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.
India
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.
Lot 1874, British Commonwealth lot of retired dealer material, sold for C$1,872
Lot 1874 British Commonwealth Valuable Lot of Retired Dealer Material, with several hundreds of mint and used singles and sets, some in priced 102 cards, some unpriced, some in stock sheets, and we note a good variety of material here, from the classics to about the 1960s, with many items cataloguing in the $20 to $100s or more range. Countries noted include New Zealand, Ceylon, Fiji, India and States, British Antarctic Territory, Virgin Islands, Falkland Islands, and more. Also included is a good selection of early GB, with six Penny Blacks, lots of Penny Reds, many QV issues with plate interest, over 100 Seahorses (to the 10sh), high denomination stamps, etc. We have not checked the dealer’s identifications or prices, but do note that the quality is overall nice, with faults on some of the earliest stamps. See our many scans for a sample, better yet inspect in person to better appreciate the high value and variety involved in this lot. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1593, India 1934-35 Rocket Mail covers, sold for C$1,872
Lot 1593 India Rocket Mail Collection of 22 Different Rocket Mail Covers, ranging from the very first SEP.30.1934 to APR.13.1935, with different labels, cachets, frankings, etc. All but three are addressed to Mr. Pont (the other three to Stephen Smith). All are scanned online and overall fine to very fine, save for a few wrinkles. A unique opportunity to obtain such a complete collection. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.