A Traditional Philatelic Auction House — Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Day 2 of Sale 49 continues today with Postal History.
Lot 726 India FEB.11, 1911 World’s First Official Air Mail Flight, Allahabad to Naini Junction, a registered cover with large magenta First Aerial Post cachet canceling the 2R stamp, plus a second free strike, addressed to “Local”, with Allahabad registration label. Back has two Allahabad receivers (FE 18 and FE 20). Wrinkles and light staining from label at top, else fine and rare. Estimate C$500.
Lot 1386A 1911.FEB.11 World’s First Official Air Mail Flight, Allahabad to Naini Junction, then to Calcutta, with Allahabad and Bombay datestamps on front. A large size post card with large magenta First Aerial Post cachet canceling stamp, plus a second free strike, reverse depicting the biplane used for this historical air mail flight. The card is signed on back by the pilot Henri Pequet (only 40 recorded) and on front by Stephen H. Smith. Tears at bottom, still a rare and desirable flight. From the Pont Collection. Estimate $1,000, sold for C$4,000.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1547 India FEB.11.1911 World’s First official Air Mail Flight, Allahbad to Naini Junction, then to Calcutta. A large size post card with large magenta First Aerial Post cachet canceling stamp, reverse depicting the biplane used for this historical air mail flight. The card is also signed by the pilot Henri Pequet (only 40 recorded) and expert Stephen H. Smith. Serious creases and tears, still an important flight item. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, sold for C$1,700.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
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 1549 India FEB.11.1911 World’s First official Air Mail Flight, Allahbad to Naini Junction. A large piece of a cover franked with a 3r Queen Victoria, cancelled by a large magenta First Aerial Post cachet, plus a second free strike, reverse is addressed to Glass Bangles Merchants in Firozabad (Dist. Agra). A few hinge remnants, still a scarce and possibly unique franking for this popular flight. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $100, sold for C$950.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.