Lot 1573 India MAY.1.1931 Akyab to Calcutta First Flight with Stamp Variety, lovely cacheted envelope is franked with a 1a KGV definitive, plus a 3a Air Mail stamp, the latter with with 1 instead of second I” variety (S.G. #221b £325 for used). Front and back ALSO have a purple handstamp reading “VIA IMPERIAL AIRWAYS, / 1ST EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHT / AUSTRALIA TO ENGLAND”. Cover is addressed to Stephen H. Smith (and signed by him on back), alongside a MAY.4 Calcutta receiver. A scarce variety, especially on cover, very fine. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Est $100, sold for C$1,250.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
akyab
Lot 965 — India 1921 9p on 1a surcharge group with varieties, sold for $345
Lot 965 India #104, 104a, 104b 1921 9p on 1a King George Surcharge with Varieties, with a used regular, a mint hinged “PIES PIES” and a mint hinged double surcharge. Also included is a mint strip of three with the “NINE NINE” variety on the middle stamp. The sheet selvedge is signed and there is an additional certificate signed by the Akyab, Burma postmaster attesting that he has sold this strip from his stock in 1934. Fine or better. From the Stanstead Collection. Scott CV$337, sold for $300 plus buyer’s premium.