A21 Rod Perry's Airborne Commercial Mail to Australasia 1899-1945 Part 4

Par t4

Auc t i o n2 1Bi ds he e t

Pl e as ec ompl e t eal lde t ai l sand t ur nt ous r e .

Name : Addr e s s : e mai l : phone :

15%

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790 791

792 793

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*

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794

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795

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1937 (Mar 10) ‘VIA CONDOR’ cover Buenos Aires to Sydney with typewritten ‘AIRMAIL ALL THE WAY TO AUSTRALIA.’ but with framed ‘PAR AVION JUSQU’EN EUROPE’ and at 1p15 paid only to that extent (UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 1p per 5gms). Attractive.

1937 (Jun 7) ‘VIA CONDOR’ registered cover Buenos Aires to Sydney endorsed ‘y Cairo/& Imperial Airways’, franked 1p65 representing UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 1p30 per 5gms plus 20c registration, DLH service connecting Cairo for Imperial Airways (flight IE557) to Australia, backstamped Buenos Aires, Darwin, TPO 2 South NSW, Manly, notation on reverse ‘First flight after/air mail agreement/with Sth. America’.

1937 (Jun 11) Via Panagra o Panair attractive registered cover Buenos Aires to Sydney endorsed ‘Via Panama &/Mailboat’, franked 1p35 (UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 1p per 5gms plus 20c registration), backstamped Buenos Aires, Sydney.

1937-39 covers Buenos Aires (except one) to New Zealand and Australia (3), comprising [1] 1937 (Jun 24) Banco de Londres cover to Wellington at 1p15 rate, [2] 1937 (Sep 25) AIR FRANCE cover to Sydney at 1p70 carried Air France to Paris thereafter joining Imperial Airways service (flight IE 588), backstamped Paris, Sydney, [3] 1938 (Jun 7) varying composition to Melbourne for 1p70 Air France/Imperial Airways link (flight IE 663), and [4] 1939 (Jul 14) Santa Elena to Minlaton SA franked 1p45 with framed ‘Par Avion de Buenos Aires a “Londres”‘, small fault, rare marking to this destination.

1937 (Dec 3) ‘VIA CONDOR’ postcard Buenos Aires to Mildura Victoria franked 35c for airmail postcard, framed ‘PAR AVION JUSQU’EN EUROPE’, blemishes, rare pre-war postcard.

1939 (Jul 21) registered Official cover Buenos Aires to Argentinean Vice Consul Wellington New Zealand, franked 1p95 being a rare combination of regular 5c and 25c, and overprinted ‘M.R.C.’ 15c and 1p and ‘SERVICIO/OFFICIAL’ 50c, backstamped Sydney. Attractive.

$200 $200

$250

$400

$250 $300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

796 797

798 799

800

801

*

*

*

*

*

*

1940 (Apr 18) Banco de Londres (Buenos Aires) registered cover to Sydney bearing high aggregate franking of 9p82, representing UPU 32c (20-40gms) plus airmail surcharge 1p55 per 5gms x6 plus 20c registration, backstamped Sydney, attractive and fine.

1940-41 selection from Buenos Aires, two censored, comprising [1] 1940 (Nov 11) Air France cover to Hobart endorsed ‘By Clipper’ and franked 1p70, Panagra etiquette, scarce Hobart Censor tape and handstamp, [2] 1940 (Nov 12) registered to Sydney franked 2p20, Sydney Censor tape/handstamp, and [3] Foreign Service of the U.S.A. cover to Sydney redirected Canberra, cancelled 1941 (Dec 6) the day prior to Pearl Harbour bombing.

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$250

$400

1942 (Jan 8) dual censored cover Buenos Aires to Sydney with typewritten instructions ‘via NEWYORKTrans-Pacific-Clipper’, which service ceased following Pearl Harbour, sent PanAm service via Atlantic, 2p20 rate (UPU 20c plus airmail surcharge 2p per 5gms), plain Censor tape at right tied by circular ‘PASSED BY/ CENSOR’ (West Indies) handstamp, further censored upon arrival at Sydney.

1942 (Nov 12) tri-censored M. Herrold cover Buenos Aires to Sydney franked aggregate 2p45 for PanAm service FAM22 via Africa, backstamped Leopoldville, USA Censor tape affixed at right, Egyptian censorship cancel, finally with Sydney Censor tape affixed upon arrival and tied by handstamp. Rare routing.

$250

1943 (Apr & Jun) dual censored registered covers from same correspondence La Plata to Sydney where redirected, earlier 2p65 rate with USA Censor tape and Cairo (‘71’) handstamp, backstamped Leopoldville, Perth, Sydney, Kensington, later at 1p35 rate with handstamped (both sides) ‘Por Avion hasta E.E.U.U. de N. Amarica’, backstamped New York, San Francisco, Sydney Kensington, USA Censor tape with Sydney tape/handstamp affixed thereover, excellent pair of routings for exhibit.

1943-45 censored trio Buenos Aires to Sydney (2) and Auckland, rates of 1p40 and 1p20 (2), bearing framed ‘Por Avion hasta E.E.U.U. de N. America’ handstamp (two variants), dual censored USA/Sydney, USA only, and Sydney only (corner fault), respectively. (3)

$600

$300

$300

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

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Bolivia

802 803

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*

1944 (Sep 14) USA Embassy (La Paz) registered censored cover to Melbourne bearing franking of 1940 9b Pan-American Union x9, two pre-cancelled and affixed subsequently to address space constraints, PanAm service, transits of New York, San Francisco, Honolulu, Brisbane, and Melbourne arrival, USA Censor tape, extraordinary origin/destination, most colourful.

1945 (Sep 25) registered cover La Paz to Melbourne bearing aggregate franking 19b60 for PanAm service, backstamped Miami, Honolulu, Melbourne, Prahran.

Brazil (see also Lot no. 45)

804

805 806

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*

*

1932 (Sep 26) cover to Mt.Lofty SA bearing aggregate franking of 7,700r, stamps tied by double-circle ‘CORREIO AEREO/4a.S.TARDE-PERNAM’ datestamp, rate to Europe was UPU 700r plus airmail surcharge 3,500r per 5gms x2, possibly by Air France, no indications, rare early airmail acceleration to destination.

1933 (Feb 3-10) trio of Pan American Airways System covers Parana to Perth (two addressees, same sender), franked 920r, 1,220r, and 1,200r, paid for internal airmail service only, thence surface via Egypt, where backstamped, faults, including adhesive tape remnants, reasonable presentation, early jusqu’a airmail items.

1936-37 Usina Brasil (Pará) covers from same correspondence to Sydney franked 4,400r (one 4,200r) sent

by DLH to Frankfurt or Stuttgart and subsequently joining Imperial Airways service, backstamped Stuttgart, Frankfurt, and/or Sydney, some small cover faults owing to unusual stock.

$400 $200

$500

$450 $200

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

807

808

809

810

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*

*

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1936 (Sep 9) General Electric cover Rio de Janeiro to Sydney franked 12,500r showing handstruck ‘SERVICO AEREO TRANSOCEANICO/CONDOR/ZEPPELIN/LUFTHANSA/BRASIL-EUROPA’, carried by Graf Zeppelin to Germany (Sep 13 flight), where airship service terminated, subsequently at Paris (Sep 17) to join with Imperial Airways service (flight IE480), Sydney arrival (Sep 30), small cover faults, only one other recorded commercial Zeppelin cover Brazil-Australia.

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$2,000

1937 (May & Oct) covers to New Zealand comprising [1] (May 8) Air France cover Rio de Janeiro to Christchurch endorsed ‘Via London/& Australia’, franked aggregate 12,400r for Air France combined airmail rate 6,200r per 5gms x2, subsequently joining at Southampton the Imperial Airways service (flight IE 548) to Sydney, backstamped Paris, Sydney, and [2] (Oct 9) Harry Blossfeld (São Paulo) cover to Nelson franked 6,200r for Air France single combined airmail rate, joined Imperial Airways service (flight IE 548), Paris, Sydney backstamps, scarce early airmail to this destination.

1937-38 R. Clerle (São Paulo) covers to Henry B Smith Melbourne, comprising [1] 1937 (Jun 26) franked 6,200r for Air France/Imperial Airways services, [2] 1937 (Aug 13) Meter franking 5,600r registered cover with two applications of framed handstamp ‘Surtaxe acquittée/pour VOIE AÉRIENNE/JUSQU’EN FRANCE’, and [3] 1938 (Mar 24) 7,200r franking endorsed ‘Via Panair’, odd small fault.

$300

1938 (Jan & Jul) Usina Brasil (Pará) covers to Sydney with very high frankings of 27,000r and 33,700r (registered), sent by Air France where at Marseilles they would have joined the Imperial Airways service, the first flight IE 622, second a very early Empire Air Mail Scheme period item (flight SE 2), which would have journeyed by Flying boat all the way, backstamped Paris and Sydney, and Sydney only, little roughly handled, rare duo.

$600

$300

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811 812

813 814

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*

Chile

815

816

*

*

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1938 (Mar & Jul) jusqu’a covers to Australia comprising [1] (Mar 10) Carlos Silveira São Paulo cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter franked 5,400r with framed handstamp ‘Surtaxe acquittée/pour VOIE AÉRIENNE/ JUSQU’EN FRANCE’, and [2] Fernando Montenegro (Rio de Janeiro) registered cover to Epping NSW franked 2,500r for PanAm airmail to New York only, backstamped Sydney, Epping, minor blemish.

1938 (May 5) registered cover Rio de Janeiro to Brisbane franked aggregate 12,100r, including very scarce on cover 1937 10,000r Tourist Propaganda, representing combined airmail rate 5,400r per 5gms x2 plus 1,300r registration, carried by Air France to Europe, thence Imperial Airways service (flight IE 654), backstamped Darwin, Brisbane.

1939 (Jun & Sep) covers (one censored) to New Zealand comprising [1] (Jun 2) Harry Blossfeld (São Paulo) cover to Nelson franked 7,200r, no indication of routing although this rate is consistent with PanAm, and [2] Pan American Airways System cover Rio de Janeiro to Dunedin franked 5,400, the Air France combined airmail rate per 5gms, censored on arrival, small blemishes.

1941-45 selection, three censored, earliest at 5,800r with ‘VIA AIR MAIL UNTIL – U.S.A.’ handstamp, Melbourne Censor tape/handstamp, 1943 with ‘VIA-AFRICA’ handstamp, USA and Portuguese Censor tapes and multiple applications of handstamps, cover with USA/Portuguese tapes and Melbourne Censor tape (over that for USA) which appears to have been re-opened by Censor and plain tape affixed and tied by his handstamp, and immediate postwar covers (2, one registered), odd fault, interesting group, scarce era. (5)

1933-37 trio of covers inscribed for airmail Santiago to Consulado de Chile Melbourne, bearing franking of various Official Stamps overprints, for UPU letter rate only, earliest 1933 (May-Jun) franked 70c, latest 1p80 (increased UPU rate from Nov 1 1935) with framed handstamp ‘POSTES DU CHILI/correspondence officielle en franchise/de surtaxe aérienne./VOIE ‘AIR FRANCE’/No pas taxer a l’ arrives.’, airmail service terminated France, opening fault in one 70c cover, otherwise fine, rare.

1935 (Dec 25) use of ‘VIA CONDOR’ postcard Santiago to Nelson New Zealand franked 2p70 representing UPU postcard 1p10 plus airmail surcharge 1p60 (to Germany), carried by DLH (flight 126) to Stuttgart (arrival Dec 29), Sydney backstamp. Rare pre-war airmail postcard.

$200 $400

$250

$450

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

817

*

1940-45 selection, two censored, rates of 16p10, 14p40, 1p80 (jusqu’a Panama? – opening fault), and immediate postwar 9p30, elusive era this origin/destination. (4)

$250

1934 (Dec 9) cover Bogota to Brisbane endorsed ‘POR AVION/MANCOMUN’, franked 38c for UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 23c (to USA only), framed handstamp ‘POR AVION/CORREO AEREO/MANCOMUN’, backstamped Barranquilla, tiny blemish, rare early jusqu’a item this origin/destination.

$250

Colombia (see also Lot no. 43)

818

819 820

821 822

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*

*

*

*

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1936 (Mar 3) cover El Chocó to Sydney endorsed ‘POR AVIÓN HASTA/SAN FRANCISCO’, franked 42c (UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 27c to USA), framed ‘CORREO AEREO/MAN—COMUN/AIR MAIL’ handstamp, Barranquilla transit.

1939 (Aug 30) cover Bogota to Sydney endorsed ‘Avion/hasta/Baranquilla’ bearing aggregate franking 30c (plus ½c Obligatory tax), framed ‘Transportada por via aerea/unicamente hasta Barranquilla/Tranportée par la voie aérienne/seulement jusqu’à Barranquilla.’ handstamp, roughly opened, rare Colombian internal airmail system item to this destination.

1941 (Mar 24) Henry Pardo (Medellin) cover to Perth bearing aggregate franking 1p75 (plus ½c Obligatory tax), representing UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 1p60 per 10gms for PanAm Trans-Pacific service, framed ‘2 PAR AVION/CORREO AEREO/TRANSOCEANICO’ handstamp.

1942-45 trio of censored covers, two dual censored, comprising [1] 1942 (Jul 30) Bogota-Melbourne and redirected endorsed ‘Air Mail to San Francisco/U.S.A.’, franked 45c (plus ½c), Melbourne Censor tape affixed over that for USA, handling faults, [2] 1944 (Apr 22) Tia cover Bogota-Sydney franked 2p15 (plus ½c) for UPU plus airmail surcharge 2p per 10gms for PanAm service, Sydney/USA Censor tapes, endorsed ‘Letter written in Czeck’, and [3] 1945 (Mar 27) Irvin Strauss cover Bogota-Sydney franked 4p15 (plus ½c) for PanAm Trans-Pacific double rate, associated handstamps, scarce lot. (3)

$250 $300

$200

$500

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

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Dominican Republic

823 824

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*

1932 (Apr 18) J.R. Bournigal (Puerto Plata) cover to Sydney franked 22c for airmail to USA only, backstamped Santo Domingo, bit stained, flap fault, however not unattractive, very early for this particularly exotic origin/destination.

1939 (Dec 16) Enrique Pimentel Buñols (Santo Domingo) censored cover (flapless) to Henry B Smith Melbourne, franked 17c for airmail to USA only, Melbourne unnumbered Censor tape and handstamp applied upon arrival, the only censored cover this origin/destination recorded by vendor.

