Originally Posted by
WHBM
However, notable that the post office had done special stamps for the aircraft, which they were doubtless very proud of. Its loss must have been a national disaster.
These Christmas mail flights were very special events. The 1933 flight was planned to use the new Fokker F.XX PH-AIZ 'Zilvermeeuw' but when that one developed engine trouble on the morning of the planned departure the F.XVIII PH-AIP 'Pelikaan' was quickly substituted. Within the three days that the Pelikaan took to reach Indonesia new covers were printed with the name of the Pelikaan on them for the return flight. Examples are shown on this page:
Pelikaan | Snipfan.nl
The first cover is marked 'Zilvermeeuw' with a misspelled 'Pelikaan' quickly typed underneath. The fifth image shows the new cover, now with the name of the Pelikaan on it and it looks like the postmarks also all have the name Pelikaan on them. It makes me think that they may already have had stamps available for the different aircraft that flew the route.
It is impressive to see that envelope from the Uiver. I can understand that it must have been strange to hold that envelope knowing its history.