AUSTRIA; Rocket Flight Cover; 1931 Feb 2, Schoeckel Mountain (Austria) – Friedrich Schmiedl, manuscript «Raketen-Flugpost Schmiedl 2.2.1931» on mint Austria 10gr bistre (E-Z 8A1, numbered «71») on album page with flown card franked with same stamp (E-Z 8C1c, numbered «47») neatly cancelled by boxed «V7» handstamp with ms. inserted «2.2.31» date with a second strike of the handstamp at lower left with ms «079» instead of date, nice strike of 2-line «Raketenpost Schmiedl / Raketen-Flugpostkarte» cachet plus hand-written notation »Versuchsweise befördert mit Postrakete 'V7' am 2.2.1931 Schöckel-Radegrund», Very Fine and desirable early rocket mail item (Hopferwieser (2016) = € 4800 Lot)
In 1930 Schmiedl launched further V3, V4, V5, and V6 rockets from Schoeckl, perfecting a parachute recovery system. His first successful post office rocket mail on 2 February 1931 transported 100 letters from Schoeckel to Sankt Radegund. He began with what he called "regular mail service" in September 1931 with launch of his G1 rocket from Hochtroetsch to Semriach. (Image)

CV. Starting Price 2,500