Ecuador

825 826

*

*

*

$200

1933 (Aug 26) Max Müller & Cia (Guayaquil) cover to Sydney franked aggregate 3s90, handstamped ‘CORREO AEREO/PANAGRA’ for airmail to San Francisco, thence sea, small cover faults, attractive, extremely rare early airmail item for this origin/destination.

1945 (Feb 11) censored cover Quito to NSW and redirected, aggregate franking 1s55, USA and Sydney Censor tapes, some handling faults, the only censored cover this origin/destination recorded by vendor.

$200

1937 (Jul 7) Pan American Airways System Asuncion registered cover to Sydney, aggregate franking 136p, carried PanAm to Buenos Aires, then across Atlantic to Europe to connect with Imperial Airways service (flight IE 566), backstamped Darwin, TPO 2 South NSW, Sydney, a trifle stained, most attractive for exhibit, the only recorded pre-war airmail cover this origin/destination.

$600

Paraguay

827

$200

$300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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Peru (see also Lot no. 61)

828

*

829

*

830

*

831

832

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*

1936 (Apr & Jul) registered covers from same correspondence Lima to Nelson New Zealand, comprising [1] (Apr 14) with handstamped ‘Via FAUCETT/y AIR – FRANCE’, franked 1s85 for Air France UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 1s50 per 5gms (to France) plus 20c registration, airmail service terminated France, backstamped Lima, and [2] (Jul 13) with handstamped ‘VIA EE. UU.’ and ‘P.H.’ and franked 1s70 for airmail to USA only, backstamped Lima, ‘USA Postal Agency-BARRANQUILLA, COL. S.A./JUL191936/U.H. PARRISH’ handstamp in red, San Pedro, Los Angeles, attractive and very scarce early airmail to this destination.

1940 (Jun 19) censored cover Huancayo to Christchurch New Zealand endorsed ‘Por Avion hasta Los Angeles’ and franked aggregate 95c for airmail to USA only, censored upon arrival in New Zealand.

1940-43 censored selection to Australia, three registered, comprising [1] 1940 (Dec 11) registered LimaSydney where redirected with handstamped ‘SERVICIO AEREO TRANS – PACIFICO’, franked 3s05 for PanAm service, Sydney Censor, [2] 1942 (Oct 14) Lima-Sydney franked 2s45, USA/Sydney Censor tapes, [3] 1943 (Jan 20) registered Lima-Sydney franked 4s30 for Pan-Am airmail service to Honolulu, thence sea, USA Censor tape, Brisbane handstamp, and [4] 1943 (Nov 24) registered Talara-Melbourne with handstamped ‘SERVICIO AEREO NOR – ATLANTICO’, franked 4s30 for same service as 3, USA Censor tape, excellent group for exhibit.

1943-44 censored registered duo from same correspondence Talara to Brisbane franked 4s and 4s30, former for PanAm service to Hawaii, latter with handstamped ‘SERVICIO AEREO NOR – ATLANTICO’, USA Censor tapes, last with Brisbane handstamp.

1944-45 Lima registered selection, two censored, comprising [1] 1944 (Jan 6) to Brisbane franked 4s30 with the handstamped in violet ‘SERVICIO AEREO NOR – ATLANTICO’, PanAm service to Hawaii, censored USA and Brisbane, [2] 1944 (Nov 11) to Sydney franked 40c only, insufficient for air, but given due consideration apparently at New York where there are three dates (!) for registration datestamp, censored USA/Sydney, and [3] 1945 (Sep 14) 8s20 rate with the handstamped ‘SERVICIO AEREO NOR – ATLANTICO’, now in bluegreen, fine lot. (3)

$400 $200

$1,000 $400

$600

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

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Uruguay

833 834

835

*

*

*

1939 (Jan 25) cover Montevideo to Melbourne where redirected franked 1p02 for DLH service to Frankfurt where backstamped, together with Melbourne arrivals front and reverse, scarce ‘PASSED 1/ 7MR39/H.M.CUSTOMS MELB’ datestamp on front.

1940 (Apr 27) Carnelli & Cia (Montevideo) to Auckland endorsed for airmail via ‘Panagra’, franked aggregate 1p36 for PanAm service to Hong Kong, triangular ‘PASSED/17/CENSOR/HONG KONG’, backstamped Montevideo, Hong Kong, small opening fault.

$200

1941-43 censored covers from same correspondence Montevideo to Mosman, first endorsed ‘Via U.S.A.’ and franked 2p82, Sydney Censor tape/handstamp, second 1p20, dual censored USA/Sydney, both backstamped Montevideo. (2)

$250

1934 (Jan 18) registered cover Caracas to Sydney endorsed ‘POR AVIÓN HASTA/SAN FRANCISCO’ and franked 2b45 for airmail to USA only, backstamped Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sydney.

$300

Venezuela

836

*

837

*

838

*

1934-36 covers from Maracaibo featuring frankings of 1932 Air security pattern series, comprising [1] 1934 (Jun 27) to Perth franked 2b, P.A.A. Correo Aereo etiquette informs PanAm service to USA only, adhesive tape fragments, and [2] 1936 (Nov 10) to Port Pirie S.A. franked 1b95 solo, endorsed ‘Air Mail to San Francisco Cal. USA/Thence by 1st boat mail’, minor blemishes, scarce early airmail duo.

1940 (Dec 12) censored cover from Maracaibo to Prisoner-of-War, Melbourne, endorsed ‘Par avion/ Transpacifico’, stamp aggressively removed apparently by Censor, cancellation date reinserted by hand, handstamped ‘C/o Commandant/Internment Camp/Hay N. S. W.’ on front (two strikes), redirected to ‘Tatuara/no.2’ (sic) then to Tatura No 4 (Victoria), Sydney Censor tape and handstamp, extraordinary origin for POW in Australia.

$250

$300

$500

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

839

*

1941-43 censored duo comprising [1] 1941 (May 19) Caracas-Melbourne endorsed ‘Servicio TransAtlantico’ franked 1b20, Melbourne Censor tape/handstamp, and [2] 1943 (Sep 16) Varacaibo-Orange NSW with typewritten ‘Via San Francisco’ franked 1b20, USA/Sydney Censor tapes (latter incomplete) with handstamps including unusual bold ‘15’, which ties Sydney tape, blemishes. (2)

British Pacific British Solomon Islands

840

PACIFIC ISLANDS

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$400

1938 (Sep 12) Burns Philp Line cover Gizo to Sydney franked KGV 6d solo, representing Empire Air Mail Scheme All-up 1½d per ½oz, introduced Sep 5 1938, plus the 4½d per ½oz surcharge for participation in the New Guinea-Australia airmail service. A rare rate.

$500

1940 (Aug 18) cover Nukualofa to Geelong Victoria endorsed ‘By Air Mail/Trans-Tasman/& in Australia’ franked aggregate 9d, representing 2d surface Nukualofa-Auckland, airmail Auckland-Sydney 5d, airmail Sydney-Melbourne 2d, small flap tear, very scarce.

$400

842 PS 1943 (Mar 2) use Stationery 3d Registered Letter uprated 1/6d Nukualofa to Horsham Victoria where redirected, rate for airmail via Fiji 1/6d per ½oz plus 3d registration, octagonal ‘(Crown)/PASSED/(initialled ‘JM 19/3/43’)/W.W. / 2’ handstamp in red, Melbourne Censor tape/handstamp, backstamped Suva, Sydney, Melbourne, Horsham, Kaniva, small faults.

843 * 1945 (May 7) cover Nukualofa to Melbourne franked 9d for ½oz airmail rate via New Zealand.

$500 $250

*

Tonga

841

*

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

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French Pacific New Caledonia

844

845 846

*

*

*

1940-41 selection of censored covers Noumea to Australia at various rates, one registered, good variety of frankings to 10f, carried by PanAm Trans-Pacific Clipper service, FAM19 to Auckland, flights 2, 7, 17, 24 (2, one to New Zealand), 30, 31, 32 and 33, Censor tapes and/or handstamps of New Caledonia (6), New Zealand, and Sydney (2), odd fault, generally fine, useful group. (9)

1943-45 censored selection Noumea to Sydney (3) or Wellington New Zealand, varying New Caledonia Censor tapes and/or handstamps, one additionally censored at Sydney, good range stamp issues to 10f, generally fine, scarce lot. (4) 1945 (May 26) censored registered cover (250x155mm) Noumea-Sydney franked aggregate 25f, including 20f, representing UPU 4f plus airmail surcharge 8f50 per 5gms x2 plus 4f registration, censored New Caledonia and Sydney, backstamped Sydney.

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$1,000

$500 $200

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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INCIDENTS AND INTERRUPTIONS INCLUDING MAIL FROM AND WITHIN AUSTRALIA Arranged in incident date order

1911-1929

847

848

849

*

*

*

1911 (Sep 11) First UK Aerial Post Grey-green postcard to Melbourne, franked for 1d Empire rate, third day of the so-called Coronation flights, when a Farman-type piloted by C. Hubert crashed because of engine failure upon take off, plane completely destroyed and pilot broke both legs. The eight mailbags were recovered in good condition and placed aboard another plane. First powered flight incident involving mail to Australia, two postcards recorded to that destination.

1911 (Sep 11) First UK Aerial Post Red-brown postcard (small faults) to Wellington New Zealand, franked for internal ½d rate only and taxed, third day of the so-called Coronation flights, when a Farman-type piloted

by C. Hubert crashed because of engine failure upon take off, plane completely destroyed and pilot broke both legs. The eight mailbags were recovered in good condition and placed aboard another plane. First powered flight incident involving mail to New Zealand, believed to be the only recorded postcard to that destination.

1929 (Oct 24) cover London to Cohuna Victoria franked 4½d for 1½d Empire rate plus airmail surcharge 3d per oz to Iraq, boarded Oct 26 on Imperial Airways flight IE31, which was to experience dual aircraft incidents in Egypt: (i) City of Alexandria upon landing Oct 30 for refueling at Mersa Mutruh experienced a wingtip striking a buoy, the aircraft was damaged, passengers and mail were transferred to (ii) City of Athens which, due to lack of wind on take-off had difficulty lifting, and ran in to a reef, ripping the hull. Pilot and passengers escaped unhurt, mail was subsequently loaded aboard City of Baghdad, which resumed the flight Nov 2 arriving Basra the following day, thence surface to Australia. Paper remnants reverse which may be removed with care, the only recorded item to Australia from this dual incident. Sanford #291026.

$1,500

$1,000

$4,000

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1930

850

*

1930 (Oct 8) cover North Brighton Australia to Hove UK franked 11d for Empire rate 2d plus Australian internal airmail surcharge 3d per ½oz plus Imperial Airways Karachi airmail service 6d per ½oz, arriving Karachi in time to board flight IW81, the City of Washington leg of which crashed at Neufchatel France Oct 30, while attempting a landing after developing engine trouble. Part of the mail was recovered, this with signs of related trauma attended to by affixing multiple GB ‘Found open or damaged/and officially secured’ labels, mail having reached London by Oct 31. The only recorded cover from Australia recovered from this major incident.

$2,000

1931-40 collection of UK originating Imperial Airways/BOAC/QANTAS service interrupted/delayed mail incidents/events, largely ranging between flights IE300 (includes 106 and 140) and NE31, sixty-five various different flights represented, all experiencing delays detailed in Proud’s ‘Intercontinental Airmails Vol II’, more noteworthy including tri-incident IE303 (see Lot 868), 309 (forced-landing Surabaya due to broken exhaust pipe), 387 (right wing and nose damaged at Rangoon landing), 415 (forced-landing Fellujah due storms), 437 (burst tyre upon landing Surabaya), 482 (Athena fire), balance with engine problems (13), other mechanical problems/damage (10), unserviceable aerodrome/unavailable aircraft (3), rest largely miscellaneous causes (predominantly weather phenomenon), etc, some attractive and higher denomination frankings, including Seahorses 2/6d (10) and 5/-, capable of facilitating a notable three/four-frame exhibit of the subject, with scope for further expansion, some faults, generally pleasing/exhibitable quality. Many years in the making. (65)

$6,000

1931

851

*

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

852

853

854

855

*

*

*

*

1931 (Feb 26) cover (small opening fault) London to Toowoomba Queensland franked 6½d for Imperial Airways Feb 7 introduced new timetable for services to India [rate of 6½d for 1½d Empire letter plus airmail surcharge 5d per ½oz to Karachi], loaded Feb 28 to flight IE101, the service to Delhi, which Proud in Intercontinental Airmails Vol II records as having force-landed at Lympne (UK) the following day; no explanation for the incident is provided. The only recorded item to Australia.

1931 (Apr 2) cover London to Melbourne bearing perfin ‘NZL.’ (New Zealand Loan) aggregate 1/4d franking, inclusive rate for this flight, the first Imperial Airways experimental extension from Karachi to Australia, flight IE106 (departed Apr 4), the City of Cairo leg of which, shortly after leaving Batavia Apr 19, encountered extremely strong headwinds, creating an acute fuel shortage which, combined with an oil leak rendered landing an imperative. Near Koepang, on Timor Island, the pilots put the aircraft down on what turned out to be boulder-strewn ground, aircraft was a write-off, smashed by the rocks. No one was injured and the mail was undamaged. Attractive commercial participant in this event. Sanford #310419. [Australian National Airways was chartered by Imperial to take delivery of the mail, Charles Kingsford Smith and G.U. Allan arriving to deliver the mail to Darwin, thence by QANTAS for the balance of the journey.]

1931 (May 18) cover Blackpool to Melbourne via Karachi bearing aggregate franking 2/8d including uncommon on cover Bradbury, Wilkinson 2/6d, loaded May 23 to Imperial Airways flight IE113 during which Scipio on May 26 suffering slight damage to one wingfloat at Heraclion (Crete), flight continued to Mirabella Bay where, when landing, the float was totally destroyed. City of Alexandria was dispatched from Egypt to take delivery of African and Indian mails, resuming the journey the following day. Very few examples recorded to Australia. Sanford #310524.

1931 (May 22) cover Yarlet to South Melbourne carried on same Imperial Airways service (flight IE113) as preceding lot, franked 11d for combined airmail rate to India (6d 1st ½oz, 5d additional ½oz).

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$1,000

$500

$800 $600

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856

*

1934

857

858

*

*

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1931 (Jun 16) cover Danzig to Melbourne endorsed for Imperial Airways service via Karachi-Delhi, loaded to flight IE117, the City of Alexandria leg of which force-landed Jun 22 at Crete, service resuming following day, arriving Karachi Jun 26, Delhi the following day, thence surface to Australia, backstamped Danzig, Berlin. The only recorded item Danzig to Australia from this incident.

