Lot 1443 1929.DEC.20 First Day of Issue of Inland 2a Air Mail Stamp on Cover, hand made cover depicting a large airplane, some palm trees and Stephen Smith’s flight map of India, franked with a sheet margin block of four, signed and dated in selvedge by G. Grant, the stamp’s designer. There is a double-boxed “DATE OF ISSUE / INLAND / AIR MAIL STAMP” (front and back), addressed to Stephen H. Smith in Calcutta, with his signature on back, alongside a same day receiver. Light stains, still scarce and very fine. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $750, sold for C$1,900.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
G. Grant
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 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.
Lot 1566, India 1929 Inland 2a Airmail sheet margin block of four on cover, sold for C$1,111
Lot 1566 India DEC.20.1929 First Day of Issue of Inland 2a Air Mail Stamp on Cover, franked with a sheet margin block of four, signed and dated in selvedge by G. Grant, the stamp’s designer. There is a double-boxed “DATE OF ISSUE / INLAND / AIR MAIL STAMP” on front, addressed to Stephen H. Smith in Calcutta, with his signature on back, alongside a same day receiver. Light stains, still scarce and very fine. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $300, sold for C$950.00 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.
