Lot 1581 India OCT.18.1932 Madras to Karachi First Flight Set With Union Jack Flag, includes all 20 of the flight legs, to and from Ahmedabad, Karachi, Bombay, Bellary and Madras. These colourful covers were designed by Stephen Smith “by Sanction of Messrs. Tata Sons Ltd” with inscription on back reading “A Souvenir of a Great Indian Enterprise” and signed by Stephen Smith. The cover design was originally submitted with a Union Jack, which proved to be less than popular, so most of the stock was destroyed. Those that remained were meant for foreign collectors, and those without the flag for Indian collectors. All of these are addressed to Mr. Pont, care of several people in several cities. Some have staining (mostly on back) and one has tears on back, still a rare offering. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $200, sold for C$2,500.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1594, balance of India Rocket Mail collection, sold for C$3,744
Lot 1594 India Rocket Mail Balance of the Rocket Mail Collection, includes a total of 48 covers, with some duplication of up to 8, includes the SEP.30.1934 rocket (with 5x green labels and 6x blue labels), OCT.4.1934 rocket (with 4x red labels), DEC.16.1934 night firing (x4) and so on. Also includes an original 1934 publication signed by Stephen Smith titled “First Indian Rocket Despatches 1934” with three pages of historical facts on these fascinating trials. Also a group of 1935 Jubilee unused labels, with the first (x7) and two each of the four overprinted Sikkim labels. Last but not least is an original black and white photograph of Stephen Smith holding one of his rockets, signed by him. A great lot for dealers, resellers or rocket mail enthusiasts. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $2,000, sold for C$3,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1565, India 1929 First Day of Issue Airmail stamps on registered FFCs, four covers, sold for C$7,254
Lot 1565 India NOV.4.1929 First Day of Issue of Air Mail Stamps First Flight Registered Covers, with four covers, each franked with a sheet margin block of four of the 3a, 6a, 8a and 12a first Air Mail stamps, with signature of their designer G. Grant (and date) on the selvedges. These covers were mailed registered to Leon Pont in London, England, “By Imperial Airways / India – Great Britain”, with Stephen H. Smith signature on backs, alongside NOV.20 oval registration receivers. Rare and very fine, all scanned online. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $2,000, sold for C$6,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 541, Canada 1935 ten cent carmine rose Mountie with “Birdcage” variety, used XF, sold for C$409
Lot 541 Canada #223iv 1935 10c carmine rose Mountie with “Birdcage” Variety, a used single with large margins and a fully dated c.d.s. cancel from Hamilton, extremely fine. Unitrade CV$375, sold for C$350.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1861, British Commonwealth Old Time Mint and Used Collection in a 1912 Standard Postage Stamp Album, sold for C$2,808
Lot 1861 British Commonwealth Old Time Mint and Used Collection in a 1912 Standard Postage Stamp Album, featuring mostly all mint stamps. Includes very extensive Great Britain, Gibraltar, Hong Kong (Noted some British Offices in China cancels), India, Malta, St Helena and Seychelles; other countries sparsely populated and mainly used, no Canada. Added pages cover early Ireland, China (includes Scott #158, CV$450, upside down in album) and Japan. Many scans online. Estimate $800, sold for C$2,400.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.