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.
Leon Victor Pont
Lot 1565, India 1929 First Day of Issue Airmail stamps on registered FFCs, four covers, sold for C$7,254
Lot 1565 India NOV.4.1929 First Day of Issue of Air Mail Stamps First Flight Registered Covers, with four covers, each franked with a sheet margin block of four of the 3a, 6a, 8a and 12a first Air Mail stamps, with signature of their designer G. Grant (and date) on the selvedges. These covers were mailed registered to Leon Pont in London, England, “By Imperial Airways / India – Great Britain”, with Stephen H. Smith signature on backs, alongside NOV.20 oval registration receivers. Rare and very fine, all scanned online. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $2,000, sold for C$6,200.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1521, Germany group of flown covers and cards franked with “Graf Zeppelin Crossing the Ocean” issues, 1928-1933, sold for C$3,159
Lot 1521 Germany Group of 19 Graf Zeppelin Flown Covers and Cards, 1928-1933, all franked with “Graf Zeppelin Crossing the Ocean” issues, and includes mail with C35 (x5), C36 (x6), C37 (x7), C38 (x2) and C43. Three C37 covers are to New York, as are 2 of the C36 pieces. Another C36 item is to Tokyo. Both the C40 stamps are used on South America flights. The C43 is on a flight to South America cover continued to India. Some minor creasing and tears (one of the C38 covers is stained but stamp is intact), at least one stamp is detached (hinged back on) still overall fine or better, all scanned online. The 2020 Scott catalogue value given is for the air mail stamps used on cover. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Scott CV U$2,665, sold for C$2,700.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1522, Germany Group of Graf Zeppelin flown covers and cards, 1929-34, sold for C$2,106
Lot 1522 Germany, Group of Graf Zeppelin Flown Covers and Cards, 1929-1934, includes 18 Zeppelin picture post cards. Note mail from flights to both North and South America, Holy Land, Egypt and Rome. Also a number of pieces of “On Board” mail. Note one card flown in 1912 and then re-flown on the Graf Zeppelin in 1931. Also note a “Meteor” post card and other desirable items. Overall fine or better group, 54 scans online. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$1,800.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1633, United States 1927 Bremen Catapult flight cover Newark, New Jersey to India, sold for C$3,042
Lot 1633 United States August 1927 Bremen Catapult Flight Cover to India, franked with 20c in postage, mailed at Newark, New Jersey on JUL.26.1929 and sent to Europe via the Bremen Catapult Mail Service. Has the usual Bremen “KATAPULTFLUG” cachet for this flight. Addressed to Stephen Smith, the dean of Indian Air mail, and good friend of Mr. Pont, in Calcutta, India, and signed by him on back (in 1929). Few small faults, still a rare catapult flight destination, with both sides scanned online. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, for C$2,600.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
