Sale 1287 — Worldwide Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Wednesday, 23-24 May, 2023
Category — The Magnolia Collection of Early India Flights
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1484
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. Two India 3p and -1/2a, each tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on cover in the hand of Walter Windham and addressed to a family member in Johannesburg, South Africa, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 despatch datestamp on back, Bombay transit and numerous handstamps relating to the inability to locate the recipient including "Insufficient Address", "Advertised", "Unclaimed", and Johannesburg Returned Letter Office and Bombay Dead Letter Office handstamps, accompanied by printed compliments flight card signed by Windham, few stray toned spotsFINE AND EXCEPTIONAL COVER. ONLY TWO COVERS FROM THIS FLIGHT ARE KNOWN TO SOUTH AFRICA, THIS EXAMPLE FULL OF CHARACTER WITH THE VARIOUS HANDSTAMPS.
Without question, one of the most important covers flown on this flight. The sender, Walter Windham (1868-1942), was the organizer of this flight, which was piloted by Henri Pequet. The flight lasted around 30 minutes, and from there the covers were forwarded by surface mail to their final destination.
Image 2
E. 3,000-4,000
10,000
1485
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India King Edward VII -1/4a postal card cancelled by bold black "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" fight cachet with "Allahabad 18 FE 11" circular datestamp at bottom left, left unaddressed, back with manuscript "With the founders compliments, W. Windham, the only ones done in black"VERY FINE. THE FIRST AERIAL POST CACHET IN BLACK IS EXCEPTIONALLY RARE. FEW EXAMPLES ARE THOUGHT TO EXIST.
According to Jain in his Indian Airmails book (p. 18), this strike in black is considered experimental and was only done on behalf of officials. The notation on the back indicates it was done more in favor. Regardless, strikes of the cachet in black are very rare. Walter Windham (1868-1942) was the organizer of this flight, which was piloted by Henri Pequet.
Ex Frommer.
E. 2,000-3,000
4,750
Back to Top1486
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 1a tied by black "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" fight cachet on cover addressed locally, "Allahabad 18 FE 11" despatch datestamp on backVERY FINE. ONLY A FEW COVERS WITH THIS AERIAL POST CACHET IN BLACK ARE RECORDED.
According to Jain in his Indian Airmails book (p. 18), this strike in black is considered experimental and was only done on behalf of officials. Strikes of the cachet in black are very rare.
With 2012 B.P.A. certificate.
E. 2,000-3,000
5,750
Back to Top1487
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India -1/2a tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on large-sized picture postcard of Henry Pequet and his plane, addressed locally in Allahabad, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 circular datestamp, signed "H Pequet" by pilot and "Founder of 'Aerial Post', W Windham" by organizer, card with small tears at top and minor bendsFINE AND RARE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT ONLY 40 CARDS FROM THIS HISTORIC FLIGHT WERE SIGNED BY PILOT HENRY PEQUET, AND FEWER ADDITIONALLY BY WINDHAM.
About 6,500 pieces of mail were carried from the Exhibition Grounds by French pilot Henry Pequet to Naini Junction, a distance of about five miles.
E. 1,500-2,000
1,800
Back to Top1488
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 1a tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on large-sized picture postcard of Henry Pequet and his plane addressed to London, England, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 circular datestamp, signed "H Pequet" by pilot, card with minor toned spots and small tape repair on picture sideFINE AND SCARCE. IT IS BELIEVED THAT ONLY 40 CARDS FROM THIS HISTORIC FLIGHT WERE SIGNED BY PILOT HENRY PEQUET.
About 6,500 pieces of mail were carried from the Exhibition Grounds by French pilot Henry Pequet to Naini Junction, a distance of about five miles.
