General Balbo's Transatlantic Rome - Chicago Mass Formation Flight by Savoia Marchetti S-55X Flying Boats (Crociera Nordalantica). Air mail.
Description: A large series with 2 subjects, consisting of 20 sub-series, each with the overprint of name of the pilot and the aeroplane. Impression 200.000.
Date of issue: May 20, 1933. Valid only on this flight.
The fascists linked the technological achievements and Italian aviation with the political achievements of the Italian fascism. In pursuit of the total integration of political and social life it attempted to appropriate uniquely modern forms and technologies, such as aviation. The popular fascination with aviation was truly international and the Italians were wildly enthusiastic about the exploits of aviation pioneers. When Italo Balbo, an Italian aviation and fascist political leader, in 1933 led the flight of twenty-four S-55 seaplanes, designed by Alessandro Machetti, on an epic transatlantic flight and back again, the fascists used it in their propaganda. Balbo’s aerial armada landed at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago after a flight from Orbetello airfield near Rome. New York Times hailed the flight as the greatest mass flight in aviation history.
The double crossing of the Atlantic lifted Balbo from status of provincial politician to an international celebrity who ranked with Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart and other heroes of aviation.
The stamp consists of three parts, which are individual stamps.
The left part is registered air express label, decorated with the tricolor. In left panel "anno XI" with a wing underneath. In right panel the year in Roman numerals and the arms of Savoy with fasces on each side.
The middle part is ordinary postage, with the portrait of Vittorio Emanuele III stamps have fasces on both left and right border panels.
The right part is the actual airmail stamp. It has different motives. At the bottom "Crociera Nord Atlantica". On left panel arms of Savoy with fasces and underneath "MCMCCCIII" and "anno XI".
Most of the stamps have an abbreviation of one of the pilot’s names in overprint together with the word "Apparecchio" (aircraft)and a number, referring to the number of the plan. There were 24 seaplanes in the formation flight and therefor 24 different names of the commanders printed on the stamps. The different abbreviations are: Balb, Gior, Borg, leon, Pell, Reca, Migl, Verc/Long, Bian, Roui, Napo, Nann, Aram, Teuc, Rani, Dini, Bise, Ques, Calo.
Some stamps only have the words "Servizio di stato" overprinted.
Date created: 22/03/00 11:42:36