$1,500

1934 (Mar 29) Imperial Chemical Industries (Birmingham) cover to Melbourne bearing perfin ‘K’ aggregate franking 11½d, carried Imperial Airways service to Singapore flight IE262, Horsa leg landing at Kuwait Apr 5 with engine trouble, mail load taken over by Helena Apr 6, service continued the following day. The only example recorded to Australia.

$500

1934 (Apr 24) Johann Biester & Sohn (Bielsko) Poland cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked aggregate 2z60 [UPU 50g plus airmail surcharge 1z05 per 5gms x2], carried Imperial Airways to Singapore flight IE266, during which on May 5 Aurora suffered damage from an exploding air bottle when about to depart from Calcutta for Singapore. Lloyd’s Weekly Casualty Reports (May 11 1934) record the explosion practically blew away the whole of the bottom of the aircraft. Astraea came from Singapore, taking over the mail load, resuming the service May 7, terminating air service at Singapore the following day, thence surface to Australia. Highly important item for Polish and Australian Aerophilatelists. Sanford #340505. (Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways & Predecessor Airlines) states: ‘No mail is known’.

$3,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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860

861

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1934 (Nov 22) cover Filton to Perth endorsed ‘By Air to Karachi/& in Australia’ franked 9d solo [6d combined airmail per ½oz to Karachi plus Australian internal airmail service 3d per ½oz – rare rate], loaded Nov 24 to Imperial Airways flight IE296, Hanno leg experiencing engine trouble Nov 28 at Rutbah (Iraq), returning to Cairo, where mail load was transferred to Hannibal and the service recommenced the same day. Two items recorded to Australia from this incident.

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$600

1934 (Dec 5-8) selection of postcards Great Britain to Australia at 6d airmail postcard rate, varying franking compositions including 1½d Booklet stamps x4, 6d shades x2, Stationery 1d Postal card uprated 5d, etc, carried by Imperial Airways first service (flight IE298) to be extended Singapore-Australia, an eventful service which (i) (Dec 13) saw Aurora damage its undercarriage at Calcutta, and (ii) (Dec 19) Diana damaged its tailskid, necessitating transfer of part of load to Hippomenes, attractive group, (5). AAMC #469.

1934 (Dec 5) Eskilstuna Metall- Och (Eskilstuna) Sweden to Sydney endorsed ‘First Australian air mail from Sweden/recd Sydney 22/12/34’ carried on Imperial Airways flight IE298 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/Bahnpost (Dec 6), Sydney (Dec 21), minor blemishes, a rare intermediate in this event.

$500

1934 (Dec 6 & 7) Hamburg-Amerika Linie cover (small fault reverse) to Melbourne and postcard from Hamburg to Mathoura NSW, former with Meter denominated 65pf uprated reverse with 60pf aggregate stamps, latter rated 65pf [very scarce pre-war airmail postcard rate UPU 15pf postcard plus airmail surcharge 50pf], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE298 detailed in two preceding lots, backstamped Melbourne (Dec 22) and Sydney (Dec 21), respectively, very scarce intermediates. (2) 1934 (Dec 13 & 15) covers Netherlands East Indies to Sydney, comprising (i) from Makasser at 90c and (ii) Batavia at 60c, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE298 detailed in three preceding lots, backstamped Sydney (Dec 21), scarce commercial intermediates, AAMC #469p. (2)

$500

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1934 (Dec 17) Sun Newspapers (Sydney) cover (225x190mm – flap fault) franked aggregate 8/-, including Kangaroo 5/-, framed ‘EXPRESS FEE PAID 6d’ handstamp [combined airmail rate 1/6d per ½oz x5 plus 6d Special delivery fee], boarded to Imperial Airways service flight IW299, Helena experiencing an unscheduled landing at Rutbah Iraq with engine trouble Dec 28-29, London arrival (Jan 1 1935).

1934 (Dec 21) cover Sheffield to Linton Victoria at 1/3d ½oz rate (introduced Nov 30 1934) loaded Dec 22 to Imperial Airways service flight IE300, Hadrian experiencing Dec 26 a burst tyre when landing at Baghdad, delaying the service for one day.

1934 (Dec 14) Sveriges Allmänna Exportförening (Stockholm) Sweden cover to Sydney franked aggregate 1kr95 (endorsed ‘10gr’), which joined Imperial Airways service flight IE300 detailed in preceding lot, confirmed by German oval ‘BERLIN SASSNITZ (HAFEN)/BAHNPOST/Zug 14- 15.12.34’ and Sydney arrival (Jan 5 1935).

1934 (Dec 22) W.B. More & Kruger (Montreux) Switzerland cover to Melbourne endorsed ‘London Karachi – Singapore – Darwin’ franked aggregate 1f90 [UPU 30c plus airmail surcharge 80c per 5gms x2], which joined Imperial Airways service flight IE300 detailed in two preceding lots, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Jan 5 1935).

Auction House of The Year 2012 Phoenix Auctions has been voted ‘Auction House of The Year’ by the Members of the Australasian Philatelic Traders’ Association.

Phoenix Auctions - Quality and Service Reborn

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1934 (Dec 31) cover London to Cootamundra NSW at 1/3d ½oz rate carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE303 which throughout its duration experienced three incidents, two significant, comprising (i) Sylvanus after leaving Athens Jan 9 1935 force-landed at Mirabella with engine trouble, (ii) the Arethusa leg was delayed at Jodhpur Jan 12 January, also due to engine trouble, and (iii) Athena, which had assumed the service at Singapore Jan 15, a day behind schedule, attempted to make up time; the pilot flew without rest throughout the evening, which was prohibited. Halfway across the Timor Sea the aircraft encountered a violent storm, with thunder and lightning. It reached the Australian coast after 4½ hours, just before dawn, and the pilot was unable to sight Darwin Airport, opting to follow the coast eastward and force-landing Jan 16 at Point Stuart, on a beach 100 kms from Darwin. After being refueled by a QANTAS DH71 (which was damaged upon take off), Athena continued on to Darwin, departing Jan 17, just one day late. Backstamped TPO 2 South NSW and Cootamundra (both Jan 19). This lot and the following six lots comprise most of the recorded examples terminating in Australia from this eventful flight.

1934 (Dec 31) unsealed cover Stockholm to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney underfranked at 95ö for 10gms and with ‘Taxe perçue’ handstamp, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE303, which experienced three incidents, detailed in preceding lot, confirmed by Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/Bahnpost (Jan 1 1935) and Sydney arrival (Jan 20). One of two covers recorded Sweden-Australia on this flight.

$500 $1,000

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870 871

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1935 (Jan 3) cover Stockholm to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney, correctly franked 110ö for 5gms, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE303, detailed in two preceding lots, confirmed by Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/ Bahnpost (Jan 4).The other of the two recorded covers Sweden-Australia.

1935 (Jan 2) cover Den Haag Netherlands to Sydney, uncommon solo franking of 50c, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE303, detailed in three preceding lots, confirmed by Sydney arrival (Jan 20). The only recorded cover Netherlands-Australia on this flight.

To avoid errors, please check your Lot Numbers and Bids carefully.

$800 $800

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1935 (Jan 5) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 33d [UPU 8d plus airmail surcharge 25d per 10gms], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE303, detailed in four preceding lots, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Jan 20). The only recorded cover Greece-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Jan 9) Ormerods (Bombay) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne at 19½a rate [Imperial letter 2½a plus airmail surcharge 8½a per ½oz x2], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE303, detailed in five preceding lots, experiencing (iii) the major event, avoiding (ii) the Jodhpur problem, as it was loaded at Calcutta (Jan 11) to join the flight, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Jan 20). The only recorded cover India-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Jan 11) cover Singapore to Perth bearing Straits Settlements 25c solo for combined airmail rate per ½oz, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE303, detailed in six preceding lots, experiencing (iii) the major event, confirmed by Perth arrival (Jan 19). The only recorded cover Malaya-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Jan 10-15) covers Sydney to London and Sydney to Galway Ireland franked 3/- double and 1/6d single ½oz airmail rates, carried by Imperial Airways service flight IW306, Athena experiencing delayed take off from Darwin Jan 17-19 owing to becoming bogged down in sodden ground, first with ‘received/28 Jan 35’ lower right, last roughly opened. (2)

1935 (Jan 17) cover (opening fault) Port Douglas Queensland to Retford GB franked for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IW308 which experienced multiple incidents, (i) Astraea delayed due to engine trouble Jan 29 at Rangoon, (ii) engine trouble again Jan 30-31 at Cawnpore India, and (iii) Helena force-landed at Cairo Feb 3 due to weather, mail by rail to Alexandria, ‘FOSTER’S EXPORT/SPECIAL/LAGER BEER’ etiquette on reverse.

1935 (Jan 25) Eyre and Spottiswoode (London) cover to Sydney bearing solo franking of 2/6d Seahorses for double ½oz rate, carried by Imperial Airways service flight IE309 in which Athena force-landed at Surabaya Feb 4 due to broken exhaust pipe, the service resuming following day, confirmed by Sydney arrival (Feb 9). Sanford (Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways & Predecessor Airlines) states: ‘No mail is known in collectors’ hands’.

$1,000

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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879 880

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1935 (Jan 25) Wray, Smith & Halford (London) cover (320x125mm) registered Charing Cross to Invercargill New Zealand bearing remarkable franking of 21/6d including rare on cover Bradbury, Wilkinson 10/- pair (small corner fault upper right), 1/3d ½oz rate x17 plus 3d registration, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding lot, confirmed by TPO 2 South NSW (Feb 8) and Sydney (Feb 9). Striking item for serious exhibit.

1935 (Jan 23) cover Escarpment Kenya to Sydney rated 1s90 [combined airmail rate per ½oz], which travelled by Imperial Airways African Northbound service (flight AN206) to join at Alexandria (Jan 29) Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding two lots, confirmed by Mosman arrival (Feb 9).

Remarkable participant in this event, the only recorded this origin/destination.

1935 (Jan 24) cover Stockholm to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney franked 110ö, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding three lots, confirmed by Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/Bahnpost (Jan 25) and Sydney arrival (Feb 9). The only recorded cover Sweden-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Jan 18) cover Lodz Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z55 [UPU 55g plus airmail surcharge 1z per 5gms], carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding four lots, confirmed

by Athens transit (Jan 22) and Melbourne arrival (Feb 9). The only recorded cover Poland-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Jan 27) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 58d [UPU 8d plus airmail surcharge 25d per 10gms x2], carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding five lots, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Feb 9). The only recorded cover Greece-Australia on this flight.

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1935 (Jan 30) Ormerods (Bombay) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 11a [2½a Imperial letter plus airmail surcharge 8½a per ½oz] carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding six lots, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Feb 9). The only recorded cover India-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Feb 2) Sea View Hotel (Singapore) cover to Sydney underfranked 20c and taxed 3d, Malayan and Australian tax markings and Australia Postage Due 3d affixed and tied by Delivery Room, GPO/Sydney datestamp (Feb 9), carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding seven lots, confirmed also

by Sydney backstamp (Feb 9). The only recorded cover Malaya-Australia on this flight.

$1,000 $1,000

1935 (Jan 31) registered cover Modjoagoeng NEI to Sydney franked aggregate 85c [UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 45c per 20gms plus 20c registration – overpaid 5c], carried by Imperial Airways flight IE309 detailed in preceding eight lots, confirmed by Darwin (Feb 6), TPO 2 South NSW (and TPO 1 – both Feb 8), and Lindfield (Feb 9) backstamps. The only recorded cover NEI-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Feb 22) cover Bradford Yorks to Melbourne franked 1/3d ½oz rate carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE317 where Hanno suffered a damaged undercarriage upon landing Feb 27 at Rutbah (Iraq), mail and passengers were transferred to Horsa, which resumed the service Mar 1, backstamped Melbourne (Mar 11).

$1,000

1935 (Feb 20) Sveriges Allmänna Exportförening (Stockholm) cover (245x200mm – a little creased) to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney, franked aggregate 5kr50 [UPU 40ö (20-40gms plus airmail surcharge 85ö per 5gms x6)], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE317 detailed in preceding lot, confirmed

by Berlin-Sassnitz/Bahnpost (Feb 21) and Sydney arrival (Mar 10).

1935 (Feb 22) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) Belgium cover to Melbourne franked 6f75 [UPU 1f75 plus airmail surcharge 5f per 10gms], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE317 detailed in preceding two lots, confirmed

by Melbourne arrival (Mar 10).

$500

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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891

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893

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1935 (Feb 21) postcard Essen to Perth franked 65pf [UPU 15pf postcard plus airmail surcharge 50pf], prewar airmail postcards rare, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE317 detailed in preceding three lots, confirmed by Perth arrival (Mar 12). Message in Esperanto.

1935 (Feb 22) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen) cover to Melbourne franked 1Rm25 [UPU 25pf plus airmail surcharge 50pf per 5gms x2], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE317 detailed in preceding four lots, confirmed by Melbourne arrival (Mar 11).

1935 (Mar 5) Carl Persson & Söner (Ystad) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 110ö, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE321 which was diverted Mar 14 via Malta and Benghazi (Libya) owing to an attempted coup in Greece, which had broken out on Mar 1, confirmed by Berlin-Sassnitz/ Bahnpost (Mar 7) and Melbourne arrival (Mar 24). This and one other item (from GB) are the only examples recorded to Australia on this flight.

1935 (Mar 26) registered cover (small flap fault) Johannesburg to Wayville South Australia franked aggregate (both sides) 3/8d [combined airmail rate 1/8d per ½oz x2 plus 4d registration], carried by Imperial Airways African Northbound service (flight AN 224) to join at Alexandria (Apr 2) Imperial Airways flight IE327, where Horsa on Apr 3 experienced damage to undercarriage at Basra, delaying the service one day, backstamped Darwin (Apr 9), Adelaide (Apr 13), Goodwood (Apr 15). Only three items recorded to Australia on this flight, one from GB, this, remarkably from an unlikely origin for the West-East route, and the lot which follows.

1935 (Mar 29) cover Hamburg to Sydney franked 75pf for single airmail rate, not backstamped, but posted with ample time to join Imperial Airways flight IE327 at Brindisi (departed Apr 1), details of relevant incident provided in preceding lot.

894 PS 1935 (Apr 24) use at London of Stationery 4½d Registered envelope uprated 2/9½d (including 2/6d Seahorses) to Melbourne, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE335 during which Athena on May 4 made an unscheduled stop at Akyab (Burma), owing to damaged oil tank, Melbourne arrival (May 10).