E. 1,500-2,000
1,400
Back to Top1489
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 1a tied by blackish magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" fight cachet with additional strike on back on cover to Stoneygate, England, "Allahabad 18 FE 11" despatch datestamp on back, cover with toned spots, Fine and intriguing cover, strikes of this flight cachet in black are very rare, this strike is most certainly a mixture of inks between the black and the normal magenta used for the flight, we are unaware of any other similar strikes to the example offered here, with 2012 B.P.A. certificate
E. 1,000-1,500
4,750
Back to Top1490
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India -1/2a, 1a, and 12a, tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on registered cover to Ram Bagh, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 despatch datestamp on back, "R U.P. Exhibition Camp, Allahabad" registry handstamp and manuscript "4", Ram Bagh arrival backstamp, Very Fine and colorful, particularly scarce with this registry marking, ex "Medina"
E. 750-1,000
900
Back to Top1491
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 2a6p tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on registered cover to Fyzabad, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 despatch datestamp on back, registry label, Fyzabad arrival backstamp, Very Fine and scarce registered use, ex "Medina"
E. 400-500
600
Back to Top1492
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 6a tied by large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on registered cover to Dehra Dum, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 despatch datestamp on back, sender's directive "By 1st Aerial Post", registry label on back and Dehra Dun arrival backstamps, Very Fine and scarce, ex "Medina"
E. 400-500
550
Back to Top1493
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. India 3p horizontal strip of four and three singles of 1a, all tied by three strikes of large magenta "First Aerial Post, U.P. Exhibition Allahabad, 1911" flight cachet on registered cover to Lahore, Allahabad Feb. 18, 1911 despatch datestamp on back, registry label on back, Lahore Cantonment arrival backstamp, Very Fine
E. 300-400
1,200
Back to Top1494
INDIA, 1911, Feb. 18, First Aerial Post, Allahabad-Naini. Group of eight flown covers, each with appropriate flight cachet tying India stamps, three are registered including one with the "R U.P. Exhibition Camp, Allahabad" handstamp, four are addressed to England, the other four are sent within India, also with an original photo of the "Humber" which was the biplane used for the flight, Fine-Very Fine
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 1,000-1,500
4,000
Back to Top1495
INDIA, 1913, Jan. 5-8, Calcutta Aerial Exhibition by Verminck & Pourpe. Printed card "Great Aerial Exhibtion, 8th January 1913 by Messrs G. Verminck & M Pourpe, A Souvenir from 20,000 feet above Calcutta, Price Re. 1", back with violet French Consulate Calcutta cachet and "H.F. Bennett, Handwriting Expert, Calcutta" handstamp, additionally signed Stephen Smith, 26/5/27", cover with few minor corner creases and some mounting marks on backFINE AND VERY RARE. ONLY SIX CARDS ARE THOUGHT TO HAVE SURVIVED FROM THIS EXHIBITION.
Verminck & Pourpe arrived in Calcutta from Colombo on Dec. 21, 1912. They held an exhibition at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club race course from Jan. 5-8, 1913. These cards were sold on the last day of the exhibition for 1 rupee to help defray the costs of the exhibition.
Image 2
E. 4,000-5,000
2,800
Back to Top1496
EGYPT, 1918, Dec. 10, First Air Post from Cairo to Karachi by Military Plane (AAMC 8). Bold strike of "Brought by First Aerial Mail Cairo to Karachi, 10th December 1918" handstamp on cover to Lucknow, India, address written lightly in pencil, signed in red manuscript "EAH Mackenzie" at top right, "Passed Censor Karachi, 1" handstamp, reverse sealed with green "GR Opened by Censor" label with violet circular "E" in circle handstamp, minor cover faultsFINE AND WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF THIS RARE FLIGHT FLOWN BY CAPT. ROSS SMITH. ONLY 15 OF THE ORIGINAL 43 COVERS CARRIED ARE RECORDED.
Capt. Ross Smith flew a converted Handley Page bomber with Maj. General Sir Geoffrey Salmond and Brig. General Borton. After the crew arrived in Lahore and traveled to Calcutta in Jun. 1919, they were informed about the Australian Government prize of £10,000 for the first flight to Australia. They quickly arranged to return to England to compete -- a wise decision as they ultimately won.
