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1930 (Sep) Reti to Jacobabad emergency R.A.F flights, ½a postcards from Calcutta to Jacobabad, carried by R.A.F flight from Reti, with Jacobabad arrival datestamps of 1st or 7th September, "EMERGENCY AIR MAIL" cachets and flight vignettes on reverse, both signed by the pilot. Both fine, few postcards flown and pilot signed items scarce. (2). Photo on Page 188. £250-300
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1930 (Oct 29-30) Round the World solo flight by Mildred Bruce, covers franked 1a all flown from Karachi to Jodhpur, Allahabad, Calcutta, Rangoon or Akyab, all posted upon arrival, the cover to Akyab cancelled at East Rangoon, all signed by Bruce. A fine and scarce group, only five covers flown on the Karachi to Akyab leg and small numbers on the other legs. (5). £600-700
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1930 (Nov 1/4) India to Straits Settlements R.A.F flight, covers flown from Delhi to Calcutta franked KGV 1a, flight cachets (72 flown) or Calcutta to Bangkok with KGV ½a + Siam 2s (64 flown, vertical fold), arrival datestamps, the first pilot signed. (2). £140-160
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1930 (Nov 4/22) India to Straits Settlements R.A.F flight, covers carried on the outward flight from Karachi to Calcutta, pilot signed (25 covers flown), or on the return flight from Allahabad to Delhi (73 flown), both posted upon arrival franked KGV 1a, with fight cachets. (2). Photo on Page 188. £250-280
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1930 (Nov 18/22) Straits Settlements to India return R.A.F flight, covers flown from Calcutta to Delhi (43 flown) or Allahabad to Delhi (73 flown) franked KGV 1a, flight cachets, both fine. (2). £180-200
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1930 (Dec 21) A.B Murad Karachi to Cape Town solo flight attempt (which crashed at Shaibah, Iraq), cover flown from Dum Dum to Gaya with a KGV 1a cancelled upon arrival, two flight cachets, signed by the pilot. Very fine, 27 covers flown. Photo on Page 188. £150-180
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1930 (Dec 21) A.B Murad Karachi to Cape Town solo flight attempt, cover flown from Dum Dum to Delhi with KGV 1a cancelled upon arrival, two flight cachets, one tying a 1930 Christmas charity label, signed by the pilot. Fine, 32 covers flown. Photo on Page 188. £150-180
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1931 (Jan) Air Orient, Indo-China to France first return flight, Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta covers flown from Bangkok to Calcutta or Rangoon to Calcutta, both with "COMPAGNIE AIR-ORIENT / Escale de CALCUTTA" cachets signed below by the pilot. Very scarce, very few covers flown. (2). Photo on Page 188. £300-400
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1931 (Feb 9) First Indian acceptance for Australian mails flown from Perth to Adelaide, Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta covers bearing 1929 Air issues, from Calcutta to New Guinea, Papua, Pleasant Island, Marshall Islands, Fiji, Cook Islands, Samoa, Tahiti, Hawaii or New Zealand, all with Perth transit datestamps, some arrival datestamps. Minor staining, very scarce. (10). Photo on Page 190. £750-900
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1931 (Feb 25) Imperial Airways first despatch to East Africa sent entirely by air, Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta covers from Guadur to Wadi Halfa, Khartoum, Jinja, Kisumu and Mwanza, all flown by Trans-Indian Air Service from Delhi to Karachi and Imperial Airways from Karachi to Cairo connecting with the London to East Africa service. Very scarce. (5). Photo on Page 190. £500-600