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1935 (Apr 23) cover Durban to Melbourne franked 3/4d for double ½oz rate, carried Imperial Airways African Northbound service (flight AN 232) to join at Alexandria (Apr 30) Imperial Airways flight IE335, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (May 10), some handling faults, extraordinary participant in this event, very few of which are recorded to Australia.

1935 (Jul 19) Lancashire to Melbourne bearing Silver Jubilee 2½d x2 and 10d, unusual franking composition for 1/3d ½oz rate, carried Imperial Airways service flight IE359 where Aurora was delayed at Bangkok Jul 28 1935 due to a faulty undercarriage, the service resuming the following day, backstamped Melbourne (Aug 3). Very few recorded to Australia.

1935 (Jul 10) registered cover Paris to Sydney franked 30f50 [UPU 1f50 plus airmail surcharge 4f50 per 5gms x6 plus 2f registration], carried Imperial Airways flight IE359, detailed in preceding lot, small faults, transits of Darwin (Jul 31) and TPO 2 South NSW (Aug 2), Sydney arrival (Aug 3).

1935 (Jul 19) registered cover Zurich to ‘Police de crimminal/Albury’ (some pinholes upper left suggest this article may have been used in evidence?) franked aggregate 4f30 [UPU 50c (20-40gms) plus airmail surcharge 70c per 5gms x5 plus 30c registration], carried Imperial Airways flight IE359, detailed in preceding two lots, transits of Brindisi (Jul 22), Darwin (Jul 31) and Cootamundra (Aug 2), Albury arrival (Aug 3). Attractive.

1935 (Aug 3) cover Paddington to Sydney franked for 1/3d ½oz rate, carried Imperial Airways flight IE363, Aurora being delayed at Allahabad (India) for three days owing to the aerodrome being unserviceable, an unusual interruption, backstamped Sydney (Aug 17), four covers to Australia recorded (all from GB).

1935 (Aug 9) cover London to Melbourne franked for 1/3d ½oz rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE365 where Brisbane was delayed at Alor Star Malaya Aug 18-19 owing to cracked fuel tank, backstamped Melbourne (Aug 23), little known and rare interruption.

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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903 904

905

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1935 (Aug 12) cover (opening faults) from Bendigo Victoria to London franked for single rate, and Stationery 1½d Postal Card uprated 9d for airmail postcard rate (which was just 9d), adhesions reverse, carried by Imperial Airways service flight IW366, where Hanno at Sharjah Aug 21 developed engine trouble, culminating in transfer of mail load to Horsa two days later. (2) 1935 (Aug 22) cover from Daly Waters NT to Leichhardt NSW, Australian Transcontinental Airways aircraft Faith in Australia experienced engine trouble at Daly Waters, and was replaced by a relief Monospar VHUTZ, which also experienced engine trouble, en route to Adelaide, backstamped Melbourne (Aug 27). (See Lot 904)

Page 199

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1935 (Aug 26-27) covers from Adelaide to London and Sydney to London, varying franking compositions for 1/6d single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IW370, the Aurora leg of which developed engine trouble Sep 2 at Akyab Burma, mail load taken over by Astraea two days later, roughly opened. (2) 1935 (Sep 2) cover Darwin NT to Nailsworth SA, flown Monospar VH-UTZ (see Lot 902) which crashed Sep 6 at Aileron (138kms north of Alice Springs). A relief plane piloted by H Boston took delivery of the mails at Alice Springs, and reached Adelaide Sep 11, signed ‘H Boston/VH-U11/D H Moth’, opening faults, absent from most Australian Aerophilately collections, and considerably undervalued at $600 as AAMC #525, and an equally important item for the NT postal historian.

$1,200

1935 (Oct 1) Official cover Shepparton Victoria to Hobart bearing Airmail 3d solo tied by ‘MOO SHEPPARTON/VIC’ datestamp, recovered from Holymans Airways Loina which crashed Oct 2 into the sea a few miles from Whitemark Flinders Island, killing five persons. Typewritten ‘This envelope containing a/ money order advice was included/in the mail which was recovered/in a saturated condition from/the airliner ‘Loina’,initialed ‘S E D’ and oval ‘SUPERINTENDENT OF MAILS/6 OCT 1935/GENERAL POST OFFICE, HOBART’ applied beneath. AAMC #535, where very conservatively valued at $400.

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

906 PS 1935 (Oct 25) uprate of 6/1½d (including 1/- block of six) at London to Stationery 4½d Registered letter (opened two sides) to Melbourne [1/3d per ½oz x5 plus 3d registration], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE387 where Astraea, when landing Nov 2 at Rangoon, skidded on a wet runway and crashed through the boundary fence, slightly damaging the starboard wing tip and cabin floor. The Captain was hurt, and mail load was transferred to Arethusa, departing two days later. Melbourne arrival (Nov 10). A significant incident of which very few are recorded to Australia.

907 * 1935 (Oct 28) Carl Persson & Söner (Ystad) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 110ö, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE387, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz (Hafen)/Bahnpost (Oct 29), Melbourne (Nov 10). The only recorded cover Sweden-Australia on this flight.

908

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1935 (Oct 25) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen) registered cover (370x140mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne, franked aggregate 21Rm40 [UPU 1Rm60 (180-200gms) plus airmail surcharge 50pf per 5gms x39 plus 30pf registration], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE387, detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Darwin (Nov 7), Melbourne (Nov 10). The only recorded cover Germany-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Oct 30) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover (opening fault) to Melbourne franked 83d [UPU 8d plus airmail surcharge 25d per 10gms x3], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE387, detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped, Melbourne (Nov 10). The only recorded cover Greece-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Oct 28) cover Alexandria Egypt to Sale Victoria franked aggregate 135m for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE387, detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Melbourne (Nov 10). The only recorded cover Egypt-Australia on this flight.

$1,000 $800

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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913 914

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1935 (Oct 30) Ormerods (Bombay) cover (corner fault) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 11a for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE387, detailed in preceding five lots, backstamped Calcutta (Nov 1) and poor but definite strike Melbourne (Nov 10). The only recorded cover India-Australia on this flight.

1935 (Oct 29) Carl Persson & Sรถner (Ystad) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 110รถ, carried during extreme disruptions due to weather conditions in Mediterranean on Imperial Airways flight IE388, loading confirmed by Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/Bahnpost (Oct 30), Melbourne arrival (Nov 16).

[Imperial Airways flights IE388-89 were disrupted as result of very bad weather in Mediterranean late October-early November 1935. Mail loads for both flights IE388 and 389 went by S.S. Calitea Brindisi to Athens, Satyrus, Scipio and Sylvanus then flew the mails Athens-Alexandria, departing Nov 7. IE388 terminated at Bangkok Nov 11, and combined mails with IE389 went on to Australia.]

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1935 (Nov 1-2) covers Tubin Gen (blemishes reverse) and Salach Germany to Henry B Smith Melbourne, franked 2Rm25 and 75pf, quadruple and single rates respectively, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE389, refer detailed description preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (Nov 16). (2) 1935 (Nov 11) Carl Persson & Sรถner (Ystad) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 110รถ, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE393 where Arethusa was delayed from Nov 24 for three days at Hua Hin (Siam) due to the airfield being waterlogged; the mail load was railed to Bangkok and transferred to Sydney on 27 November, arriving Darwin three days later, backstamped BerlinSassnitz/Bahnpost (Nov 16), Melbourne arrival (Dec 3).

$400

1935 (Nov 11-16) covers Salach and Bremen Germany to Henry B Smith Melbourne at 75pf (Meter) and 1Rm25 single and double rates, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (Dec 3). (2)

$600

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1935 (Nov 15) Gottfried RĂźppel (Bremen) registered cover (370x140mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked aggregate 21Rm [UPU 1Rm60 (180-200gms) plus airmail surcharge 50pf per 5gms x38 plus 30pf registration] carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Brindisi (Nov 18), Darwin (Nov 30), Melbourne (Dec 3).

1935 (Nov 19) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover to Melbourne franked 33d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Melbourne (Dec 3).

1935 (Nov 15) cover Belgrade to Henry B Smith Melbourne bearing attractive franking of 1934 Air series aggregate franking 27d50 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Zemun (Nov 16) and Athens (Nov 16).

1935 (Nov 18) cover Alexandria to Sale Victoria franked aggregate 135m for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Melbourne (Dec 3).

1935 (Nov 20) cover Bombay tp Sydney bearing aggregate franking 11a for single rate, including scarce on cover Silver Jubilee 3½a x3, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding five lots, backstamped Haymarket (Dec 3).

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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923

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1936

924

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1935 1935 (Nov 12) cover Colombo Ceylon to Cairns Queensland scarce franking Silver Jubilee 9c and 20c x2, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE393, detailed in preceding six lots, backstamped Cloncurry (Dec 2), stained, although a rare participant in this incident.

1935 (Dec 23) Apotheke “Zum römischen Kaiser” (Vienna) cover to Sydney attractively franked 4s60 [UPU 60g plus airmails surcharge 1s per 5gms x4], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE405 where City of Khartoum on Dec 31, two kilometers from Alexandria harbor, experienced total engines failure for lack of fuel. It plunged in to the sea, killing the nine passengers and three crew members. The mail was recovered the following week; Sydney GPO issued an advice to accompanying articles from the incident (included).

Covers from this disaster other than from GB are rare.

$1,000

1935 (Dec 23) cover Vienna to Sydney franked 3s20, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE405, detailed in preceding lot, with Sydney GPO advice.

$800

1936 (Jan 31) cover Bradford Rd Yorks to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked for 1/3d ½oz rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415 where Helena force-landed Feb 7 at Felujah (Iraq) due to storms, the service resuming the following day, backstamped Melbourne (Feb 17).

$300

1936 (Feb 1) cover Paris to Sydney franked 7f, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Paris, Sydney (Feb 17), Lindfield (Feb 17).

1936 (Jan 31) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Melbourne franked 8f25 [UPU 1f75 plus airmail surcharge 6f50 per 5gms], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (Feb 17).

$250

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1936 (Jan 30) Carl Persson & Söner (Ystad) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 110ö, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped BerlinSassnitz/Bahnpost (Jan 31), Melbourne (Feb 17).

1936 (Jan 31) Herrmann Gottschalk (Hamburg) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1Rm25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Melbourne (Feb 17).

1936 (Jan 31) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen) registered cover (370x140mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked aggregate 37Rm80 [UPU 2Rm80 (340-360gms) plus airmail surcharge 50pf per 5gms x71 plus 30pf registration – underpaid 80pf], remarkably little stamp damage for a 355gms article, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE415, detailed in preceding five lots, backstamped Brindisi (Feb 3), Darwin (Feb 14), Melbourne (Feb 17), two-line German instructional marking on reverse.

1936 (Feb 2) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 83d [UPU 8d plus airmail surcharge 25d per 10gms x3], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding six lots, backstamped Melbourne (Feb 17).

1936 (Jan 15) registered cover New Bedford Mass. to Carapook Victoria endorsed ‘Via England’ and ‘Eng to India’, franked 64c, received in UK in time to be loaded to Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding seven lots, transits of New York (Jan 16), Melbourne (Feb 17), Carapook arrival (Feb 19), highly unusual participant in this incident.

$300 $300

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

932

933

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1936 (Jan 15) Hand, Arnold Ltd (Kingston) Jamaica cover to Christchurch New Zealand franked 3d pair, another stamp, a 3/- to complete 3/6d combined airmail rate per ½oz, has not survived journey, received in UK in time to be loaded to Imperial Airways service flight IE415, detailed in preceding eight lots, confirmed

by Sydney arrival (Feb 17), another highly unusual participant in this incident, particularly rare with New Zealand as destination.

1936 (Mar 5) J. Browett Lindley (Letchworth) Herts cover to Sydney bearing scarce solo franking of 5/Seahorses (creased prior to affixing), paying quadruple 1/3d ½oz rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE425 which experienced two delays: (i) Mar 13 Arethusa was delayed at Alexandria owing to errant passengers, an unusual circumstance, and (ii) Arethusa on same day at Jodhpur was delayed two days owing to engine problems, backstamped Sydney (Mar 22).

$400

1936 (Mar 10) cover (355x125mm – small handling faults) from Sydney to London bearing Kangaroo 10/and 5/- [combined airmail rate 1/6d per ½oz x20], which left Sydney on Imperial Airways service flight IW426 Sydney, but as mails were late arriving at Singapore, Athena did not wait and left Mar 15, the Australian mail thereafter transferring to IW427 (departing Mar 18), the mail-carrying City of Swanage force-landing in the sea Mar 24 with engine trouble en route to Athens. Unusual and rare convergence of scarce franking and major incident.

$2,500

1936 (Mar-Sep) delayed covers to UK franked for single rate on Imperial Airways service flights, comprising [1] (Mar 24) flapless cover Melbourne-London carried on IW430 where Hadrian was delayed Apr 1-3 at Sharjah with engine trouble; and [2] (Sep 22) Brisbane to Glasgow carried on IW482 in which City of Stonehaven force-landed Oct 3 at Rhodes, departing following day ex-Athens. (2)

$300

$500

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1936 (Apr 18) cover Paris to Sydney franked 6f for single rate, carried Sabena OO-AIF postal plane which, on the Apr 21 night flight between Paris, Brussels and Koln, crashed and burned 40 kilometres from Le Bourget, near Senlis. The pilot and radio operator were killed in the incident, 48kgs of mail was on board.

The mail which could be salvaged received repair attention and the handstruck ‘AVION ACCIDENTE’, this also with manuscript notation (upper left on reverse), and Senlis Oise datestamp (Apr 22). One of the great ‘crash’ covers to Australia, unique to that destination, worthy of inclusion in the finest of Aerophilately collections.

$4,000

1936 (Apr 3-17) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen), two registered covers (370x140mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne, aggregate frankings of 43Rm40 (400gms) and 33Rm80 (310gms - stamps on reverse ‘killed’ on arrival), the first loaded to Imperial Airways service flight IE432, apparently in error for that terminated at Singapore (Apr 9 arrival backstamp), after a delay of a day at Rangoon with engine problems, for unknown reason held at Singapore until loaded to flight IE437, joining the second cover, experiencing a delay at Surabaya NEI owing to Canberra bursting a tyre on landing, both covers backstamped Melbourne (May 2) confirming joint arrival, some stamp damage, 3Rm x2 missing from earlier cover, however a remarkable pair of interrupted mail articles. (2)

$1,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

938 939

940

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941

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942

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943

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1936 (Apr 17) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE437, where at Surabaya on Apr 27 Canberra burst a tyre upon landing, delaying the service by a day, backstamped Melbourne (May 2).

