AUSTRALIA
1919 (November 12), ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA FLIGHT BY THE BROTHERS KEITH AND ROSS SMITH, the blue vignette with full margins, unmounted mint (hinged in the margins), very fine. An important Australian Air Mail rarity
1919 (November 12), ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA FLIGHT BY THE BROTHERS KEITH AND ROSS SMITH, the blue vignette, tied by oval "FIRST AERIAL MAIL" datestamp of February 26 1920 to envelope addressed to Mrs. Andrew Smith (the mother of Keith and Ross) in South Australia and additionally bearing Great Britain 1d., France 10c., Italy 10c., Egypt 5m., India 2a., Thailand 5s., Straits Settlements 5c., Greece 10L., Netherlands Indies 12½c. and Australia 2d. applied at various stages in transit and all tied by the oval "FIRST AERIAL MAIL" datestamps, blue "PER/VICKERS "VIMY" AEROPLANE/TO AUSTRALIA" cachet alongside, flap missing, fine. By far the most spectacular of all the "Ross Smith" covers. Ex Gaetano Vullo. Cover number 302 in the new Eustis listing and described by him on page 17 of "The Australian Air Mail Catalogue" ( See Photo )
ARGENTINA
1923 (December 31), TRIAL FLIGHT BETWEEN BUENOS AIRES AND MONTEVIDEO BY THE ENGLISH AVIATRIX SHIRLEY KINGSLEY, envelope franked San Martin 5c. strip of three, endorsed in manuscript "Por aeroplano", arrival c.d.s. of Jan. 1 1924, fine. One of only two recorded covers carried on this flight. With Sociedad Argentina de Aerofilatelia certificate (1994) ( See Photo )
BRAZIL
1925 to 1931, A SELECTION OF FOURTEEN AIR MAIL COVERS, including 1925 (Jan.) Survey flight from Rio de Janeiro to Buenos Aires, 1925 (March 6) Survey flight from Rio de Janeiro to Bahia and Pernambuco, both by the Latecoere Company, 1929 (July 29) Rio de Janeiro to Sao Paulo by E.T.A., 1930 (May) Zeppelin return flight franked 300r., "Zeppelin USA" 10,000r., 1930 (Aug. 30) first land plane flight from Brazil to the United States by Lewis A. Yancey, envelope bearing six Brazil values tied by blue Succ. No. 7 datestamps and United States Air Mail 5c. tied by Miami duplex cancellation of September 16, signed by the Pilot, etc., good to fine ( See Photo )
1926 (September), NEW YORK TO BUENOS AIRES FLIGHT BY DUGGAN, OLIVERA AND CAMPANELLI, envelope franked 10r., 20r. (2), 50r. and 100r., tied by violet boxed "AVIAO "BUENOS AYRES"/RAID/New York-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Ayres" cachet and unclear cancellations, fine. Only ten covers believed to have been carried ( See Photo )
1929 (July 29), FIRST EMPRESSA DE TRANSPORTES AEROS (E.T.A.) AIR MAIL FLIGHT FROM RIO DE JANEIRO TO SAO PAULO, "Banco do Commercio e industria de Sao Paulo" envelope franked 1920-40 "Mercury" 300r., E.T.A. 200r. and 1000r. with boxed violet "PELO CORREIO AEREO/DA/ETA" cancellations, central filing fold and traces of staining, fine. A very rare commercial acceptance ( See Photo )
CANADA
1918 (June 24), ATTEMPTED MONTREAL TO TORONTO FLIGHT BY CAPTAIN BRIAN PECK, envelope Registered to England, franked War Tax 2c. + 1c. tied by special red triangular "Via/Aerial Mail/Montreal/23/6/18" and 5c. tied by "R" in oval, Toronto arrival c.d.s. of June 24 on reverse and signed by the Pilot, fine and rare. Illustrated on page 16 of "British External Airmails until 1934" by A. Newall and on page 25 of "The Air Mails of Canada and Newfoundland" (A.A.M.C.PF-6a) ( See Photo )
1918 (July 8), CALGARY TO EDMONTON FLIGHT BY MISS KATHERINE STINSON, wrapper made from a map of Alberta and containing a message from Miss Stinson, franked War Tax 2c. + 1c. tied by violet "Aeroplane Mail Service/- JULY 9, 1919 -/CALGARY, ALBERTA" cachet, Edmonton arrival datestamp on reverse, fine and extremely rare. Very few covers from this flight have survived and not all covers flown received the special cachet (A.A.M.C. PF-7) ( See Photo )
CHINA
1925 (September 21), SHANGHAI TO TOKIO FLIGHT BY COMMANDER DE PINEDO, envelope addressed to Nagasaki franked 3c. on 4c. with Nanking cancellation, violet boxed "FIRST AIRMAIL/CHINA-JAPAN" cachet and signed by the Pilot; fine and scarce. One of only fifty covers carried on this flight ( See Photo )
COLOMBIA - S.C.A.D.T.A.
