Lot 1633 United States August 1927 Bremen Catapult Flight Cover to India, franked with 20c in postage, mailed at Newark, New Jersey on JUL.26.1929 and sent to Europe via the Bremen Catapult Mail Service. Has the usual Bremen “KATAPULTFLUG” cachet for this flight. Addressed to Stephen Smith, the dean of Indian Air mail, and good friend of Mr. Pont, in Calcutta, India, and signed by him on back (in 1929). Few small faults, still a rare catapult flight destination, with both sides scanned online. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, for C$2,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 676, British Columbia 1867 10c on 3d lilac rose Seal of the Colony surcharge, Fine NH, sold for C$3,042
Lot 676 British Columbia #10 1867 10c on 3d lilac rose Seal of Colony Surcharge, Perforated 14, mint with full original gum, never hinged, with upper sheet margin showing a reference cross. Large margin at right, with bright and fresh colour, fine. Accompanied by a 2015 Richard Gratton AIEP certificate. A very nice and rare never hinged example of this stamp, catalogue value given is for hinged only. Rsv. $1,200. Unitrade CV$3,600, sold for $2,600 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1582, India 1932 Madras to Karachi first flight set covers, two from each of the 20 flight legs, sold for C$6,084
Lot 1582 India OCT.18.1932 Madras to Karachi First Flight Sets, With and Without Union Jack Flag, includes two each of 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), still overall fine and a rare offering. Scan only shows one of the 40 covers offered here. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $400, sold for C$5,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1272, Canada 1898 three cent Leaf cover with Toronto Type 8-23 Barred Involute Flag cancel, sold for C$3,042
Lot 1272 Toronto (Type 8-23 Barred Involute Flag) Die Letter G, FEB 23 (17-0) 1898 complete and clear strike tying a 3c Leaf on a corner card cover (with letterhead enclosure). Very elusive machine postmark reported used during only three hours on this day. From the Robert Heasman Collection of Early Canadian Machine Cancellations. Estimate C$2,000, sold for $2600 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1102, Canada 1759 group of three folded letters from the Québec Military Campaign to Captain Boughey Skey, sold for C$53,820
Lot 1102 Group of Three Folded Letters Written During the 1759 Québec Military Campaign, all three are addressed to Captain Boughey Skey, Commander of the Guard at the Bridges of the River St Charles, of the 43d Regiment of Foot (Kennedy’s Grenadiers). The first letter is datelined “Camp Point Lévis 28th July 1759 / 10 at Night” and was written by Brigade Major John Spital (wounded on Sep 13, 1759), informing Skey that “…by orders of the General (Wolfe)… you march to the Encampment of the Grenadiers.. and put yourself under Major Morris’s Orders… your men are only to carry their blankets with them…”, etc. Written on the eve of the Battle of Beauport, also known as the Battle of Montmorency. The second letter is unaddressed, but starts off with “Dear Skey”, datelined “Québec October the 21st 1759” written by Major of Brigade Richard Maitland (wounded Aug 8, 1759), informing Skey that the General (Wolfe) has intelligence suggesting that there are enemies “…on your side, and that they intend to surprise you… he desires that you be very alert…”. The third letter is datelined “Québec 22 (October) 1759 / 6 oclock”, written by Thomas Mills (wounded in Apr/May 1760) informing Skey that General Mills will be sending “…40 men out to the Country, they will come near your post at night…”. This third letter has a half-remnant of a red wax seal bearing the arms and motto of General James Murray (who served immediately under General Wolfe and later became Governor of Québec). None of the letters have any postal indications and would have been carried “post haste” by army officers in this tumultuous time in Québec. The River St Charles (where Skey and his men were posted) is the principal river within Québec City and played a prominent role during the Québec Campaign of 1759/1760. Captain Boughey Skey joined the Army in 1747 and became part of this Regiment in 1751. He would have certainly taken part in the famous Battle of the Plains of Abraham, which took place on Sep 13, 1759. A very important trio of letters in very fine condition. Estimate $5,000, sold for C$46,000.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