1936 (Apr 15) Carl Persson & Söner (Ysatd) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 100ö for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE437, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped BerlinSassnitz/Bahnpost (Apr 16), Melbourne (May 2).

Page 207

$500 $400

1936 (Apr 14) August Spitta Söhne (Brandenburg) window envelope to Sydney franked 2Rm25 for quadruple rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE437, detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Sydney (May 2).

1936 (Apr 22) Panos J. Gravaris Athens cover to Melbourne franked 58d for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE437, detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Melbourne (May 2).

$350

1936 (May 15) Fred Pattison & Co (Bradford) cover (small blemishes) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked for 1/3d ½oz single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service Flight IE445 where Aurora on May 24 developed engine trouble at Penang, necessitating mail load being transferred to Brisbane, which departed the following day, backstamped Melbourne (May 30).

1936 (May 16) cover Dresden to Sydney franked 75pf for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service Flight IE445 detailed in preceding lot.

$200

$500

$300

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944

945

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1936 (May 8) Phoenix Assurance Co (New York) cover to Sydney franked 49c for airmail via London, arriving in time for loading to Imperial Airways service Flight IE445, detailed in preceding two lots, confirmed by Sydney arrival (May 30), a little stained, unusual participant in this interrupted flight.

$250

1936 (May 10) The Willard Hotel (Washington D.C.) cover and letterhead enclosure to Melbourne, endorsed ‘VIA ZEPPELIN TO EUROPE/THENCE AIR MAIL TO AUSTRALIA’, Hindenburg requisite handstamp, and Frankfurt arrival (May 14), arriving UK in time to be loaded to Imperial Airways interrupted flight IE445 (details in preceding three lots), confirmed by Melbourne arrival (May 30). The quintessential Zeppelin cover to Australia, only three commercial Hindenburg items recorded to that destination. [Sender comments: ‘We saw the arrival of the Hindenburg the day before last, she arrived about 5 o’clock just as dawn was breaking and really Eve I have never seen a more wonderful sight, she was all light [sic] up and looked simply marvelous with the blue sky in the back ground, she flew right down Broadway right over the Mc Alpin and we had a wonderful view of her from our windows, Evan was awake from 2.30 waiting for her, he was so thrilled when she did arrive. Don is arranging to have this letter sent back by her & then mailed from Germany’] [See Lot 742.]

$6,000

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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948

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1936 (May 28) cover from GB to Sydney franked for 1/3d ½oz single rate carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE449 during which Brisbane force-landed Jun 9 at Waingapoe NEI, the service resumed Jun 10, arriving Darwin the same day, backstamped South Kensington (Jun 13).

1936 (Jun 3) Panos J. Gravaris (Athens) cover to Melbourne franked 83d for triple rate, 25d Air corner fault, key 50d fine, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE449 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 13).

1936 (Jun 3) M. Krishnasawmy Pillay & Co (Madras) cover (faults) to Sydney carried on Imperial Airways flight IE449 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Sydney (Jun 13).

1936 (Jun 6) Rowley Davies & Co (Batavia) cover to Adelaide (address partly erased) endorsed ‘per “Qantas”‘, franked 60c [UPU 15c plus airmail surcharge 45c per 20gms], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE449 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Adelaide (Jun 13).

1936 (Jul 17) W.J. Bush & Co (London) cover to office in Melbourne franked perfin ‘WJB/& Cº’ aggregate 5/- for quadruple rate, unusual and attractive multiple use of low denominations, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE463, Arethusa delayed a day at Karachi owing to crew problems, a seldom encountered cause for delay.

1936 (Jul 22) R.B. Macdonald & Co (Oakland) California cover to Adelaide endorsed ‘Via Transpacific Airmail/to Honolulu to connect/S.S. ‘Mariposa’’, franked 56c, intended for PanAm FAM14 service flight 17, the China Clipper, due to depart Jul 22 but which was delayed on three separate occasions, necessitating its replacement by Hawaii Clipper, which eventually departed Jul 29, cover has come in to contact with liquid, which may or may not be associated with journey. Unusual delayed mail item.

Page 209

$250 $400

$300 $600

$200

$400

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953

954

955

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1936 (Jul 31) Sydney Morning Herald London Office cover (small flap fault) to The Argus Melbourne bearing solo franking of 2/6d Seahorses for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE467 where Aurora was delayed at Akyab Burma Aug 8-9 due to aerodrome being waterlogged, backstamped Melbourne Aug 15.

$250

1936 (Aug 5) Verlag Scherl (Berlin) cover (290x195mm) inscribed ‘Drucksache’ and with black on red ‘Durch Gilboten’ etiquette to The Telegraph Newspaper Sydney, franked perfin ‘B.L.A.’ von Hindenburg issues aggregate (front and reverse) 9Rm60, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE467 detailed in preceding lot, TPO 2 South NSW transit (Aug 14), some inevitable stamp faults, striking appearance.

$250

1936 (Aug 10) cover from Melbourne to Hannover Germany franked for combined airmail rate 1/9d per ½oz for Imperial Airways service flight IW470, the Scipio crash Aug 22 at Mirabella, from the portion of salvaged mail from Brindisi which went by train Athens-Paris, attested by affixing of ‘Lettre endommagée de l’eau de la/mer à la suit di désastre aérien’ message label, reverse with backstamped Italian postal labels tied by Brindisi datestamp. One of the more attractive Scipio covers, to a less usual destination.

1936 (Aug) Scipio crash salvaged covers, comprising [1] (Aug 11) Sydney to Duisburg Germany with attractive franking of KGV 5d pair and SA 1/- Centenary [combined airmail rate 1/9d per ½oz plus 1d Late Fee], Brindisi backstamp ties Par Avion etiquette from another cover (!), attractive cover to less usual destination; and [2] date not evident more pedestrian stampless cover NSW-London with the ‘DAMAGED BY/SEA WATER’ handstamp. (2)

$400

$350

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1936 (Aug 20) cover London-Sydney, participant in the famed ‘Desert incident’, where Horsa on Aug 29, during Imperial Airways service flight IE473 (departed Aug 22), overshot Bahrain Aerodrome by 100kms at night, a consequence of the airfield lights not having been switched on, the pilots becoming lost and making a forced-landing in the desert, at Salwa Wells. The aircraft was found 40 hours later, and mail and passengers were flown out by RAF Mail to connect with IE474-75, the service delayed five days. Only two covers from this major incident believed recorded to Australia, the other also from GB (but see next lot).

$4,000

1936 (Aug 21) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, in time to have been loaded to Imperial Airways flight IE473, which hosted the so-called ‘Desert incident’ (see preceding lot), that flight having departed London Aug 22 (Verviers date is confirmed by Bruxelles backstamp of same day), Melbourne arrival of Sep 10 is consistent with flight IE474 arrival in Brisbane Sep 9, IE475 arrived at Brisbane on Aug 10, too late to have carried the subject item (mails received for IE473 were off-loaded by RAF following the desert debacle to join with IE474-75). Previously unrecorded participant in this major incident.

$4,000

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1936 (Sep 22) cover Sydney to Kansas USA with typewritten route details for surface beyond UK and airmail within USA, franked aggregate 2/3d, the Australia-England sector by Imperial Airways service flight IW482, where on Oct 3 City of Stonehaven force-landed at Rhodes, departing following day for Athens. Unusual destination participant in this event.

1936 (c.Sep 25) cover Birmingham to Sydney carried on ill-fated Imperial Airways Boadicea, which left Croydon around noon Sep 25, and disappeared while crossing the English Channel. Three bags of mail were found at different times, (i) on the beach at Cucq, France, about a month after the incident, (ii) at Dymchurch, Kent, on Nov 10, and (iii) brought up in the fishing nets of a trawler on Apr 27 1938 – 19 months after the crash – on the coast of France. The subject item is handstamped ‘NOV 27 1936’, suggesting it likely was amongst the Nov 10 salvage, most of the recovered mail was destined for Africa. Includes the Returned Letter Section London explanatory memo. [Only 19 Boadicea items are recorded, very few of which are to Australia. This major ‘crash’ event is missing from most Aerophilately collections, suggesting AAMC #631, Cat ‘from $450’ is far too conservative.]

$1,500

1936 (Sep 24) postcard Surrey to Sydney from Boadicea incident (see details preceding lot), with ‘ambulance’ cover (defect) and the Returned Letter Section London explanatory memo (foxed), cover backstamped Northbridge (Nov 27) indicating it was also from the Nov 10 salvage. A census taken for this event records just 17 survivors to Sydney, from which this is the only postcard.

$2,000

1936 1936 (Sep 19) cover (255x160mm) London to Sydney bearing 10/- Seahorses pair for 1/3d per ½oz x16, boarded on Imperial Airways flight IE482 Athena which caught fire Sep 29 at Delhi, while the engines were being started; it transpired that oxygen bottles rather than compressed air were used to start the engines, and the aircraft was destroyed. The mail on board largely originated in the UK, and this impressive franking may be the record survivor. Reverse with fine strike of ‘Salvaged from Air Iiner/Athena’, Regent’s Park arrival (Oct 8).

$1,250

$300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

962

1936 (Sep 22) French lettercard from GB to Sydney franked for 1/3d single rate, from Athena incident detailed in preceding lot, Sydney GPO accompanying memo (blemishes). Attractive example for exhibit.

963 PS 1936 (Sep 22) use London-Melbourne of Stationery 4½d Registered Letter uprated 5/10½d, including 2/6d Seahorses pair, Athena incident detailed in preceding two lots.

964

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965

966 967

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1936 (Sep 21) registered cover Antwerp Belgium to Hobart franked 16f50, including elusive on cover 10f, Athena incident detailed in preceding three lots, together with Indian Posts and Telegraphs Dept ‘ambulance’ cover and enclosure. Mail to Australia from destinations other than UK is rare.

1936 (Sep 23) Schachenmayr, Mann & Cie Salach Germany cover to Henry B Smith (Melbourne) with 75pf denominated Meter (wool topical) without usual indications of presence in the Athena incident (see details preceding four lots), but Melbourne arrival (Oct 7) confirms it was on board.

1936 (Sep 22) Aluminiumwerke (Rorschach) Switzerland cover to Sydney franked 3f75 [underpaid and taxed 2f25 at Chiasso], ‘Salvaged from Air Iiner/Athena’ lower right (detailed in preceding five lots), attractive and rare origin to Australia.

1936 (Sep 23) Inducap (Firenze) Italy cover to Sydney franked 6L25 for double rate, another rare origin/ destination participant in Athena incident detailed in preceding six lots.

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$800 $750

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1936 (Sep 18) cover Kenya, Uganda Tanganyika to Kelmscott W.A. franked 95c forwarded by Imperial Airways African Northbound service (flight AN 379) arriving at Alexandria in time to join flight IE482 (departed eastwards Sep 26) and become an extraordinary origin/destination participant in Athena incident (detailed in preceding seven lots), ‘DAMAGED IN TRANSIT’ handstamp lower left (another on reverse) with ‘by fire & water’ added in manuscript beneath, dislodged stamps haphazardly replaced, Perth arrival (Oct 12) and ‘ambulance’ cover (flapless). A very desirable survivor from this incident.

1936 (Sep 12) B & B Chevrolet Co (Knoxville) Tennessee cover to Melbourne endorsed ‘Via/New York/&/ London Eng’, franked 50c, arriving in UK in time to join Athena event (detailed in preceding eight lots), confirmed participant by Melbourne arrival (Oct 7), extremely rare this origin.

$1,000 $1,000

1936 (Nov 13) cover (reduced at base) from Melbourne to London franked unusual composition for 1/6d single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IW497 during which Horsa due to inclement weather could not land Nov 23-24 at Amman, subsequently force-landed Nov 24 at Gaza, mail railed to Alexandria.

Very scarce incident.

1936 (Nov 17) Fred Pattison & Co (Bradford) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked for 1/3d single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE498 during which Aurora was delayed Nov 25-26 with damaged undercarriage, backstamped Melbourne (Dec 1).

$400

1936 (Dec 21) cover Svalöv Sweden to Melbourne franked 90ö (underpaid 20ö) carried Imperial Airways flight IE509 wherein Centaurus developed a mechanical problem Dec 30 at Athens, necessitating transfer of mail load to Satyrus for onwards flight to Alexandria, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz/Bahnpost (Dec 22), Melbourne (Jan 9 1937), markings front and back associated with unclaimed article.

1936 (Dec 24) Walter Eichler (Bielsko) Poland cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 2z75 for double airmail rate, carried Imperial Airways flight IE509 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Athens (Dec 27), Melbourne (Jan 9 1937).

$400

$250

$300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1936 (Dec 24) W.A. Buhmeyer (Bremen) Germany cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1Rm25 for double rate, carried Imperial Airways flight IE509 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jan 9 1937).

$200

1937 (Mar 22) cover Peterborough Northants to Goulburn NSW franked KEVII 1½d pair (from Booklet) only, carried by Imperial Airways service flight IE534 Capricornus which, on its inaugural flight to Egypt, was caught in a violent snowstorm Mar 24 in the Rhone Valley. The pilot lost all visibility and circled whilst attempting to determine his position by radio; the aircraft wing hit a tree, and crashed into a mountain at 2,200 feet altitude. Five of the six occupants were killed. The mail was recovered the following day and sent to Macon for onward carriage by Cygnus. Confirmed by TPO 2 South NSW backstamp (Apr 5), 1/- stamp to make up 1/3d rate has not survived, possibly lost in the event. One of the rarest ‘crash’ covers to Australia, very few recorded, and another candidate for significant revision of AAMC #710a (which at Cat $600 is not reflective of the rarity of this incident, missing from most Aerophilately collections).

$1,500

1937 (March 23) cover London-Perth franked 1/3d for single rate, another Capricornus participant (detailed in preceding lot), backstamped Perth (Apr 7). Highly desirable item.

1937 (May 12) T E Butler Melbourne cover to Brisbane boarded to Airlines of Australia Dragon Rapide DH89, which burst in to flames at Mascot Airport Sydney May 12, pilot and three passengers escaped, covers damaged by fire and forwarded with Post Office explanatory letter (aged), AAMC #732a, very conservatively priced at $450. Very few survive.

1937 (May 17) cover Townsville Queensland to Sydney endorsed ‘First Flight/Townsville–Sydney/Junkers Diesel VH-UYA/Laurence Hargrave’, crashed at Coffs Harbour, backstamped Sydney (May 18), unlisted AAMC, Nierinck #370518. Rare.