Kimpton census no. 12. This is the example illustrated in the 1974 AAMC catalogue on page 142. With 2015 B.P.A. certificate.
E. 4,000-5,000
10,000
Back to Top1497
IRAQ, 1919, Jan. 9, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Forces to India on the "Old Carthusian", Baghdad Leg (AAMC 1). Clear strike of "F.P.O. 55, 9 JAN 19" double-circle datestamp on cover to Dehra Dun, sender's directive "By Air", clear strike of violet "Postal Service M.E.F., Aerial Post Baghdad-Delhi per Handley-Page Aeroplane" four-line cachet with violet "Carried by Aerial Mail, Bagdad-Delhi, Jany. 1919" handstamp on back, signed "J. Gordon, Lieut., RAF" at bottom left, Delhi transit and Dehra Dun arrival backstamps, accompanied by original enclosureVERY FINE. ONLY 28 COVERS ARE RECORDED FROM BAGHDAD ON THIS FLIGHT.
Original letter states "...it will be a good souvenir of the first Aerial Service East...". The letter is original, because the Dehra Dun datestamp impression passes thru envelope to letter.
Kimpton census no. 2. Ex Parsons. With 2014 B.P.A. certificate.
E. 2,000-3,000
5,000
Back to Top1498
IRAQ, 1919, Jan. 10, Mesopotamian Expeditionary Forces to India on the "Old Carthusian", Basra Leg. Clear strike of "Base Post Office M.E.F., 14th Desp, 10 JAN 19" double-circle datestamp on cover to Worcester, England, forwarded to Buckingham, manuscript "On Active Service", clear strike of violet "Postal Service M.E.F., Aerial Post Basrah-Delhi per Handley-Page Aeroplane" four-line cachet, signed by 2nd Lieut. on front, insignificant flaws to top flap which is missing small pieceFINE AND A VERY RARE USE FROM BASRA ON THE M.E.F. FLIGHT TO INDIA. ONLY SEVEN COVERS ARE RECORDED WITH THIS FLIGHT CACHET.
While the cachet states Basra, the flight from Baghdad actually left from British-occupied Ahwaz (Persia), because of its superior airfield. Mail was sent from Basra to Ahwaz by rail to make the flight. Kimpton records six covers but an example recently surfaced in a Spink sale (interestingly dated Jan. 11). Kimpton records six covers but an example recently surfaced in a Spink sale (interestingly dated Jan. 11).
Kimpton census no. 3 and illustrated in his book (p. 32).
E. 4,000-5,000
5,750
Back to Top1499
INDIA, 1924, Nov. 14, KLM Flight from Amsterdam to Dutch East Indies, Calcutta-Akyab Leg. India 1a tied by Akyab Nov. 14, 1924 circular datestamp upon arrival on cover addressed to Akyab, printed "By Aeroplane from Calcutta, by kind consent of the Consul General of the Netherlands, 13th Nov. 1924" at top left, signed by J. Fernandes (President of Calcutta Philatelic club) and signed Stephen Smith on back (partially affected by small piece of backflap removed), still Very Fine, only 25 covers flown on this leg, we believe less than that has survived
E. 300-400
550
Back to Top1500
INDIA, 1925, May 13, de Pinedo World Flight, Calcutta-Melbourne. Right portion of cover, affixed with two India 1a and addressed to Sydney, Australia, red "Italian Consul General's (Melbourne) letter of 12-11-25, No. 750 / 11, Calcutta to Melbourne by Seaplane, 13/5/25" cachet, violet "Italian World Air Flight" plane over India cachet on reverse, also signed by H.A. Outhwaite (President of the Aero Philatelic Club of India) and initialed by Stephen Smith, Very Fine, these covers were intentionally cut which had the signature of de Pinedo after a promised charity donation failed to occur, only 93 letters were carried to Australia
E. 400-500
850
Back to Top1501