1923-27 MACHINE OVERPRINTED IN BERLIN "Su" (Sweden) 30c. and 2p., used with Sweden 30ö and 1k. on large cover to Bogota, Stockholm cancellations of Nov. 2 1927, with Barranquilla c.d.s. of Nov. 28 and blue Recibo cachet of the same date alongside, fine. A rare and desirable cover ( See Photo )
1923-27 MACHINE OVERPRINTED IN BERLIN "S" (Switzerland), envelope to Bogota franked William Tell 40c. with Lugano cancellation of July 9 1924, additionally franked 5c., 10c. and 15c. with Barranquilla cancellation of Aug. 4, on reverse multicoloured vignette tied by arrival marking; the envelope with light fold and slightly stained at lower-right, very scarce ( See Photo )
INDIA
1920 (February 14), ATTEMPTED ROME TO TOKYO MASS FLIGHT, picture postcard (General View Jubbulpore) to Karachi franked 1911-22 1a. carmine with Chabar Persian Gulf cancellation, the card endorsed "By the first Italian "SVA" Aeroplane flying from Rome to Tokio via Charbar", signed by Lt. Ferrarin and G. Linton, vertical crack, otherwise fine. One of only four cards recorded. With B.P.A. certificate (2004). Also a stampless picture postcard (depicting Scarporolo, Fernati and Linton, the crew of one of the Aircraft), addressed to Karachi and signed on the address side by Captain Ranza; a little stained. Unique ( See Photo )
1919 (November 12), FIRST ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA FLIGHT BY KEITH AND ROSS SMITH, envelope to Karachi with light violet "PER/Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane/To Australia" cachet, franked on reverse 1911-22 ½a., 1a. (2) with Bandar Abbas cancellations of November 24, Karachi arrival of November 25, fine. One of only twelve recorded covers to or from India and there is only one other cover carried from Bandar Abbas to Karachi ( See Photo )
1925 (May), CALCUTTA TO MELBOURNE FLIGHT BY COMMANDER DE PINEDO, the right hand part of an envelope franked ½a. and 1½a. (both uncancelled), red "Italian Consul General's (Melbourne) letter 12-11-25/No. 750/11./Calcutta to Melbourne by Seaplane 13/5/25." cachet on the front and boxed violet "ITALIAN WORLD AIR FLIGHT" cachet on the reverse; fine.The envelopes carried on this flight were originally signed by Commander De Pinedo, but as the promoters of the flight declined to contribute 20 rupees to Italian Charities for each letter carried he cut off the portion bearing his signature ( See Photo )
1929 (April 24), NON-STOP UNITED KINGDOM TO INDIA FLIGHT BY SQUADRON LEADER A.G. JONES-WILLIAMS AND FLIGHT Lt. N.H. JENKINS, envelope, with enclosure, addressed to 39 Squadron R.A.F. Risalpur N.W.F.P, franked 1a. and with Aeroplane and globe blue vignette alongside, type-written "Carried on the FAIREY LONG RANGE MONOPLANE NO J.9479 From Cranwell, England TO" (manuscript) Karachi India and as usual with dates of despatch and arrival entered and initialled by Jones-Williams; fine and extremely rare. A previously unrecorded cover from this flight ( See Photo )
1932 (October 4), IMPERIAL AIRWAYS FIRST FLIGHT OF THE NEW ROUTE TO INDIA, souvenir cover from the return flight franked ½a., New Delhi 1a. and Air 6a., addressed to Cyprus and with typewritten "KARACHI-CYPRUS", Cairo transit datestamp on the reverse, fine and scarce ( See Photo )
IRAQ