1937 (May 25) cover (blemishes) Southgate to Sydney franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE552, featuring the so-called ‘near miss’ event, where Hengist, which had delivered the mail load on May 31 to Karachi, was destroyed by fire in the hangar at Drigh Road during cleaning, fortunately not before load had already been transferred to Atalanta, backstamped poor strike Willoughby (Jun 8). A little known Imperial Airways major tragedy.

$2,500 $750

$800

$250

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982

983

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1937 (May-Sep) covers Australia to GB franked for single rate, involved in Imperial Airways service interruptions, comprising (i) (May 27) Buderim Queensland to London by flight IW553, the Castor leg of which developed mechanical problems Jun 8 at Crete, requiring mail load to be transferred to Cassiopeia two days later, and (ii) (Sep 6) cover (handling faults) Sydney to Urmston GB by flight IW582 where Arethusa was damaged Sep 14 at Cawnpore India, Horsa taking over the mail load. (2) 1937 (Nov 16) Export Department (Chicago) window envelope to Melbourne franked 70c for PanAm Clipper service departing S.F. Nov 21 per China arriving Hong Kong Nov 28, some trauma experienced en route and handstruck framed ‘RECEIVED DAMAGED/AT HONG KONG’ applied, subsequently joined Imperial Airways service (flight IE605), backstamped Hong Kong (Nov 29), Melbourne (Dec 10). [The Hong Kong marking is the same applied to City of Khartoum crash mail Dec 31 1935.]

$500

1938 (Jan 5) Ravenhose Ltd (Salford) cover to Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE617 which experienced dual incidents, commencing with (i) Coolangatta forcelanding at Corfu Jan 10-11 owing to inclement weather, resuming the following day, and (ii) relieved on Jan 15 by Aurora, that aircraft was unable to land at Delhi due to fog, and force-landed 50kms northwest. The aircraft was slightly damaged; passengers and mail load were transferred to Delhi by motor vehicle, thence load to Arethusa for resumption of the service, backstamped Melbourne (Jan 22).

$600

1938 (Jan 6) Herman Grün (Todz) Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne, PO handstamp ‘Via Athènes’, bearing aggregate franking 4z [UPU 55g plus airmail surcharge 1z15 per 5gms x3] carried on Imperial Airways flight IE617 which experienced dual incidents (detailed in preceding lot), backstamped Warsaw (Jan 7), Athens (Jan 10), Melbourne (Jan 22). Exotic origin to Australia for this eventful flight, very few recorded.

$1,200

$300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

984

985

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1938 (Jan 21) Fred Pattison & Co (Bradford) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE621 where Cordelia force-landed Jan 23 at sea, 20kms from St. Nazaire (France), due to engine problems, compounded by inclement weather. It was towed to shore by launch, departing the following day, and spent two days in Rome, presumably for repairs. Backstamped Melbourne (Feb 4). Sanford (Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways & Predecessor Airlines) states: ‘No mail is known in collectors’ hands’.

1938 (Jan 21) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE621 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Bruxelles (Jan 21), Melbourne (Feb 4). Major item for Belgian/Australian Aerophilatelists, this origin/destination believed unique.

1938 (Mar 30) registered cover New York to Sydney endorsed ‘CLIPPER AIR MAIL’ franked $1.55 [combined airmail rate 70c per ½oz x2 plus 15c registration] carried by PanAm FAM14 service flight 100, which developed an oil leak en route to Honolulu and returned to San Francisco, flight resumed and arrived Hong Kong Apr 11, joining Imperial Airways Hong Kong Feeder service same day (flight HB21) to Bangkok, where in turn it was loaded to flight IE642 (arrived Brisbane Apr 18), backstamped Honolulu (Apr 3) and Sydney (Apr 18), small corner fault.

1938 (Mar 30) cover Gouda Netherlands to Sydney franked 67½c, including uncommon on cover 60c black, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE640 where Coriolanus was delayed Mar 31-Apr 2 by engine trouble at Marseilles, the mail load necessarily transferred to Cooee, which resumed the service two days late, backstamped Sydney (Apr 12).

1938 (Apr 1) cover Paris to Adelaide franked 10f75 for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE640 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Adelaide (Apr 12).

1938 (Apr 1) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE640 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (Apr 12).

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$1,000 $1,200

$200 $300

$400 $300

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991

992 993

994 995

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1938 (Apr-Jun) covers Victoria Australia to Germany at combined airmail rate 1/9d per ½oz carried by Imperial Airways service flights which experienced interruptions, comprising [1] (Apr 8) S Cooke cover from Melbourne to Leipzig carried on IW643 where Caledonia force-landed Apr 15 with engine problems at Raj Samand India, Centurion taking over the mail load same day, and (ii) (Jun 16) cover Hawthorn to Berlin by IW664 where Canopus developed mechanical problems Jun 28 at Dubai, mail load transferred to Camilla.

(2) 1938 (Apr 20) The British Overseas Bank (London) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1/1½d (underpaid 1½d for single rate but untaxed) carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE646 where Challenger was caught in a storm leaving Rome, and on Apr 21 was struck by lightning necessitating return for repairs to damage, the service departing the following day, backstamped Melbourne (May 2). Dramatic event.

1938 (Apr 21) Carl Persson & Söner (Ystad) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 180ö for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE646 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped BerlinSassnitz (Hafen)/Bahnpost (Apr 22), Melbourne (May 2).

1938 (Apr 19) cover Monaco to Lady Tempest Sydney where redirected, remarkable franking (aggregate 15f50 – UPU 1f75 plus airmail surcharge 4f50 per 5gms x3 – overpaid 25c), including Postage Due surcharged 2f50 on 2f, Prince Albert 5f green, and Pictorial 3f lilac and red/yellow x2, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE646 detailed in preceding two lots, Cannes cinderella on reverse tied by Sydney arrival (May 2) and Thomas Cook receiving datestamp of same date, little roughly opened, seldom encountered convergence of rare franking/rare incident.

1938 (Apr 18) W.A. Buhmeyer (Bremen) cover to Melbourne franked 1Rm25 for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE646 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Athens (Apr 20), Melbourne (May 2).

1938 (Apr 22) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE647 where Castor landed at Corfu Apr 24 due to unspecified aircraft problems, the mail load was transferred to Calpurnia, which left the same day.

$400

$300

$400

$1,000

$500 $300

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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998

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999

1000 1001

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1938 (Apr 23) cover (trifle stained) Wien to Melbourne, early Anschluss period, franked 1s68, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE647 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (May 5).

1938 (Apr 25) W.A. Buhmeyer (Bremen) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 75pf for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE647 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (May 5).

1938 (May 6) Fred Pattison & Co (Bradford) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE651 where Corio force-landed May 10 at Dubai owing to mechanical problem, the service resuming the following day, Melbourne arrival (May 19) on front. Rare item, additionally of interest to Dubai postal historians.

1938 (May 7) Friedr. M端ller (Freital) Germany cover (flap fault) to Melbourne franked 3Rm90 [UPU 40pf plus airmail surcharge 50pf per 5gms x7], carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE651 detailed in preceding lot, Melbourne arrival (May 19).

1938 (May 20) cover London to Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE655 which experienced multiple delays: (i) Caledonia experienced consecutive delays, firstly due to weather at Marseilles May 22-23, and May 23-24 at Athens, following collision with a buoy, (ii) Corio was delayed May 27-29 with mechanical problems, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 5).

1938 (May 20) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE655 which experienced multiple delays detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 5).

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$300 $400

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1002 1003

1004 1005

1006 1007

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1938 (May 22) cover (small faults) Koblenz Germany to Adelaide bearing unusual franking for 75pf single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE655 which experienced multiple delays detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Adelaide (Jun 2).

1938 (May 28) cover Riga Latvia to Sydney endorsed ‘Per/”Lot”‘, franked 1L50 [UPU 35s plus airmail surcharge 1L15 per 5gms], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 during which Cordelia Jun 7 developed mechanical trouble at Bangkok, and mail load was transferred to Coogee, which departed two days later, backstamped Marienburg-Eydtkuhnen/Bahnpost (May 29), Edgecliff (Jun 14).

1938 (May 30) D. Fain Kaunas Lithuania cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked (both sides) aggregate 3L40 [UPU 60c plus airmail surcharge 2L80 per 10gms], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Berlin-Zentralflughafen (May 30), Melbourne (Jun 13).

1938 (May 30) Carl Persson & Söner (Ystad) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 105ö for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz Hafen/Bahnpost (May 31), Melbourne (Jun 13).

1938 (May 31) cover Lodz Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z75, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Warsaw (Jun 1), Athens (Jun 2), Melbourne (Jun 13).

1938 (May 28) registered cover Wien to Melbourne franked aggregate (both sides) 3s72, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Greece (Jun 2), Darwin (Jun 10), Melbourne (Jun 13), St.Kilda (Jun 14).

$500 $500

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1011

1012

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1938 (May 30) W.A. Buhmeyer (Bremen) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 75pf for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding five lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 13).

1938 (May 30) cover Messina Italy to Melbourne franked 5L50 for single rate, small faults, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE658 detailed in preceding six lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 13).

1938 (May 21) cover Oakland California to Glenelg SA, posted final day of National Air Mail Week (May 1521), franked 75c, forwarded via PanAm Trans-Pacific service FAM14 flight 108 Philippine Clipper departing San Francisco May 25, subsequently to be involved in two incidents: (i) Hong Kong Feeder Service (Imperial Airways flight HB36) took over mail load and Dorado caught fire just before take-off for Bangkok, load transferred to Daedalus, (ii) From Bangkok Imperial Airways IE658 Cordelia developed mechanical problems, necessitating transfer of mail load to Coogee, sequence confirmed by backstamps of Hong Kong (Jun 2), Melbourne (Jun 13), Adelaide (Jun 13), reverse with evidence of trauma consistent with water damage. Almost certainly unique origin/destination for these dual events.

1938 (Jun 7) cover Birmingham to Sydney bearing solo franking of 2/6d Seahorses for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660, the Ceres leg of which was caught in heavy monsoon rain en route from Karachi to Singapore, and made a forced-landing in Lake Dugari (Central India). The aircraft was unable to continue, being stuck in soft mud in the shallow lake, and the mail was carried by bullock cart for 32kms, and by car for a further 15kms, to join the railway at Lake Gwalior, where the relief aircraft Capella was waiting on the day of the incident. This cover shows clear signs of having been partially immersed in water.

1938 (Jun 7) cover Brighton & Hove to Adelaide endorsed ‘Airmail’ but franked 1½d (pre-empting the Allup 1½d rate which was to be introduced to Australia the following month), appropriate tax markings and Australia Postage Dues (2d x13 and 1d) affixed, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Adelaide (Jun 24). [The letter is addresed to Mrs Richard Tauber (wife of the great singer), on the SS Orantes.]

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1938 (Jun 3) Fernand Lenain (Verviers) Belgium cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 8f25 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 24).

1938 (Jun 4) Carl Persson & Sรถner (Ystad) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne, Meter denominated 105รถ for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz (Hafen)/Bahnpost (Jun 5).

1938 (Jun 8) cover Riga Latvia to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1L50 [UPU 35s plus airmail surcharge 1L15 per 5gms], carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Berlin-Zentralflughafen (Jun 8), a particularly exotic origin participant in this event.

1938 (Jun 7) cover (blemishes) Zurich to Melbourne bearing 1f10 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding five lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 24).

1938 (Jun 8) Moolchand Jeykishhandas & Co (Ahmedabad) cover (small corner fault) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 12a for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE660 detailed in preceding six lots backstamped Jodhpur (Jun 11).

1938 (Jun 11) cover Hamstead to Melbourne bearing 1/3d franking, overweight and taxed double deficiency, Australia Postage Due 4d block of six and 3d pair affixed reverse (pencil-cancelled) over Melbourne arrival, some handling faults, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE661, where Cooee developed engine trouble Jun 15 after leaving Karachi, necessitating return, service resuming two days later.

$500 $400

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

1019 1020

1021

1022 1023

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1938 (Jun 7) registered cover (minor crease) Wien to Canberra bearing Austria 5s91 and Germany 3Rm combination franking, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE661 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Athens (Jun 11), Darwin (Jun 21), Canberra (Jun 24). Fine Anschluss era cover.

1938 (Jun 8) cover Bielsko Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z50 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE661 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Warsaw (Jun 9), Melbourne (Jun 24).

1938 (Jun 10) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen) registered cover (365x145mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 45Rm05 (415gms), some stamp damage, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE661 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Brindisi (Jun 12), Melbourne (Jun 24).

1938 (Jun 11) Grecian Wool Selling Agency Athens to Henry B Smith Melbourne, attractively franked cover for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE661 detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jun 24).

1938 (Jun 28) The East Asiatic Co (San Francisco) cover to Sydney, originally franked 50c only and returned for additional 20c (affixed in the form of 5c coil strip), handstamped ‘CLIPPER MAIL’, carried by PanAm FAM14 flight 113 in which Hawaii broke a wing strut upon take off at San Francisco Jun 29, repairs were effected and service resumed Jul 3, connecting with Imperial Airways Hong Kong Feeder Service (flight HB 39) to Bangkok, thence IE660 to Australia, reverse with Golden Gate International Exposition cinderella, Hong Kong (Jul 12) and Chippendale (Jul 25) backstamps.

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1025

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1938 (Jun 29) cover Lodz Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z75 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight IE666 where Cassiopeia landed Jul 6 at Koh Samui, an island off the coast of Siam, with engine trouble, Cordelia took over the mail load, departing Jul 7, backstamped Warsaw (Jun 30), Sydney machine cancel is set for ‘6 –PM/9 JLY’, which is an error for Jul 12. [See Lot 1026]

$600

1938 (Jul 1) Gottfried Rüppel (Bremen) registered cover (365x145mm) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 26Rm60 (160gms), one 3Rm small damage, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE666 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Darwin (Jul 9), Melbourne (Jul 12), Spencer Street ‘CARDED’ datestamp (Jul 13) on front.

$800

1938 (Jun 30) Grecian Wool Selling Agency (Athens) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne with franking including 50d Air, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE666 detailed in preceding two lots, Sydney machine cancel is set for ‘6 –PM/9 JLY’, which is an error for Jul 12. [See Lot 1024] 1938 (Jul 1) Omerods (Bombay) cover (minor flap fault) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 19½a for double rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight IE666 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jul 12).

$600 $600

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1938 (Jul 11) cover (small fault top right) Ayr to Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, framed ‘MISSENT TO/WELLINGTON, N.Z.’, carried by Imperial Airways service flight IE670 during which at Sharjah on Jul 16 Corio was involved in a collision with Cooee, Circe took over the mail load Jul 17.