INDIA, 1926, Jan. 2, R.A.F. Demonstration Flight Covers. Two covers from Calcutta Jan. 2, 1926, first to Risalpur on India -1/2a postal card, second to Patna with India 1a on cover, both with proper flight vignette and violet "Hawasae by Air" handstamps, cover to Risalpur with Stephen Smith initials on back, Very Fine and scarce pair, only 51 were flown to Risalpur and 69 flown to Patna
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 400-500
900
Back to Top1502
INDIA, 1926, Sept. 21, Cobham Return Flight, Calcutta-Allahabad Flight. India 3p block of four, cancelled by Calcutta Sept. 20, 1926 double-circle datestamp on cover to Naini (Aallahabad), printed label at top left regarding flight, times and cause for delay, additionally affixed with -1/2a pair tied by Allahabad double-circle datestamps on reverse (needed to be re-posted) and Naini arrival backstamp, Very Fine, only twelve covers are believed to have been carried on this flight, signed Stephen Smith on reverse, illustrated on pg. 95 of Indian Airmails: Development and Operations, 1911-1942 by Pradip Jain
E. 500-750
2,200
Back to Top1503
INDIA, 1927, Mar. 31, Neville Vincent Survey Flight, Rangoon-Penang. India 2a tied by boxed violet "Rangoon-Penang, First Air Mail, April 1927" flight cachet and Rangoon Mar. 31 circular datestamp at left on cover to Musselburgh, Scotland, Penang arrival backstamp, cover with expert repair at center, Very Fine appearance, a rare destination, despite 350 covers carried, only about 16 have been recorded
E. 750-1,000
2,100
Back to Top1504
PALESTINE, 1927, Apr. 4, First Imperial Airways, Cairo to Karachi. Palestine 5m horizontal pair and 6m, tied by Jerusalem Apr. 4, 1927 double-circle datestamps on cover to Karachi, small label with manuscript "per 1st through Air Mail to India" at top left, violet "Air Mail" boxed handstamp, Baghdad transit backstamp, small hole at left, still Very Fine, this cover was to join this inaugural Imperial Airways service at the Gaza stop after taking off from Cairo on Apr. 6, this cover made it as far as Baghdad and then went surface mail to Pakistan as the Persian authorities did not give permission to cross their air space on the Apr. 6 and 20th flights, only three covers are addressed to Karachi on this flight and the first despatch of air mail from Palestine, ex Jain, with 2014 R.P.S. certificate
E. 1,000-1,500
3,000
Back to Top1505
INDIA, 1927, Jun. 26, Dutch First Flight from Amsterdam to Batavia, Calcutta-Rangoon Flight. India 1a and "Avail Air Mails and Save Time" label, both tied by "Calcutta, 25 Jun. 27" double-circle datestamp on cover to Rangoon, Burma, "Dutch Flight, 1927, to Batavia, Carried from Calcutta" cachet at top left, arrival backstamp, Very Fine, only 48 covers were carried by G.J. Geysendorffer and J.B. Scholte on this leg
E. 300-400
425
Back to Top1506
INDIA, 1927, Nov. 3, Roger Latapie Paris to Saigon Return Flight, Calcutta-Allahabad Flight. -1/2a on -1/4a post card cancelled by "Park Street, Calcutta, 3 Nov. 27" double-circle datestamp addressed to Naini (Allahabad), red "Urgent by Aeroplane, Par Avion by Air, Carried by Roger Latapie, From Calcutta 1927" cachet, French consulate handstamp with additional strike on reverse, Pioneer Press and Naini arrival datestamps, Very Fine and scarce, only eighteen postcards (plus one letter) were carried on this leg
E. 400-500
325
Back to Top1507
INDIA, 1927, Nov. 3, Roger Latapie Paris to Saigon Return Flight, Calcutta-Karachi Flight. India 1a tied by "Park Street, Calcutta, 3 Nov. 27" double-circle datestamp which also ties pink "Urgent by Aeroplane, Return Trip, Calcutta, Karachi" label on cover to Karachi, "Roger Latapie" straightline handstamp, French consulate handstamp at bottom left, arrival backstamp, Very Fine, 55 letters carried by Capt. Leon Challe and Raymond Rapin