1919 (January 9), BAGHDAD TO DELHI FLIGHT, envelope addressed to England and re-addresed to France, endorsed "On Active Service" and "By Aeroplane", franked 1918-21 1a. on 20pa. red (vertical pair) with magenta "POSTAL SERVICE M.E.F. AERIAL POST-BAGHDAD DEHLI PER HANDLEY-PAGE AEROPLANE" cachet and F.P.O. 55 datestamp, on reverse violet "CARRIED BY AERIAL MAIL BAGDAD-DELHI JANY.1919", Delhi transit of Jan. 20 and London arrival of Feb. 17; fine and rare ( See Photo )
ITALY
1910 (March 28th. - April 7th.), FLORENCE AVIATION WEEK, special picture post card (FIRENZE-Il Campo di Marte) bearing 1906-08 5c. green with "CAMPO D'AVIAZIONE/FIRENZE" cancellation of March 29 1910 and with another strike repeated alongside; fresh and fine. Very rare. With E. Diena certificate (1988) ( See Photo )
1917 (May 20) AIR 25c. ROSE, tied to Circolo Filatelico Italiano Torino by Posta Aerea/Roma Torino c.d.s., fine and scarce. Only 42 cards carried ( See Photo )
1929 (JULY 17), ROME TO PARIS AND LONDON FLIGHT BY WILLIAMS AND YANCY, envelope ("L'AVIAZIONE" ) addressed to the Italian Air Attache in London, franked 1L. 25, 1927 Air 80c. on 1L. blue (2) with Roma Aeroporto Littoria Posta Aera cancellations, Le Bourget/Posta Aerien datestamp below (and another strike on reverse) and with straight line "LEBOURGET-PORT-AERIEN" on reverse; fine and extremely rare. One of only eleven covers carried to London. With F. Longhi certificate (2006) ( See Photo )
GENERAL ITALO BALBO: A SELECTION, comprising Italy 1930 Transatlantic 7L. 70 used with Postage 1L. 25 on special envelope addressed to and signed by Balbo; Iceland 1933 Hopflug set o.g.; 1933 Transatlantic Mass flight with Italy unfranked card with Orbetello and Roma Ferrovia datestamps of June 19, Special Decannale cachet; 5L. 25 + 19L. 75 (I-CALO) on Express cover to Germany; 5L. 25 + 44L. 75 (I-CALO) on souvenir envelope to Chicago; Tripolitania 1933 19L. 75 brown and black and 44L. 75 green and blue on seperate covers with additional frankings, both addressed to the United States; Cyrenaica 1933 19L. 75 blue and deep green and 44L. 75 steel blue and scarlet on seperate covers with additional frankings to New York or London; Netherlands 7½c., 30c. and 2½g. on cover dated June 18 to Iceland with red "Transatlantische Vlucht/van Italiaansche Vliegtuigen 1933" cachet; Canada July 15 and July 15 covers with $1.43 and $1.56 frankings; Newfoundland July 26 envelope signed Balbo and franked Balbo $4.50 with St. John's cancellation; United States July 24 envelope franked 50c., $1, $2 and Air 10c. and with "ITALIAN AIR CRUISE" cachet alongside; Libya 1935 (Oct. 13) envelope to Indiana, signed "Italo Balbo" and franked 1921 25c., 1L., additionally franked United States 5c. on arrival; fine, a stunning group ( See Photo )
1933 AIR BALBO 5L. 25 + 19L. 75 SCARLET AND GREEN/GREEN AND SCARLET "I-BORG" WITH "QUIFFE" VARIETY, unmounted mint from the top of the sheet, small natural inclusion, fine. Signed in the margin by Bruno Borghetti and with a signed photograph of him (378)
1933 AIR BALBO "SERVIZIO DI STATO" 5L. 25 + 44L. 75 GREEN AND SCARLET/SCARLET AND GREEN, tied by Roma Ferrovia datestamps of June 14 1933 to long envelope Registered to New York, Rome Air Ministry Registration handstamp, special cachets in red and black and with multicoloured vignette on the front, very fine. Signed G. Bolaffi. A tremendous World Air Mail rarity (O379) ( See Photo )
