Lot 274 Newfoundland #C5 1930, 50c on 36c olive green Columbia Flight, from Position 1 of the setting of four, full never hinged original gum, rich deep shade, a lovely and fine-very fine example of this airmail rarity; with 2001 Philatelic Foundation and 2004 B.P.A. certificates.
A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS IMPORTANT NEWFOUNDLAND AIRMAIL RARITY.
Only 300 examples of the 35¢ Caribou stamp were overprinted to commemorate the transatlantic flight of the Miss Columbia, a Bellanca monoplane piloted by Captain J. Erroll Boyd and Lieutenant Harry P. Connor, who departed Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, with the aim of completing a non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to England. At the urging of the postmaster, a bag of mail was carried aboard the flight; 48 stamps were reserved for covers posted at Harbour Grace, with a further eight stamps (two blocks of four) given to the pilots. The remaining stamps were placed on sale at the St. John’s post office on 25 September 1930. Of the original 300 examples, approximately 100 are believed to have been used on cover, and many of those remaining of the balance lack the freshness of the example offered here. Unitrade C$ 16,500