1938 (Jul 12) G.M & Co (London) cover to Woodend Victoria franked perfin ‘G.M./& Cº’ aggregate 1/3d for single rate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Melbourne (Jul 25).

$350 $500

1031

1030

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1031

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1032

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1032

1938 (Jul 12) European Wool Co (London) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1/3d for single rate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Melbourne (Jul 25).

1938 (Jul 14) Carl Persson & Söner (Ysatd) Sweden cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne Meter denominated 105ö for single rate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Berlin-Sassnitz (Hafen)/Bahnpost (Jul 15), Darwin (Jul 22), Melbourne (Jul 25).

1938 cover Bielsko Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z65 for single rate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Zerbzydowice (Jul 15), Sydney (Jul 25).

$500 $500 $600

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1033 1034

1035 1036

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1938 (Jul 13) Deutsch Bank (Leipzig) registered cover (roughly opened at left) to Sydney franked aggregate 5Rm85, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Darwin (Jul 22), Sydney (Jul 25).

1938 (Jul 13) Wien Anschluss period cover to Sydney franked Germany 2Rm50 aggregate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding five lots, Athens transit on front, backstamped Wien, Sydney (Jul 23).

1938 (Jul 13) Behar & Assael (Sofia) Bulgaria attractive cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 55L single rate, carried by Imperial Airways flight IE670 detailed in preceding six lots, backstamped Athens (Jul 14), Sydney (Jul 23).

1938 (Aug 24) duo from Sydney to UK/Germany by Imperial Airways service flight SW8 where Calypso developed engine problems Aug 27 at Surabaya NEI, and Centurion took over mail load two days later, comprising [1] Sydney to London at 5d All-up rate, small corner fault; [1] and Sydney to Braunschweig Germany bearing Kangaroo 9d pair, underpaying 1/9d ½oz rate, faint taxing details at left. (2)

1938 (Nov 5) L.A. Bolomey (Marseilles) registered cover to Melbourne franked 31f75 [UPU 2f75 plus airmail surcharge 7f per 5gms x4 plus 2f registration], carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 44 during which Canopus was delayed Nov 10 at Rangoon after colliding with an oil barge, damaging a float, losing one day due to the incident, backstamped Darwin (Nov 15), Melbourne (Nov 18). Sanford (Air Crash Mail of Imperial Airways & Predecessor Airlines) states: ‘No covers are known in collectors’ hands’.

$500 $400

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$1,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1039

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1041 1042

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1938 (Nov 3) cover (minor blemishes) Riga Latvia to Sydney franked 1L15 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 44 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Marienburg-Eydtkuhnen TPO (Nov 3), Sydney (Nov 16).

1938 (Nov 2) cover Lodz Poland to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 1z50 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 44 detailed in preceding two lots, backstamped Warsaw (Nov 3), Athens (Nov 5).

$1,000

1938 (Nov 11) Stöhr & Co (Leipzig) registered cover (310x145mm) to Sydney office franked 7Rm05 (60gms), small blemish, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 44 detailed in preceding three lots, backstamped Brindisi (Nov 5), Sydney (Nov 15).

$800

1938 (Nov 5) Grecian Wool Selling Agency (Athens) cover to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 28d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 44 detailed in preceding four lots, backstamped Melbourne (Nov 16).

1938 (Nov 22) cover Bournemouth to Perth on board Imperial Airways Calpurnia which, when attempting to land Nov 23 during a severe sand storm, and in the dark, struck the water too hard and crashed in Lake Ramadi (Iraq), 20 kms from Lake Habaniyah, the normal landing place, killing all four crew members, stamp lost in event, fine strike framed handstamp ‘DAMAGED BY WATER/THROUGH ACCIDENT/TO FLYING BOAT.’ on front, reverse with affixed explanatory memo from Deputy Director, Perth. Fine example to uncommon destination.

$1,200

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$350

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1938 (Nov 23) cover London to Collington New Zealand bearing scarce solo franking of 3d KGVI for double All-up rate, on board Imperial Airways Calpurnia detailed in preceding lot, handstamped ‘RECEIVED IN DAMAGED CONDITION/EX FLYING BOAT CALPURNIA.’.

1938 Calpurnia crash (detailed in preceding two lots) selection, comprising [1] Liverpool-Hobart bearing 1½d, ‘SALVAGED/EX ‘CALPURNIA’’ handstamp front and reverse, [2] stampless cover (card enclosure) Bexhill-on-Sea to Corryong Victoria, with Deputy Director (Sydney) explanatory memo, [3] London-Sydney Meter denominated 1½d with handstamped ‘Received at/SYDNEY, NSW/DAMAGED’ handstamp and same explanatory memo as in 2, and [4] London-Melbourne stampless cover with more specifically worded Sydney explanatory memo, good representation. (4)

1938 (Dec 2) Bank of New South Wales cover (275x115mm) London to Brisbane office, franked 2/4½d, carried on Coorong leg of Imperial Airways service flight SE 57 which, during its scheduled stop at Darwin, came loose from its moorings when subjected to 100kms per hour cyclonic winds, much of the mail becoming immersed in water and salvaged later. Brisbane inscribed repair tapes affixed, tied by informative handstamp ‘DAMAGED BY WATER/THROUGH ACCIDENT/TO FLYING BOAT’ (both sides), as it was to mail on the earlier arriving Calpurnia (See Lot 1042). The two incidents are often confused, however, it is possible to positively identify items from the two events by the departure dates; UK originating Coorong mail will have posting dates of between Dec 2-4; Calpurnia will more likely be Nov 22-23. Three covers recorded from this incident, one (without handstamp) realized $3910 in our Nov 2011 sale. AAMC #835 – unpriced.

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Contact us today to discover how our superior service can help you achieve the best results with your consignment.

$300

$800

$5,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

1046

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1047

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1049

1050

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1938 (Dec 10) registered cover Berlin to Sydney bearing solo franking 3Rm von Hindenburg, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 59 Cordelia, which was delayed at Brindisi Dec 11 for two days owing to mechanical trouble, service resuming Dec 14, backstamped Brindisi (Dec 12), Sydney (Dec 23).

1938 (Dec 10) registered cover Berlin to Adelaide franked 1Rm05 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 59 Cordelia, detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Brindisi (Dec 12), Melbourne (Dec 23).

1938 (Dec) covers carried on consecutive Imperial Airways service flights at 5d All-up rate which experienced delays, comprising [1] (Dec 15) Augusta SA to London on SW57 where Corsair was delayed Dec 21-23 at Calcutta, and [2] (Dec 20) Fremantle-London on SW58 where Corio was delayed by adverse weather at Brindisi and mechanical trouble at Marseilles, minor blemishes. (2) 1938 (Dec 19) unsealed Anschluss period cover Wien to Woodend Victoria bearing 1Rm75 franking for triple rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE63 which experienced delays as a result of mechanical problems with two aircraft, on three occasions: (i) Challenger was affected by mechanical failure at Brindisi Dec 19-20, (ii) and Bangkok (24-25 December), and (iii) Circe suffered engine trouble at Koepang NEI Dec 26-29, backstamped Sydney (Dec 30).

1938 (Dec 27) Alfa Sports (Batavia NEI) cover, illustrated with tennis players, (roughly opened) to Melbourne franked 45c, framed ‘By air to Australia and/onward airtransmission’ handstamp, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 63 detailed in preceding lot, experiencing however only (iii), Circe suffering engine trouble at Koepang, backstamped Sydney (Dec 30).

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1939

1051 1052

1053 1054

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1939 (Jan 6) Bar-Lock Typewriter Co (Nottingham) cover bearing 1½d for All-up rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 72 Corio which arrived at Darwin Jan 18, where mail was transferred to Guinea Airways Koranga, which took off in a heavy rainstorm, struck a tree, and plunged in to the Katherine River.

The crew of four was killed, reverse with Deputy Director Perth informative memo.

1939 (Jan 9) N. Heid Wien Anschluss era cover to West Perth Meter denominated 3s25, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 72 detailed preceding lot, Perth informative memo, mail other than UK origins from this incident rare.

1939 (Jan 9) cover Thessaldniki Greece cover to Perth franked 23d (another stamp lost in event), carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 72 detailed preceding two lots, Perth informative memo, an attractive cover for this incident, from rare origin.

1939 (Jan 8) cover Quilon India to South Perth franked 2½a for All-up rate, carried on Imperial Airways flight SE 72 detailed preceding three lots, Perth informative memo, rare origin, important addition for EAMS exhibit.

1939 (Jan 12) cover (opening faults) Coogee NSW to Cardiff GB franked 5d for All-up rate, carried on plagued Imperial Airways service flight SW69 during which Centaurus (i) returned Jan 22 to Alexandria due to a wireless problem, (ii) force-landed Jan 23 at Lake Biguglia Corsica, and finally (iii) delayed Jan 25-27 at Marseilles owing to inclement weather, also 1938 (Sep 22) cover Balaclava Victoria to Essen Germany by SW 20, during which Capella developed engine trouble Sep 20 at Tiberias Palestine, Caledonia taking over mail load and departing two days later. (2) 1939 (Mar 3) Orient Line cover France to Melbourne franked 16f25, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 95, the Carpentaria leg of which, while moored at Bangkok Mar 9, was damaged by a Chinese junk, and the mail load transferred to Canopus.

$400 $600

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Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

1057

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1059

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1060

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1062

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1939 (Mar 3) registered cover Locarno Switzerland to Sydney franked 1f30, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 95 detailed in preceding lot, backstamped Brindisi (Mar 4) and Sydney (Mar 14).

1939 (Mar 2) cover Magyarovar Hungary to Sydney bearing franking aggregate 1p80 for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 95 detailed in preceding two lots.

1939 (Jul 17 & 18) Anschluss era covers Wien to Sydney written in same hand with varying compositions for 75pf rate, boarded to Imperial Airways service flight SE 154, the Clio leg of which on Jul 27 developed engine trouble north of Townsville Australia, necessitating transfer of load to Coogee, opening faults, covers from this event rare. (2) 1939 (Sep 22) cover (adhesions reverse which may be removed with care) London to Sydney franked 1/3d for single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 180 where Champion experienced engine trouble at Corfu (Sep 25-27), necessitating mail load transfer to Clio, which in turn was also delayed by mechanical problems, at Habbaniyah Iraq (Sep 28-29).

1939 (Nov 10) Agent General for Western Australia registered cover London to Midland Junction WA franked 1/3d (registration fee 3d not paid), carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE 194 where Coriolanus experienced engine trouble (port outer engine) Nov 15 at Athens, mail load being required to be transferred to Cordelia, the service delayed two days, backstamped Perth (Nov 27), Midland Junction (Nov 27).

1939 (Nov 28) censored cover Geneva to Manley Queensland franked solo 1f, carried by Imperial Airways service flight SE 199 where Corio suffered tail damage Dec 4 at Tiberias Palestine, and the mail load was transferred to Coogee the following day, confirmed on this flight (rather than the duplicated service XSE 199 offered in following lot) by Brisbane arrival (Dec 12), censored at Brisbane, apparent Post Office repair to damage at top. The only recorded origin/destination cover from this event.

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

1063 PS 1939 (Nov 29) use Felixstowe to Ballarat Victoria of Stationery 4½d Registered Letter uprated 2/4½d, carried on Imperial Airways duplicated service flight XSE 199 (see preceding lot for SE 199), where Clio was delayed Dec 3-6 by mechanical problems at Alexandria and Dec 9-10 at Akyab, Melbourne Dec 14 arrival confirms allocation to this flight.

1064 * 1939 (Dec 20) cover from Perth (Santa Claus slogan) to UK at single rate, carried on Imperial Airways service flight SW200 where Corio was involved in two incidents in Netherlands East Indies, as follows: (i) forced-landing Dec 26-27 near Batavia, and (ii) further forced-landing Dec 27-28 Tjitaroom River at Klabat Bay.

$300

1939 (Dec 27) S.L. Jones & Co (San Francisco) cover to Sydney franked $1.40 for double PanAm Clipper rate, FAM14 flight 179 Philippine initially departed S.F. Jan 3 1940, but returned owing to mechanical problems, and departed again two days later, but was forced to return. On Jan 11 a third attempt to continue was aborted by adverse weather, the flight was cancelled, and mails were placed aboard SS Matsonia, which left the following day. The Hong Kong backstamp (Jan 27 1940) confirms this item went by flight 180, China Clipper, joining the Imperial Airways Hong Kong Feeder Service (flight HB206), departing for Bangkok Jan 28 arriving same day, where it would have been loaded to any one of flights SE214-220, there having developed considerable delays to flights and a backlog of mail built up owing to no aircraft leaving Poole UK between Jan 20-Feb 2, owing to the harbor being ice-bound. A most unusual and rare delayed item.

$800

1940 (Jan 17) Escompto Medan to Sydney franked 25c for single rate carried KNILM PK-AFO on the Batavia-Sydney line, which on Jan 22 landed in the sea off Djimbaran (Netherlands East Indies), 2kms south of the destined Bali Airport. The aircraft broke into two parts and the right wing broke off, five passengers and three crew members were killed. On board was 15kgs of mail, much of it originating in NEI, informative markings ‘RECOVERED FROM/LOST FLYING BOAT’ were applied, incorrectly attributing ‘Flying Boat’ to what in fact was a landplane.

$400

1065

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1940

1066

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$500

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

1067 1068

1069 1070

1071 1072

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1940 (Jan 16) N.V. General Motors (Tandjong Priok) to Wellington New Zealand franked 25c solo for single rate, carried on ill-fated flight detailed in preceding lot, fine strike of the informative marking, ‘off Koepang Jan. 1940’ added beneath. New Zealand as a destination rare.

1940 (Jan 13) Nederlandsch Indische Handelsbank (Medan) registered cover to Sydney, clear signs of trauma from KNILM PK-AFO event detailed in preceding two lots, rare ‘Recovered From Lost/Flying Boat’ in red applied only to registered mail, backstamped Sydney (Jan 24). Only six recorded in red.

1940 (Jan 10) cover Brescia (Italy) to Sydney boarded to Imperial Airways west-east service flight SE 210 or 211 at Brindisi, off-loaded to KNILM PK-AFO on the Batavia-Sydney line, which on Jan 22 landed in the sea off Djimbaran (Netherlands East Indies), 2kms south of the destined Bali Airport. Fine strike on reverse of informative marking. The only recorded item this origin/destination.

