In many cases of aircraft crashes, train wreck and shipwrecks, it was possible to recover some or even all of the mail being carried, with perhaps some charring around the edges of some pieces if there had been a fire, or water damage from flying boat crashes or shipwrecks. In such cases, the authorities typically apply a special postal marking to the cover explaining the delay and damage to the recipient.

The 367 covers salvaged from the Hindenburg disaster are especially desirable, with prices ranging from US$10,000 and up. One of such covers was auctioned by Corinphila in May 2001 realized for 85,000 Swiss Francs.

- Mrs. Nagalakshmi Tadakaluri, Philately.

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