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.
India
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.
Lot 1538, Great Britain 1927 and 1928 Round The World flight covers, sold for C$1,521
Lot 153 Great Britain 1927 and 1928 Round The World Flight Covers, with GB stamps cancelled NOV.28.1927, India cancelled DEC.15.1927 and USA stamps (front and back) cancelled FEB.10.1928. Both covers addressed to Stephen Smith in Calcutta on front, and Roessler on the back. Very fine. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, sold for C$1,300.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1548, India 1911 stationery postcard from first official Airmail Flight Allahbad to Naini Junction, sold for C$1,404
Lot 1548 India FEB.11.1911 World’s First official Air Mail Flight, Allahbad to Naini Junction. A small size stationery post card with large magenta First Aerial Post cachet canceling stamp, reverse blank except for Henri Pequet pilot signature (only 40 recorded). Small hinge remnants on back and stain at right, still an important air mail item. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, sold for C$1,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1594, balance of India Rocket Mail collection, sold for C$3,744
Lot 1594 India Rocket Mail Balance of the Rocket Mail Collection, includes a total of 48 covers, with some duplication of up to 8, includes the SEP.30.1934 rocket (with 5x green labels and 6x blue labels), OCT.4.1934 rocket (with 4x red labels), DEC.16.1934 night firing (x4) and so on. Also includes an original 1934 publication signed by Stephen Smith titled “First Indian Rocket Despatches 1934” with three pages of historical facts on these fascinating trials. Also a group of 1935 Jubilee unused labels, with the first (x7) and two each of the four overprinted Sikkim labels. Last but not least is an original black and white photograph of Stephen Smith holding one of his rockets, signed by him. A great lot for dealers, resellers or rocket mail enthusiasts. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $2,000, sold for C$3,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.