Lot 1386A 1911.FEB.11 World’s First Official Air Mail Flight, Allahabad to Naini Junction, then to Calcutta, with Allahabad and Bombay datestamps on front. A large size post card with large magenta First Aerial Post cachet canceling stamp, plus a second free strike, reverse depicting the biplane used for this historical air mail flight. The card is signed on back by the pilot Henri Pequet (only 40 recorded) and on front by Stephen H. Smith. Tears at bottom, still a rare and desirable flight. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$4,000.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Calcutta
Lot 1408, 1927 Dutch flight Calcutta to Batavia, sold for C$1,404
Lot 1408 1927.JUN.25 Dutch Flight Calcutta to Batavia, franked with two 1a stamps tied by Calcutta datestamp, alongside a red and white flight label with small black biplane, the cover is addressed to Batavia (with JUL.1 receiver on back, alongside a Weltevreden datestamp of the same day) there is a 15c Dutch postage due stamp on front. An overall fine cover, with only 31 carried. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $300, sold for C$1,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1509, 1932 Bertram Atlantis Round-the-World Flight, sold for C$4,446
Lot 1509 1932.APR.14 Bertram “Atlantis” Round-the-World Flight, flown Cologne to Calcutta, franked with 1a definitive and canceled at Park Street Calcutta. Front and back show a violet “Atlantis”/ Ichapur” cachet, and front has the route typed in red. Addressed to Stephen Smith, and signed on back by pilot Capt. Hans Bertram. This tiny card was in Mr. Pont’s exhibit, very fine. Estimate $150, sold for C$3,800.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1454, 1930 First Day of Issue 8a Air Mail Stationery, sold for C$1,287
Lot 1454 1930.MAY.1 First Day of Issue of the 8a Air Mail Stationery Cover, mailed from Calcutta to Mr. Pont in London, England on May 1st, the first day of issue. Cover is also a first flight cover for a Delhi to Croydon flight (with purple unofficial cachet). Stephen Smith signature on reverse, next to a note from Mr. Hayman “Rec’d 13 MAY 1930”. Very fine. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $200, sold for C$1,100.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1458, 1930 England to Australia flight cover, Calcutta to Rangoon, sold for C$1462
Lot 1458 1930.OCT.30 England to Australia Flight by Mr. Oscar Garden, mailed from Calcutta on OCT.30 to Stephen Smith in Rangoon, with boxed purple cachet reading “ENGLAND – AUSTRALIA FLIGHT / With Mr. Oscar Garden, Across the Bay of Bengal” plus a “Calcutta to Rangoon” air mail label. Franked with a block of four 3a plus a pair of ½a on back, with Rangoon arrival on NOV.1. Signed by Stephen Smith on back and Oscar Garden on front. Very fine and a very rare cover, with only 11 flown. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $500, sold for C$1,250.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.