Netherlands (1933) Postcard / Rotterdam – Bandoeng – Rotterdam

Description: A highly desirable and complete historical artifact documenting the legendary December 1933 emergency Christmas mail flight between the Netherlands and the Dutch East Indies (Bandoeng). This postcard charts the full round-trip route completed under record-breaking conditions by the KLM Fokker F.XVIII “Pelikaan” after the breakdown of the Pander “Postjager” aircraft.

• Illustrated Motif: Intact original picture postcard illustrating the aircraft with the official cachet/text: “per Pander postjager”.

• Stamps Configuration: Features an exceptional mixed combination of two iconic 1933 special aviation triangular issues:
  • 1x Netherlands 30c Dark Green Triangular Airmail Stamp (NVPH #LP10, depicting an airplane propeller and engine nose).
  • 1x Dutch East Indies (Nederlandsch-Indië) 30c Triangular Airmail Stamp (Note: displays a minor design defect, yet completely intact on the original postcard).

• Outbound Leg (Netherlands to Java):
  • Departure postmark from Rotterdam: December 4, 1933.
  • Arrival postmark at Bandoeng: December 22, 1933 (carried via the “Pelikaan” rescue team).
• Inbound Return Leg (Java back to Europe):
  • Official “Pelikaan” flight cachet/postmark stamped on December 26, 1933.
  • Final return delivery postmark back at Rotterdam: December 31, 1933 (New Year’s Eve landing).