E. 300-400
225
Back to Top1508
INDIA, 1927, Nov. 3, First Experimental Flight from Calcutta-Paris by Capt. Leon Challe. India 2a tied by Park Street, Calcutta Nov. 3, 1927 double-circle datestamp on cover to London, printed "First Air Mail "Calcutta-Paris", Pilot: Capt. Leon Challe, Engineer: Mons Raymond Rapin, November 1927" at top left, French consular seal at bottom left, signed Stephen Smith on reverse, Very Fine, flown on the Capt. Challe return flight to Paris, a total of 93 were prepared for Paris, of which 67 were addressed to England (such as the cover offered here)
E. 300-400
170
Back to Top1509
INDIA, 1927, Dec. 18, Miller and Lancaster Flight from England to Australia, Calcutta-Singapore Leg. Three India -1/2a tied by Calcutta Dec. 18, 1927 circular datestamps on cover addressed to Manila, Philippines, sender's directive "via Singapore by Air", proper flight vignette, Singapore transit and Manila arrival backstamps, Very Fine, only twelve covers were flown on this leg to Singapore, the Philippines particularly scarce as an onwards destination
E. 500-750
900
Back to Top1510
INDIA, 1927, Dec. 20, Miller and Lancaster Flight from England to Australia, Calcutta-Darwin Leg. Two India 1a tied by Calcutta Dec. 20, 1927 circular datestamps on cover addressed to Port Darwin, Australia, proper flight vignette, Australia 1p tied by Darwin Mar. 21, 1928 circular datestamp upon arrival, cover signed by both Lancaster and Miller, the former which also partially ties the Australia stamp, Very Fine, only 37 covers were carried, it is believed only three still survive
E. 500-750
2,600
Back to Top1511
INDIA, 1928, Jan. 1, R.A.F. Empire Cruise Flying Boat Flight, Bombay to Colombo. India -1/2a tied on arrival by Colombo Jan. 1, 1928 circular datestamp on real photo post card showing the "Empire Cruise" in flight and stating "Souvenir Card of R.A.F. Flying Boats Empire Cruise, Bombay 27 XII 27", addressed to Colombo, proper flight vignette and "By Air" handstamp, Very Fine and quite rare, only eleven cards were flown on this flight, accompanied by a similarly franked card but without vignette and unflown
View PDF of contents of this lot
E. 500-750
1,200
Back to Top1512
INDIA, 1928, May 14, Doisy & Carol Paris to Hanoi, Calcutta-Rangoon Flight. Four India 3p, each tied by Calcutta May 14, 1928 double-circle datestamps on cover to Rangoon, appropriate flight label and green cachet at bottom left, red "Plane Crashed at Akyab, 16th May 1928" along right side, French consulate handstamp on reverse, Very Fine, 121 covers were carried on this flight which was intended to go to Hanoi but the plane crashed and was severely damaged in Akyab
E. 300-400
550
Back to Top1513
INDIA, 1928, Dutch Experimental Flights, Amsterdam to Batavia. Two different covers, first from the Calcutta to Rangoon leg with proper green flight cachet, second is the Rangoon to Bangkok leg which was actually flown to Singapore since Bangkok was flooding, Bangkok arrival backstamp and signed Stephen Smith, Very Fine, 111 covers were flown on the Calcutta-Rangoon leg and only 35 from Rangoon-Bangkok
E. 400-500
250
Back to Top1514
INDIA, 1928, Sept. 30, Baron Huenefeld Berlin to Tokyo Flight, Calcutta-Tokyo Flight. India -1/2a and 1a tied by "Park Street, Calcutta, 30 Sep. 28" double-circle datestamps on card to Tokyo, green "Europa SS" flight cachet and violet "Baron Huenefled" and blue "Tokio 18 Oct." handstamps, Stephen Smith message on reverse, Very Fine, only 47 cards carried on this leg of the flight
