Lot 1436 CVR 1929.MAY.31 Croydon to Calcutta Flight on the “Maryland Free State”, a newspaper wrapper endorsed “printed matter”, with single line cachet handstamp (front and back) addressed to Smith in Calcutta, with manuscript note on back reading “J.B. Scholte / pilot C-aadr / :Maryland Free State” / carried from London to Calcutta / June 10th, 1929″ with JUN.10 Calcutta receiver. Vertical crease at left and stain on back, still a very rare item with only one cover and 13 newspapers flown. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $350, sold for C$1,400.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Croydon
Lot 1452, 1930 Delhi to Croydon first flight cover with variety, sold for C$2,925
Lot 1452 1930.JAN.17 Delhi to Croydon First Flight Cover with Stamp Variety, lovely cacheted envelope is franked with a sheet margin vertical pair of the 8a Air Mail stamps, with top stamp showing the “Missing tree-top” (S.G. #224a £250 used), also indicated in light pencil on cover as “Foliage missing”. The selvedge is signed by the stamp’s designer G. Grant (plus another signature), with another “G. Grant 17th Jan” signature on back alongside signature of Stephen H. Smith. A scarce variety, especially on cover, very fine. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$2,500.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1511, 1932 Madras to Karachi and back, first flight set from Croydon England, sold for C$1228
Lot 1511 1932.OCT.15-18 Madras to Karachi and Back, from Croydon, England First Flight Set, includes all four legs of the Karachi to Madras (15 OCT) and all four legs of the Madras to Karachi (18 OCT), to and from Ahmedabad, Bombay, Bellary and Madras, to and from Croydon England. These all with Union Jack design. Three more covers are included without Union Jack flag, all from Croydon, England to Bellary, Madras and Ahmedabad. These colourful covers were designed by Stephen Smith “by Sanction of Messrs. Tata Sons Ltd” with inscription on back reading “A Souvenir of a Great Indian Enterprise” and signed by Stephen Smith. The cover design was originally submitted with a Union Jack, which proved to be less than popular, so most of the stock was destroyed. Those that remained were meant for foreign collectors, and those without the flag for Indian collectors. All of these are addressed to Mr. Pont, in Bengal, India, and rrom the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Some have staining or small faults (mostly on back), still overall fine and a rare offering. Estimate $300, sold for C$1,050.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1569, India 1931 Delhi to Croydon First Flight cover with variety, sold for C$3,393
Lot 1569 India FEB.6.1931 Delhi to Croydon First Flight Cover with Stamp Variety, lovely cacheted envelope is franked with a sheet margin vertical pair of the 8a Air Mail stamps, with top stamp showing the “Missing tree-top” (S.G. #224a £250 used), also indicated in light pencil on cover as “Foliage missing”. The selvedge is signed by the stamp’s designer G. Grant (plus another signature), with another G. Grant signature on back alongside signature of Stephen H. Smith. 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. Estimate $100, sold for C$2,900.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
