Lot 481 Group of eight 2c UPU Stationery Cards to eight Different Destinations, with 1888 to Mexico, 1892 to Turkey, 1893 to India, 1895 to Sweden, 1895 to Russia, 1896 to Belgium, 1896 to Germany, and 1910 to Costa Rica. Most cards have interesting transit and receiver postmarks, some have toning, otherwise mostly fine or better. See scans. Estimate $250, sold for C$525.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
India
Lot 1443, 1929 first day of issue India 2a Airmail stamp on cover, sold for $2,223
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.
Lot 1457, India 1930 R.A.F. goodwill flight to Singapore, sold for C$5,148
Lot 1457 India 1930.OCT.29 R.A.F. Goodwill Flight to Singapore, from Karachi to Bangkok, franked with Indian and Siamese stamps, duly cancelled in Bangkok on NOV.7 (front and back). This cover was signed by the pilot Flight Lieutenant D.F. Anderson. Very fine and rare, with only ten items flown. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $500, sold for C$4,400.00 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 1572, India 1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, sold for C$1,462
Lot 1572 India APR.3.1931 Calcutta to Port Darwin Australia Flight Cover, franked with a pair of ½a and a single 1a KGV pictorial definitives, plus an Australian 2d stamp tied by Darwin c.d.s. dated APR.24. The cover has a purple cachet depicting a lion and “BRITISH FLIGHT / ENGLAND – AUSTRALIA” plus the pilot names. Also a violet “DETAINED TILL 5th APRIL / ENGINE OVERHAULED” handstamp on front. Back shows two Park Street Calcutta c.d.s. dated APR.3 and MAY.25 alongside Stephen Smith signature. Very fine, with only 43 items flown. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $300, sold for C$1,250.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.