1933 (June 30), GERMAN 5pf. POSTAL STATIONERY CARD, addressed to Berlin and additionally franked by 1926-31 Air 10pf., 15pf., 3m. and 1928-31 Zeppelin 1m., 2m. and 4m., all with Munich cancellations of June 30 1933, special "CROCIERA AEREA DEL DECENNALE/ITALIA-NORD AMERICA" cachet in blue, on reverse "CROCEIRA" datestamp of July 1 and Chicago arrival duplex marking of July 17; fine. A rare and spectacular cover. One of only twenty pieces bearing German frankings carried on the Balbo Mass flight. With E. Diena certificate (1986) ( See Photo )
1933 BALBO 5L. 25 + 19. 75 SCARLET AND GREEN/GREEN AND SCARLET, 5L. 25 + 44L. 75 GREEN AND SCARLET/SCARLET AND GREEN, each used on seperate envelope Registered to Rome, one via Amsterdam, the other via New York and with the appropriate datestamps on the reverse; fine and a very rare pair of covers. With G. Bolaffi certificates (123, 124) ( See Photo )
AEGEAN ISLANDS
KUWAIT
1933 (May 23), FIRST FLIGHT TO ATHENS, envelope franked 2a., 2a. 6p., on reverse Athens arrival datestamp of May 27 and Air Mail cachet; fine ( See Photo )
MEXICO
1935 AMELIA EARHART'S GOODWILL FLIGHT TO MEXICO 20c. LAKE, unmounted mint from the upper-right corner of the sheet, pencilled and handstamped signatures on the reverse, hinged in the margin, fine. A splendid example of the rare and popular classic Air Mail issue. Only 300 examples overprinted. With E. Diena and A. Bolaffi certificates (1989) (581a)
1935 AMELIA EARHART'S GOODWILL FLIGHT TO MEXICO 20c. LAKE, used with Official Air 40c. and both tied by Servicio Aereo Mexico D.F. cancellation to envelope Registered to George Putnam (Amelia Earhart's husband) in New York, additionally franked United States 3c. and 15c. with Newark duplex cancellation of May 8, endorsed "Carried by air May 8, 1935-" and signed by the Aviatrix, a variety of transit and arrival markings on the reverse, fine and extremely rare. One of only thirty-five covers carried bearing the special stamp. With F. Longhi certificate (2006) (581a) ( See Photo )
1935 AMELIA EARHART'S GOODWILL FLIGHT TO MEXICO, envelope franked United States Air 10c. with Air Mail Field Los Angeles duplex cancellation of April 19, Registered to Miss Amelia Earhart at the Regis Hotel in Mexico City, arrival datestamp of April 20, additionally franked Mexico Official Air 40c. with Servicio Aereo Mexico D.F. cancellation of May 2, endorsed "Carried by Air" and signed by the Aviatrix and finally franked United States 3c. and 15c. with Newark duplex cancellations to pay the internal postage; fine and rare. With F. Longhi certificate (2006) ( See Photo )
NEWFOUNDLAND
1919 (April 12), ATTEMPTED AERIAL CROSSING OF THE ATLANTIC BY HAWKER AND MACKENZIE GRIEVE IN THE SOPWITH "ATLANTIC", envelope with enclosure and embossed "Government House Newfoundland" on flap, addressed to Mrs. Woods Mason in London and bearing a well centred example of the "Hawker" 3c. brown tied by St. John's machine cancellation of April 12 1919, as usual without any arrival markings, fine. An Air Mail rarity. With E. Diena certificate (1984) (182) ( See Photo )
1919 (June 14), FIRST NON STOP ATLANTIC AERIAL CROSSING BY ALCOCK AND BROWN, envelope with enclosure to London, endorsed "By Aeroplane" and signed by Mackenzie-Grieve at lower-left, franked "Trans-Atlantic" $1 on 15c. bright scarlet with St. John's machine cancellation of June 9 and Harbour Grace c.d.s. of June 14 below, fine ( See Photo )
Please note: This is a Handley - Page flight attempt not from the Alcock flight. No change to estimate.
