Lot 1439 1929.NOV.4 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.20. 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 and light edge wear at top, still very fine and desirable. From the Leon Victor Pont Collection of early India First Flight postal history. Estimate $2,500, sold for $2,400 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Stephen H Smith
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 1573, India 1931 Akyab to Calcutta first flight with stamp variety, sold for C$1,462
Lot 1573 India MAY.1.1931 Akyab to Calcutta First Flight with Stamp Variety, lovely cacheted envelope is franked with a 1a KGV definitive, plus a 3a Air Mail stamp, the latter with with 1 instead of second I” variety (S.G. #221b £325 for used). Front and back ALSO have a purple handstamp reading “VIA IMPERIAL AIRWAYS, / 1ST EXPERIMENTAL FLIGHT / AUSTRALIA TO ENGLAND”. Cover is addressed to Stephen H. Smith (and signed by him on back), alongside a MAY.4 Calcutta receiver. A scarce variety, especially on cover, very fine. From the The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Est $100, sold for C$1,250.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.
Lot 1547, India 1911 world’s first offical air mail flight, Allahbad to Naini Junction then Calcutta, sold for C$1989
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 1566, India 1929 Inland 2a Airmail sheet margin block of four on cover, sold for C$1,111
Lot 1566 India DEC.20.1929 First Day of Issue of Inland 2a Air Mail Stamp on Cover, 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” on front, 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 The Leon Victor Pont Collection of Early India, New Zealand and Worldwide Pioneer Flight Covers. Estimate $300, sold for C$950.00 plus 17% buyer’s premium.