E. 300-400
275
Back to Top1515
INDIA, 1929, Jan. 15, Baron von Koenig Berlin to Tokyo, Calcutta-Singapore Leg. India -1/2a tied by Calcutta Jan. 15 double-circle datestamp on "Kamerad" card to Singapore, appropriate flight cachets and boxed "Delayed" cachet in black, Singapore Apr. 1 datestamp with additional strike on back tying a flight label, Very Fine and quite scarce, only 25 flown with about seventeen believed to exist, von Koenig was competing for the Hindenburg Cup for the "most sporting amateur flight made by a German subject", signed Stephen Smith on reverse
E. 500-750
1,100
Back to Top1516
INDIA, 1929, Apr. 24, RAF Fairey Long Range Monoplane Flight to India. India 8a used with stamp label showing plane over globe, both tied by Karachi Apr. 27, 1929 double-circle datestamp on arrival and addressed to London, typed "Carried on the Fairey Long Range Monoplane No. J.9479, From Cranwell, England to Karachi, India" at top left, initialed by pilots "NJ" (N. Jenkins) and "AJW" (A. Jones-Williams), "By Air" in circle handstamp, couple vertical file folds not affecting stamp or labelVERY FINE. THIS IS THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL NON-STOP FLIGHT FROM ENGLAND TO INDIA. ONLY THREE COVERS ARE RECORDED FROM THIS FLIGHT.
The pilots N. Jenkins and A. Jones-Williams flew from Cranwell for Bangalore on April 24, 1929 in an attempt to break the current distance record. They ultimately decided to land in Karachi rather than face the possibility of running out of fuel and making it short of Bangalore during the night. While short of the distance record, they did accomplish the first non-stop flight from England to India. Later that year in December, Jenkins and Jones-Williams attempted the distance record again with the aim for Cape Town. Sadly, they crashed in Tunisia and both perished.
Illustrated in Kimpton Airmails Across the Middle East: 1918-1930 (p. 219).
E. 5,000-7,500
12,000
Back to Top1517
INDIA, 1929, May 22, First Experimental Flight by Bengal Air Transport Co., Darjeeling-Calcutta. Cover with Darjeeling May 22, 1929 despatch datestamp on back, with violet "Bengal Air Transport Co., Ltd." straightline handstamp on front and back with printed "From Darjeeling by Air, Postage Due" and addressed to Calcutta, Darjeeling 2a due handstamp, signed Stephen Smith on back, Very Fine, a particularly rare cover with only about six covers flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 500-750
550
Back to Top1518
INDIA, 1929, Nov. 4, Imperial Airways India to Great Britain, Air Post First Day Cover. India 1929 3a-12a Air Post, tied by Park Street, Calcutta Nov. 4 first day circular datestamps on registered flight cover to Nuremberg, Germany, multiple air post labels at right, signed "G. Grant, 4th Nov.", the stamp designer, and Stephen Smith on back, arrival backstamp, cover with slight toning affecting stamps, small cover tear at top and minor pinhole, still a Fine and extraordinarily rare first day cover of India's first Air Post stamps, only a few covers are believed to exist
E. 1,000-1,500
2,500
Back to Top1519
INDIA, 1930, Oct. 29, R.A.F. Goodwill Flight to Singapore, Karachi-Bangkok Leg. India 1a and Thailand 5s tied by Bangkok Nov. 7, 1930 machine cancel upon arrival, additional strike on back, printed "By British Plane, R.A.F. from Karachi", signed by pilot "D.F. Anderson" at bottom left, signed Stephen Smith on back, Very Fine and rare, only ten covers flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 750-1,000
1,200
Back to Top1520
