTER DIES OF THE THREE SPECIAL POSTAGE STAMPS ISSUED BY THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO CARRY LETTERS AND POSTAL CARDS, ORIGINATING IN THE UNITED STATES, ON THE GRAF-ZEPPELIN FLIGHT FROM FRIEDRICHSHAFEN TO NEW YORK VIA SEVILLE AND RIO DE JANEIRO.

THESE DIE PROOFS ARE PRESENTED TO DR. HUGO ECKENER, COMMANDER OF THE GRAF ZEPPELIN, WITH THE COMPLIMENTS OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, AND WITH THE HOPE THAT THE SPECIAL STAMPS WILL SERVE TO COMMEMORATE THE FIRST FLIGHT FROM SOUTH AMERICA BY A LIGHTER-THAN-AIR CRAFT, AND THEREBY DRAW PUBLIC ATTENTION TO A PROMISING INDUSTRY, TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF WHICH DR. ECKENER HAS MADE A NOTABLE CONTRIBUTION.'

Walter F. Brown
Postmaster General
WASHINGTON D.C.

APRIL 1 6, 1930

Each proof also contains the following manuscript citation:

" This die proof which was presented to me by the Post Office Department of the United States, is in turn presented by me to my friend, Dr. Philip G. Cole, in recognition and appreciation of his accomplishments as the world's foremost air mail collector."
Hugo Eckener

The set offered here is of paramount historical importance to the Aerophilatelist. An exceptional opportunity to acquire the cornerstone of a Zeppelin collection.