.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
July 3rd 2002 - First Solo Round-the-World Balloon Flight
Two stamps were issued on July 3rd 2002 to celebrate the First Solo Round-the-World Balloon Flight by Steve Fossett in his balloon "Spirit of Freedom".
A previous Round-the-World balloon attempt by Steve Fossett and others ended off the coast of Kaua'i, Hawai'i in 1998. With modifications based on the shortcomings of the previous five attempts, the 140-feet tall balloon "Spirit of Freedom" filled with helium and hot air was piloted by Steve Fossett and took off from Northam airport, 75 miles (120 Kilometers) west of Perth, Western Australia on June 19 2002. Mission control was at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri who helped with weather reports, navigation etc. and maintained contact with Steve in the balloon via satellite.
The route of the balloon took Steve over New Zealand, the South Pacific Ocean and the southern tip of South America, then over the South Atlantic Ocean and the southern tip of South Africa. Finally, over the Indian Ocean and crossing the South Australian coastline 20 miles (32 Kilometers) west of Ceduna and making landfall on July 3 2002. On his 6th attempt, Steve Fossett became the first person to circumnavigate the world solo by balloon. The duration of the record-making flight was 14 days and 9 hours.
The $5 stamp (above left) prepays the Overnight rate. It shows a map of the Balloon flight and a portrait of Steve Fossett.
The $8 stamp (above right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows the Balloon crossing the coastline near Ceduna, South Australia before arriving at its final destination shortly thereafter.
The cacheted First Day Cover shows Steve Fossett in the "Spirit of Freedom" taking off from Northam airport, west of Perth, Western Australia.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps:
Colors: $5 and $8 stamps - Multicolored
Size: Both stamps are 32mm x 48mm
Stamps sheet size: 30 ($5 - 6 down, 5 across), ($8 - 5 down, 6 across)
Perforation: 12.
Stamps design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2002 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
Return to list of stamp issues
For details on upcoming stamp issues click here