1940 (departed New York 1939 - Dec 29) extraordinary participant in KNILM major event, to Wellington New Zealand, the cover with typewritten instruction ‘VIA LONDON AIRMAIL’, franked aggregate 45c indicating surface to UK where boarded to Imperial Airways west-east service, off-loaded to KNILM PK-AFO on the Batavia-Sydney line, which on Jan 22 landed in the sea off Djimbaran (Netherlands East Indies), 2kms south of the destined Bali Airport. Censored in New Zealand, fine strike on reverse of informative marking ‘RECOVERED FROM/LOST FLYING BOAT’. The only recorded item this origin/destination.

1940 (Feb 17) censored registered cover (opening fault) Belgrade Yugoslavia to Sydney franked 25d50 [UPU 3d plus airmail surcharge 17d50 per 10gms plus 5d registration], carried on Imperial Airways service flight where SE 222 Corinna was delayed Mar 2 by engine problems at Karumba, Queensland, over 2000kms from Brisbane.

1940 (Jun 6) John C Molinari (Athens) censored cover (little roughly handled) to Henry B Smith Melbourne franked 178d [UPU 13d (20-40gms) plus airmail surcharge 25d per 5gms x6 plus 8d registration - overpaid 7d], carried on Imperial Airways service flight SE252 where Cooee developed engine problems Jun 5 at Alexandria, necessitating mail load transfer to Carpentaria, which departed on Jun 7, Melbourne Censor tape/handstamp.

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1074

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1940 (Jun 7) Aktiebolaget Svensk Rakklinga Sandviken Sweden cover to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney with ‘Återställes till avsändaren’ (Return to sender) PO form dated ‘20 december 1940’, fully affixed over address and ‘Par avion’ etiquette, essentially advising article unable to be forwarded through Italian PO due to Italy entering WWII, franked 1kr05 for UPU 30ö plus airmail surcharge 75ö per 5gms. Exceptional instance of delayed wartime mail, the only example recorded to Australia. [This item was contained within the Swedish Chamber of Commerce correspondence hoard, and must have been forwarded under separate cover in late 1940/early 1941.]

1940 censored covers at single rate Australia to UK via Horseshoe route inolved in delays, comprising [1] (Aug 31) Quirindi NSW to London by WS 14 (departed Sydney Sep 3), Castor developing engine trouble Sep 4 at Townsville Queensland, Cameronian took over mail load following day, censored Sydney, and [2] (Oct 24) Melbourne-Nottingham by WS 30 (departed Sydney Oct 28), Corio delayed Nov 5-7 at Dubai with engine trouble, and further at Kisumu KUT due to Captain developing malaria, censored Melbourne.

1941 (Feb 17) censored covers Sydney to New York and Royston England carried from Auckland (departed Mar 1) by PanAm Trans-Pacific Clipper service FAM19 flight 16, where Honolulu between Noumea and Canton Island experienced engine failure, but was able to return to Noumea where flight was delayed a further day, first at 4/- and second from POW at 5/10d ½oz rates, the USA destined cover with NY backstamp (Mar 11). (2) 1941 (Jun 13) covers from separate origins in Stockholm Sweden, but to same destination, Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney, franked at 4kr05 (at outset) and 1kr30 for quadruple and single airmail surcharge rates (1kr per 5gms), both with indications of trauma associated with immersion in water, former inscribed ‘Printed matter’ and with endorsement ‘Recd Darwin in/this condition/minus stamps/(initialled)’, reverse with strip of gummed paper affixed as an inefficient Post Office (Darwin) repair, Sydney Censor tape and handstamp applied on arrival at destination. [These are the only recorded covers to Australia from this incident, the precise nature of which has yet to be determined. One possibility is they were aboard S.S. Atlantic City, which left UK Jul 23 1941, destined for South Africa to participate in the Imperial Airways Horseshoe route Durban-Sydney (via Darwin). Atlantic City was torpedoed en route, but not sunk, and was towed, the mail eventually being transferred to City of Johannesburg.]

We DO NOT have ‘T’ lots, all lots are sold inclusive of GST. GST is only applicable to buyer’s commission and despatch costs.

$750

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$2,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

1077

1078

1079

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1080

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1081

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1941 (Aug 27) cover Vienna to POW at Sydney, redirected with ‘INTERNMENT CAMP/TATURA, VIC.’ handstamp, German and Melbourne Censor tapes (possibly also Sydney remnant), cover stated recovered from B.O.A.C. airliner which crashed in Egypt Dec 21 1941, no further details can be traced by us, manuscript ‘16 I 42’ beneath Wien datestamp may be date received by addressee, ex Alexander S. Newall (Leski Auctions Sale 153 Lot 1696). The only example to Australia recorded.

1941 (Dec 3) censored cover Melbourne to Ottawa franked 3/11d for PanAm Trans-Pacific Clipper service, FAM19, in time to be boarded to flight 37 Pacific at Auckland, but owing to attack on Pearl Harbour probably sent via Horseshoe route and across Atlantic, backstamped Ottawa (Jan 5 1942), censored Melbourne, also Dec 8 1941 (day after Pearl Harbour) cover Melbourne-New York from POW, intended for PanAm service, but again necessarily rediverted. (2)

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$300

1941 (Dec 18) censored cover (opening fault) Çankaya Turkey to Swedish Chamber of Commerce Sydney franked aggregate 90k, carried on B.O.A.C. Horseshoe route flight NE 153 where Cooee Jan 7 1942 forcelanded at Haifa owing to weather, remaining a further day, censored at Cairo where backstamped (Jan 7 1942). This and the lot which follows are the only recorded participants in this event for this origin/ destination.

1941 (Dec 18) cover from same correspondence as preceding lot, varying franking composition for 90k rate, carried on B.O.A.C. Horseshoe route flight NE 153, similarly censored and backstamped at Cairo.

$600

1941 (Dec 19) cover Perth to AIF Abroad recovered from the KLM flight which at Medan NEI on Dec 28 was attacked by Japanese fighter aircraft, causing the aircraft to catch fire, ultimately destroyed. The passengers and crew had disembarked but the mail remained on board. Only two covers recorded, this the only one with ‘Ambulance’ cover, which was handstamped ‘CAUTION PLEASE/BURNED AIRMAIL’, and Medan Posts & Telegraphs handstamp placed lower left corner. AAMC #934a. A classic ‘crash’ cover.

$5,000

$600

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1941 (Dec 20) censored registered cover Winchelsea Victoria to Under Secretary of State Home Office Bournemouth, Melbourne transit backstamp of Dec 21 indicates adequate time to board Horseshoe route WS 151 ex Sydney (departed Dec 24), first leg by Corsair, which was replaced by Cassiopeia Dec 27 at Batavia, subsequently crashing at Subang (tip of Sumatra) following day, Corsair returning to take over flight Dec 29 at Port Blair. Little known major incident, extremely rare.

$800

1942 stampless cover from Melbourne to AIF Malaya, date lost when stamps were dislodged, but likely before Feb 15 when Singapore fell, showing framed ‘ARMY POSTAL SERVICE/DELIVERY IMPRACTICABLE/ RETURN TO SENDER’ and rare ‘DAMAGED BY/ENEMY ACTION’ (two applications) handstamps, Returned to Sender label affixed to reverse with Dead Letter Office Melbourne datestamp (Jun 15 1942). [Realised $1610 at a Melbourne auction in 2011.]

$1,500

1942 (Feb 12) dual censored cover Batavia N.E.I. to Geelong Victoria, N.E.I. Censor tape tied by datestamp of Feb 12, indicating this item was loaded to B.O.A.C. NE 160 or NE 161, the penultimate and ultimate Horseshoe route flights to Australia, respectively, with letter from father to son stating ‘. . . so far we have had no bombs on Batavia but we have an average of two alerts every day . . . a few days ago some Japanese fighters machine gunned the aerodrome here and caused some damage.’, censored at Melbourne upon arrival. [NE 160, the penultimate flight, experienced a significant incident, when Camilla was attacked at Darwin Feb 19 by Japanese fighters, but escaped to offshore islands, and returned following day.]

$1,000

1942 (May 28) P. Falk & Co (Melbourne) stampless cover to ‘Pte. E.T. Smith/12th Training Battalion/KING ISLAND’, recovered from the Australian National Airways aircraft (De Havilland Rapide) which crashed in to the sea near the coast off Flinders Island, killing all four persons on board. The mail was salvaged within days and sent to Melbourne for treatment before redespatching to Tasmania, ‘DAMAGED BY/WATER’ handstamp (two applications) first applied, blank adhesive label affixed to reverse tied by Currie King Island datestamp (Jun 8). The only recorded example, realized $6325 at a Melbourne auction in 2010.

$5,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1943 (Sep 1) registered cover from Australian Army Postal Service F.P.O. 167 to Sydney, carried from New Guinea by Catalina A24-52 of 11 Squadron RAAF, which crashed Sep 7 in Cleveland Bay, Townsville Queensland, killing pilot and twelve other officers and crew, with ‘DAMAGED BY WATER/THROUGH ACCIDENT/TO FLYING BOAT.’ handstamp in red on reverse. One of the rarer of the catalogued major incidents. AAMC #963a.

$2,000

1944 (May 5) Carl D Haas Stockholm censored cover to Sydney franked 95ö, evidence of exposure to water visible at right base, over which UK ‘Found open or damaged/and officially Secured’ tape has been affixed, London oval ‘O.A.T.’ at left over which is placed UK Censor tape. An incident between Sweden and GB for which we can offer no explanation.

$300

1944 (Oct) selection recovered from QANTAS Flying boat VH-ABB Coolangatta, which crashed in to Sydney Harbour Oct 11, with the loss of one life, four varying handstamps applied, including rare ‘INDECIPHERABLE’, and cover-fragment [addressed to notable Tasmanian Philatelist, Capt. Lew Viney] with Army explanatory letter, which is also rare. Exceptional group from this major incident. AAMC #984. (4) 1944 (Nov 25) ‘O.A.S.’ cover cancelled by ‘A.F.P.O./25NO44/Nº 201.’ datestamp to Sydney, reverse with plain adhesive tape tied by handstamped ‘DAMAGED BY WATER – AIRCRAFT ACCIDENT’, carried by RAAF DC3 of 40 Squadron Sunderland which en route from Milne Bay New Guinea crashed into the sea near Townsville Queensland. Another of the rarer catalogued major incidents. AAMC #992d.

Special Viewing for this Auction will be available on Stand 194 at AUSTRALIA 2013, the WORLD STAMP EXPO Melbourne, from Friday 10th to Wednesday 15th May Phoenix Auctions - Quality and Service Reborn

$1,500 $2,000

AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

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Post-war Incidents

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1953 (Oct 27) cover Brisbane to Mass USA bearing solo franking of Tasmanian Sesquicentenary 2/- for single rate, carried on British Commonwealth Pacific Airlines service flight 304/44, a Douglas DC-6 from Sydney to Vancouver, with scheduled stops at Nadi, Canton Island, Honolulu and San Francisco, which crashed during its initial approach towards San Francisco International Airport on Oct 29, killing all 19 people on board, ‘RECOVERED AFTER/AIR ACCIDENT’ handstamp applied at San Francisco. Discovered only in 2012, this is the first recorded mail survivor from this major incident and of great significance to Australian, American or Canadian Aerophilatelist..

1956 (Nov) trio of items with Australia 1956 Olympic Games frankings carried on Czechoslovak Airlines OKDBP, which crashed in fields after engine failure on scheduled flight Nov 23 Zurich to Prague killing all 23 on board, comprising [1] registered cover from Sydney bearing 7½d pair plu 1/- block of four (2/- per ½oz airmail x2 plus 1/3d registration), repaired with Post Office Praha seal on reverse; [2] charred fragment bearing 1/- with ‘Direction des postes Zurich’ informative memo affixed to reverse; and (iii) postcard (The Myer Emporium Ltd festooned with Olympic rings) bearing 1/- tied by Olympic Village cancel (1/- airmail postcard rate) signed by four Czech Olympic Games entrants/officials (?), charred at base; remarkable group of survivors from Australia for this catastrophic event with only one other item recorded from this origin, unlisted AAMC, dramatic items for an Olympic exhibit aside from the Aerophilately significance. (3) 1960 (Aug 22) official cover cover from Pretoria South Africa to Sydney bearing Zoological 6d x5 carried by QANTAS Southern Wave which crashed Aug 24 at Plaisance Mauritius and caught fire, accompanied by Australian Post Office explanatory letter. Rare, missing from all but the most significant of Australian Aerophilately collections, AAMC #1442 pricing “from $400” being conservative in the extreme.

$5,000

$1,500 $2,000

Phoenix Auctions - Friday 7th June 2013

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1968 (Apr) trio salvaged from BOAC Boeing 707 G-ARWE which left Heathrow London on Apr 8 en route to Zurich but shortly after take-off the pilot reported engine on fire, subsequently falling off, with the aircraft burning a forced-landing was attempted and the ensuing crash claimed five lives and 22 injuries, comprising [1] stamp surviving (1/9d Machin) to Elizabeth South Australia with London Postal Region explanatory memo; [2] stampless postcard (rare for this incident) to Prospect South Australia with Adelaide Post Office explanatory memo and ‘Ambulance’ cover; and [3] stampless cover to Sydney with Sydney Post Office explanatory memo, AAMC 1622a; good representation for this major incident. (3) 1974 (Nov) cover from Fife Scotland to Perth (WA) franked 10p for single rate carried by British Airways VC10 flight London to Far East which was hi-jacked Nov 22 in Dubai, recovered mail for Western Australia receiving a handstamped ‘DELAYED EN ROUTE/– AIRCRAFT HI – JACK –’ in violet. Unlisted AAMC and rare.

$1000

1974 (Nov) registered cover (220x155mm) London to Fremantle (WA) carried on British Airways hi-jacked Nov 22 flight, handstamped ‘DELAYED EN ROUTE/– AIRCRAFT HI – JACK –’ in a bluish shade, unusually with a high franking of £1.24 (including Machin £1) which may be record for this incident.

$1,000

1974 (Nov) cover from Birmingham to Safety Bay (WA) franked 10p for single rate carried on British Airways hi-jacked Nov 22 flight, superb strike on reverse of ‘DELAYED EN ROUTE/AIRCRAFT HIJACKED’ handstamp in black (in relief on the front), extremely rare handstamp variant.

$1,500

$750

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AIRBORNE COMMERCIAL MAIL TO AUSTRALASIA 1899-1945

Lot 34 - Extremely Rare Commercial Zeppelin article destined for Australia.

Lot 172 - 1931 Zeppelin Cover to Sydney via Berlin and Copenhagen.