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1931 (Feb 25) Imperial Airways first despatch to East Africa sent entirely by air, Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta covers from Calcutta to Luxor, Assiout, Assouan, Wadi Halfa, Kareima, Khartoum, Kosti, Malakal, Shambe, Juba, Kampala, Port Bell, Jinja, Kisumu, Mwanza, Nairobi, Moshi and Dodoma, all flown by Trans-Indian Air Service from Delhi to Karachi and Imperial Airways from Karachi to Cairo connecting with the London to East Africa service. Scarce, very small postings to most destinations, all bearing 1929 Air stamps, minor staining. (18). £900-1,200
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1931 (Feb 25) Imperial Airways first despatch to East Africa sent entirely by air, Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta covers from Jodhpur to Assiout, Luxor, Assouan, Kareima, Khartoum, Kampala, Kosti, Juba, Kisumu, Mwanza, Nairobi, Moshi and Dodoma, all flown by Trans-Indian Air Service from Delhi to Karachi and Imperial Airways from Karachi to Cairo connecting with the London to East Africa service. Scarce, very small postings to most destinations, all bearing 1929 Air stamps, minor staining. (13). £650-750
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1931 (Apr 1) Hollywood to Singapore flight by the American aviators Ross Hadley and John Pratt, cover flown on the Calcutta to Akyab leg with ½a pair cancelled at Park Street and 1a cancelled upon arrival at Akyab, bearing two flight cachets and a photographic vignette of the aviators and aeroplane, signed by both pilots. Also an unused vignette and piece with proof strike of the cachet used on mail flown from Karachi to Calcutta. 35 Covers flown. (3). Photo on Page 190. £180-220
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1931 (Apr 3) England to Australia flight by G.P Fairbairn and K. Shenstone, cover flown from Calcutta to Darwin with "British Flight" cachet and "DETAINED TILL 5th APRIL / ENGINE OVERHAULED", two KGV 1a stamps cancelled at Calcutta and an Australia 2d cancelled at Darwin (Apr 24), very fine, 43 covers flown. AAMC E177, $550. Photo on Page 190. £180-220
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1931 (Apr 12) Imperial Airways first experimental England to Australia flight via India, Burma and Singapore, picture postcards produced by the Aero Philatelic Club of Calcutta (6) and covers (23) flown from Karachi to Rangoon, Victoria Point or Australia (2, Darwin or Adelaide); Jodhpur to Allahabad, Calcutta, Rangoon, Victoria Point or Tavoy; Delhi to Allahabad, Calcutta, Akyab, Rangoon or Victoria Point; Allahabad to Calcutta, Akyab, Rangoon, Victoria Point, Singapore, Alor Star or Australia (2, Darwin or Sydney); Calcutta to Akyab, Rangoon, Victoria Point, Singapore, Batavia or Australia (2, Darwin or Sydney). A very scarce group, as few as six covers flown on certain legs, all bearing 1929 Air issues, Jodhpur items with Aerodrome c.d.s. (29). Photo on Page 190. £1,200-1,400
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1931 (Apr 30) Imperial Airways first experimental return flight from Australia to London via Burma and India, cover from Victoria Point to Calcutta with flight cachet but not flown due to the Postmaster despatching the mail by boat, and covers flown from Rangoon to Akyab, Calcutta, Allahabad, Delhi, Jodhpur, Karachi, Guadur, Athens or London; Akyab to Calcutta, Allahabad, Delhi or London; Calcutta to Allahabad, Delhi, Jodhpur, Karachi, Guadur, Bushire, Baghdad, Kisumu, Athens, Rome or London (2, one to Canada); Allahabad to Delhi, Jodhpur, Karachi, Guadur, Jask or London. A scarce group, as few as ten covers carried on some legs. (32). Photo on Page 190. £1,200-1,400
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1931 (Apr 30) Australia to England first experimental flight, registered cover from Rangoon to London franked Air 3a (2), 4a, 8a, the 8a stamp with variety reversed serif on "I" (S.G. 224b, £475), a scarce variety on cover. Photo on Page 190. £160-180
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1931 (May 5) Australia to England first return experimental flight, cover from Delhi to Lady Hewitt in London with Air 2a (2) + 6a tied by Civil Aerodrome Delhi datestamps, signed by the three crew, Charles Kingsford Smith, C.T.P Ulm and F.W Hewitt, scarce signed by all three aviators. Photo on Page 190. £180-200
