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Lot# 1404 - Auction 309-320

  • Lot# : 1404 Airmail

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    1932: 2nd research flight into the stratosphere with the pilots Prof. Auguste Piccard and Ing. Max Cosyns, complete set with three commemorative stamps of Belgium on so-called 'Kipfer letter', with original signature (Ing. Paul Kipfer assistant on the 1st research flight on 27 May 1931), addressed to Zurich, franking cancelled 'Bruxelles 14.XII.1932' backstamped "Zürich 15.XII.32-11" on reverse. Professor Auguste Antoine Piccard and his assistant, Max Cosyns, used a hydrogen-filled balloon to lift their pressurized gondola from Dübendorf Airfield, Zürich, Switzerland, into the stratosphere on an expedition to investigate the upper levels of Earth’s atmosphere and to study cosmic radiation. During the 12 hour flight, Piccard and Cosyns reached an altitude of 16,201 meters (53,153 feet), setting a new Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) World Record for Altitude. The expedition was funded by Belgium’s Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique (FNRS).
    Starting bid : 500 CHF
    Hammer price : not sold