1919, THE "MARTINSYDE" ATTEMPTED AERIAL CROSSING OF THE ATLANTIC, "Crosbie Hotel" advertising envelope, franked "Transatlantic" $1 on 15c. bright scarlet, variety no comma after "AIR POST", tied by St. John's machine cancellation of July 12 to envelope addressed to Surrey, London arrival datestamp of Jan. 7 on the reverse, fine. A rare cover from the Supplementary Mail which consisted of just twenty-five items ( See Photo )
1930 "COLUMBIA" AIR MAIL 50c. on 36c. sage-green, reconstructed "sheet" of the four types, positions one and two o.g., three and four an unmounted mint pair, fine. Rare. Cat. £22,000+ (191)
1933 AIR BALBO MASS TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT $4.50 on 75c. yellow-brown, surcharge inverted, original gum, fine. One of the rarest twentieth century stamps and a famous Air Mail Classic. Only one "sheet" of four with inverted surcharges survived undamaged, this stamp is position number 1 of the block which is illustrated on page 159 of "NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAILS" by C.H.C.Harmer. With A. Diena (1969) and E. Diena (1977) certificates (235a)
1933 AIR BALBO MASS TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT $4.50 on 10c. "Land of Heart's Delight" orange-yellow, the famous error of colour, number 2 of the setting, original gum, fine. A great Newfoundland and Air Mail rarity. With B.P.A. certificate (1971) (235b)
NEW ZEALAND
RUSSIA
1930 GRAF ZEPPELIN FLIGHT TO MOSCOW IMPERFORATE 40k. blue, a large part original gum example showing an unusual pre-printing paper crease, large margins, fine and scarce (574b var.)
1934 10th. ANNIVERSARY OF THE SOVIET CIVIL AVIATION AND U.S.S.R. AIR-MAIL SERVICE 10k. green, a block of four from the lower-right corner of the sheet comprising two imperf. between horizontal pairs, neatly cancelled to order (as always), fine and scarce (644aB)
1935 (August 3), MOSCOW TO SAN FRANCISCO FLIGHT VIA THE NORTH POLE BY COMMANDER LEVANESKY, envelope Registered to New York franked 1r. on 10k. sepia with the error "lower case letter in the third line", Moscow cancellation and with special five line cachet in violet alongside, fine. A great Russian Air Mail rarity. With Z. Mikulski (1985) and E. Diena (1989) certificates (706b) ( See Photo )
Siberia: FAR EASTERN REPUBLIC: 1923 VLADIVOSTOCK EMERGENCY FLIGHT imperf. 20k. on 1k., perf. 20k. on 1k. (2), 20k. on 15k. (2), 20k. on 20k., 20k. on 15k. and 20k. on 35k. on 2k., o.g. or part o.g., the two duplicated values have small faults, otherwise fresh and fine. A rare group, all signed by either Romeko or Mikulski (and with other handstamps) (Michel 45A, 45B, 52A, 53A, 56A, 58)