Lot 1426 1928.SEP.20 to OCT.11 Calcutta to Rangoon Flight Covers, starting with SEP.20 flight (cover and card, latter is signed Stephen Smith, both with same cachet), OCT.4 flight (cover and card, both signed Stephen Smith, both with same cachets, one reading “Sea Plane Crashed at Cawnpore Carried by 4th Official Mail Plane H – N.A.C.F.“) and OCT.11 flight (cover signed by Stephen Smith). All five items are addressed to Mr. Leon V. Pont in Rangoon, Burma and are very fine. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $200, sold for C$600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Calcutta
Lot 1429, 1928 Calcutta via Berlin to Tokyo flight cover
Session Three, Postal History, begins today at about 9:30am, immediately following the Commonwealth/Worldwide section.
Lot 1429 1928.SEP.30 Baron von Huenefeld Berlin to Tokyo Flight, Calcutta to Tokyo Japan Leg, addressed to Stephen Smith, care of the German Consulate in Tokyo, Japan, with green “Europa SS” flight cachet and violet “Baron Huenefled” and blue “Tokio 18 Oct.” handstamps, Stephen Smith message and signature on reverse reading “Greetings by Baron von Huenfeld, etc.” Very Fine, only 47 cards carried on this leg of the flight. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate C$350.
Lot 1439, 1929 India First Day Flown Registered Cover Calcutta to London, sold for C$2,808
Lot 1439 1929.NOV.4 First Day of Issue of Air Mail Stamps Flown Registered Cover, mailed from Park Street Calcutta to Leon Pont in London England, “by Imperial Airways / India – Great Britain”. The cover is franked with all five stamps issued on that day (the 2a was issued later), and has four different air mail labels plus a boxed “FIRST DAY / OF ISSUE OF / AIR MAIL STAMPS”, with Park Street registration label on back, plus an oval registration receiver dated NOV.20. The cover is signed on back by G. Grant (the designer of the stamps) and Stephen H. Smith. Small tear at top, into the 4a stamp and light edge wear at top, still very fine and desirable. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $2,500, sold for $2,400 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1453, 1930 First Flight Cover from Calcutta to Alameda California
Lot 1453 1930.MAR.9 “Maryland Free State” First Flight from Calcutta to Alameda, California, piloted by Geysendorffer and Scholte, franked with 1a KGV definitive and a USA 2c cancelled at Alameda on MAY.12. Handstamped “AIR LINER / MARYLAND FREE STATE” and signed by pilot Scholte. Addressed to Stephen Smith, with his signature on back. A rare cover, with only 26 covers flown. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $1,000.
Lot 1564, India 1929 First Day of Issue Airmail flown Registered to England, sold for C$3,744
Lot 1564 India NOV.4.1929 First Day of Issue of Air Mail Stamps Flown Registered Cover, mailed from Park Street Calcutta to Leon Pont in London England, “by Imperial Airways / India – Great Britain.” The cover is franked with all five stamps issued on that day (the 2a was issued later), and has four different air mail labels plus a boxed “FIRST DAY / OF ISSUE OF / AIR MAIL STAMPS”, with Park Street registration label on back, plus an oval registration receiver dated NOV.30. The cover is signed on back by G. Grant (the designer of the stamps) and Stephen H. Smith. Small tear at top, into the 4a stamp, still very fine and rare. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Est $2,000, sold for C$3,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.