Lot 336 Japan #121, 172a, C3-C7. 1935 (June 29), registered airmail postal card from Tokyo to Switzerland, typed “Par avion; Tokio (crossed out) – Tschita – Moskau – Berlin – Zurich. Chargee,” franked with 5s violet definitive, 8s Mt. Fuji, and complete set of 8½s to 30s Passenger Plane over Lake Ashi airmail issues, tied by two “TOKIO NIPPON” double-circle cancellations, with blue bilingual “PAR AVION” airmail label and violet “TOKIO A” handstamp on blue-on-white airmail etiquette, with Basel Flugpost (18 Jul) double-circle receiver on front, and violet Hsingking (I.N.P.O.) (3 Jul), Harbin (4 Jul), and Manchoukuo (6 Jul) single-circle transits, Olten (18 Jul) double-circle receiver backstamp, very fine. (Sc. #121, 172a, C3/7). Sold for C$275.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Tokyo
Lot 1437, 1929 Baron von Koenig Calcutta to Singapore, Osaka and Tokyo flight cover, sold for C$1,755
Lot 1437 1929.JUN.10 Baron von Keonig Calcutta to Singapore then Osaka to Tokyo Flight Cover, mailed unfranked and assessed 2a postage due in Calcutta (handstamp on front), with yellow flight label and “KAMERAD” purple flight cachet, addressed to Stephen Smith in Calcutta with a JUN.10 receiver on back alongside Smith signature and JUN.10 date. This is one of the few rare items missing in Mr. Pont’s personal collection, and we could not find any evidence of number of items flown. Couple of small faults still very fine appearance. Estimate $300, sold for C$1,500.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
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 1559, India 1929 Berlin to Tokyo flight “Kamerad” card, Calcutta-Singapore leg, sold for C$1,556
Lot 1559 India JAN.29.1929 Baron von Koenig Berlin to Tokyo, Calcutta-Singapore Leg. “Kamerad” card addressed to (and signed by) Stephen Smith, re-addressed to von Koenig (“the Boy Pilot”) in Singapore. The card has all the appropriate labels and handstamps (front and back, both scanned online). Very fine and rare, according to Mr. Pont one cover and 25 cards were carried. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $500, sold for C$1,330.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1521, Germany group of flown covers and cards franked with “Graf Zeppelin Crossing the Ocean” issues, 1928-1933, sold for C$3,159
Lot 1521 Germany Group of 19 Graf Zeppelin Flown Covers and Cards, 1928-1933, all franked with “Graf Zeppelin Crossing the Ocean” issues, and includes mail with C35 (x5), C36 (x6), C37 (x7), C38 (x2) and C43. Three C37 covers are to New York, as are 2 of the C36 pieces. Another C36 item is to Tokyo. Both the C40 stamps are used on South America flights. The C43 is on a flight to South America cover continued to India. Some minor creasing and tears (one of the C38 covers is stained but stamp is intact), at least one stamp is detached (hinged back on) still overall fine or better, all scanned online. The 2020 Scott catalogue value given is for the air mail stamps used on cover. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Scott CV U$2,665, sold for C$2,700.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.