INDIA, 1930, Oct. 29, Victor Bruce World Flight, Jodhpur-Calcutta Flight. India 1a tied by Calcutta Oct. 29 double-circle datestamp upon arrival on cover to Calcutta, black "Carried by the Honble Mrs. Victor Bruce, Jodhpur" flight cachet, signed pilot "Mildred Bruce" at bottom left and Stephen Smith on reverse, Very Fine, surprisingly rare as only ten covers were flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 400-500
550
Back to Top1521
INDIA, 1930, Oct. 30, England-Australia Flight by Oscar Garden. India -1/2a block of four on front and horizontal pair on back, tied by Calcutta Oct. 30, 1930 circular datestamps on cover to Rangoon, bold violet "England-Australia Flight with Mr. Oscar Garden, Across the Bay of Bengal" two-line cachet (which also ties block) and flight label, Rangoon arrival backstamps, signed by pilot "Oscar Garden" and Stephen Smith on back, Very Fine, only eleven covers flown on this flight, ex L.V. Pont
E. 400-500
650
Back to Top1522
INDIA, 1930, Oct. 30, Victor Bruce World Flight, Calcutta-Rangoon Flight. India -1/2a block of four on front and two singles on back, tied by Calcutta Oct. 30, 1930 circular datestamps on cover to Rangoon, violet "Calcutta-Rangoon by The Hon. Mrs. Victor Bruce in her Black Burn Bluebird Plane" four-line cachet with label at bottom left, additional flight cachet on back, signed pilot "Mildred Bruce" and Stephen Smith on back, Rangoon arrival backstamps, Very Fine and very rare, only five covers flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 400-500
2,800
Back to Top1523
INDIA, 1930, Dec. 21, First Flight by a Mohomedan Pilot, Dum Dum-Shaibah Leg. India 1a and 2a Air Post, tied by Calcutta Jan. 24, 1931 circular datestamp on arrival on cover to Calcutta, Christmas Health Seal affixed and tied by violet flight cachet with additional strike on back, 2a Air Post with manuscript "Crashed in the old war trenches Shaiba, A Morad, 1-1-31, Sunita", signed by pilot "Abul Murad" and Stephen Smith on back, Calcutta arrival backstamp, Very Fine, only six covers flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 500-750
3,500
Back to Top1524
INDIA, 1930, Dec. 21, First Flight by a Mohomedan Pilot, Dum Dum-Allahabad Leg. India 1a tied by Allahabad Dec. 22, 1930 circular datestamp on arrival on cover to Calcutta, Christmas Health Seal affixed and tied by violet flight cachet with additional strike on back, also with violet "Dum Dum...Allahabad, Pilot Abul M. Murad" two-line handstamp, signed by pilot "Abul Murad" at bottom left, Calcutta arrival backstamp, Very Fine, only six covers flown, ex L.V. Pont
E. 400-500
375
Back to Top1525
INDIA, 1932, Jan. 13, Halliburton and Stephens Flight over the Himalayas. India -1/2a tied by "Park Street, Calcutta, 13 Jan. 32" double-circle datestamp on cover addressed locally, proper labels affixed and tied by violet "American Fliers, In "Stearland", Biplane" handstamp, signed "Richard Halliburton" at top, Very Fine, only 50 covers flown, signed Stephen Smith on reverse
E. 300-400
475
Back to Top1526
INDIA, 1932, Apr. 14, Bertram Atlantis Around the World Expedition, Rangoon-Calcutta Flight (AAMC 1162). India 3p and 1a, tied by "Rangoon G.P.O., 22 Apr. 32" double-circle datestamps on cover to Calcutta, flight label at top tied by violet "Atlantis, Junkers D-1925, Ichapur 14 April 1932" handstamp, blue "Bertram Atlantis Expedition" cachet at left, Very Fine, Captain Bertram attempted a round the world flight from Germany but was ultimately forced down in the Indian Ocean, only 75 covers flown, signed Stephen Smith on reverse
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top