Part of the 1983 Balloons commemorative series, this striking First Day Cover (Scott #2034, one of the block featuring modern hot-air ballooning) honors the historic 1978 flight of Double Eagle II, the first balloon to successfully cross the Atlantic Ocean. The 20¢ stamp shows colorful modern hot-air balloons in flight, with patterns of blue, red, yellow, and other vibrant hues against a sky background. The dramatic cachet artwork by Koslow illustrates the majestic Double Eagle II itself: a massive black-and-silver balloon envelope towering above the landscape, tethered gondola visible below, drifting over green fields and waterways in a breathtaking aerial perspective. Postmarked March 31, 1983, in Washington, DC (joint first-day city with Albuquerque, NM), with a sharp "First Day of Issue" cancellation (ZIP 20066). This cover captivates aviation historians, ballooning enthusiasts, adventure philatelists, or completists of the four-stamp Balloons set (which also included Intrepid, Explorer II, and others). It remains in outstanding unaddressed condition, with vivid colors and clean lines—ideal for framing or enhancing topical collections on exploration and lighter-than-air flight.