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1931 (May 5) Imperial Airways second experimental flight from England to Australia, covers flown from Karachi to Allahabad, Jodhpur, Delhi, Calcutta, Rangoon, Victoria Point or New Zealand; Jodhpur to Victoria Point or New Zealand; Delhi to Calcutta, Allahabad or Rangoon; Allahabad to Calcutta or Akyab; Calcutta to Akyab, Rangoon, Victoria Point, Australia or New Zealand; Akyab to Victoria Point; Rangoon to Victoria Point, Singapore, Australia (3, Darwin, Brisbane and Melbourne) or New Zealand. A very scarce group, two covers flown from Jodhpur to Victoria Point, just one cover from Karachi to Victoria Point or Jodhpur to New Zealand. (26). Photo on Page 192. £1,500-1,800
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1931 (May 25) Imperial Airways second experimental return flight from Australia to England, covers flown from Victoria Point to England; Rangoon to Akyab, Calcutta, Allahabad, Delhi, Jodhpur or Karachi; Akyab to Calcutta, Allahabad, Delhi, Jodhpur, Karachi, Guadur, Gaza, Rome or London (2, one to Canada); Allahabad to Delhi, Jodhpur or Karachi. A scarce group, as few as six covers carried on some legs. (25). Photo on Page 192. £1,400-1,600
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1931 (July 18) 4a Air Mail Postcards with printed inscription "First Flight, Souvenir Air Mail Postcard issued at Calcutta Wednesday 15.7.31, Posted on Saturday 18.7.31 to connect at Karachi with west bound Air Mail leaving on Thursday 23.7.31", posted at Calcutta, flown to Bushire, Cairo, Wadi Halfa, Kampala or London, all fine. (5). Photo on Page 192. £280-320
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1931 (Aug 10) London to Shanghai flight by Mr and Mrs C.H Day, cover carried on the Calcutta to Akyab leg with photographic flight vignette depicting Mrs Day tied by the flight cachet, a further cachet on reverse, KGV ½a cancelled at Park Street, Calcutta, and a 1a cancelled at Akyab. Fine and scarce, 28 covers flown. Photo on Page 192. £280-320
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1932 (Jan 2) Delhi to Karachi first flight by the Delhi Flying Club, covers flown from Karachi to Jodhpur, Karachi to Delhi or Jodhpur to Delhi, the last franked 3a with a "JODHPUR / DUE / ½ AS" handstamp, all signed by the pilots, P.D Sharma or A.J Riley. (3). £250-300
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1932 (Jan 5) Karachi to Delhi first return flights by the Delhi Flying Club, covers flown from Delhi to Jodhpur, Hyderabad or Karachi; Jodhpur to Hyderabad or Karachi; or Hyderabad to Karachi, all signed by the pilot P.D Sharma. Fine and a very rare group, only 77 covers carried in total across all six legs with six covers flown from Jodhpur to Karachi and nine covers from Jodhpur to Hyderabad. (6). Photo on Page 192. £450-550
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1932 (Jan 18) First regular Imperial Airways service from India to Southern Africa, covers from Calcutta to Broken Hill, Salisbury, Bulawayo or Pietersburg, or from Delhi to Broken Hill, Salisbury or Johannesburg, scarce, few covers posted. (7). £280-320
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1932 (Feb 20) Viceroys Cup Air Race, flown cover with two vignettes and "FLOWN / 2 FEB 20 1932" cachet, unusually signed by five pilots, G. Goenka, R.W Chawla, G. Singh, Ursula Horsman and E.D Joyce, posted at Calcutta with five KGV 3p stamps on reverse. Possibly unique with five signatures, this cover specifically mentioned by Brown in "Indian Air Mails". Photo on Page 192. £150-180
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1932 (Mar 26) First Southern Africa Air Mail acceptance from Guadar, Persian Gulf, covers to Salisbury and Cape Town intended for the first flight but handstamped "RECEIVED TOO LATE FOR / INCLUSION IN AIR DESPATCH" and sent on the second flight, both with "GUADAR / DUE / ONE ANNA", very unusual. (2). Photo on Page 192. £180-220
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1932 (Oct 5) Air Orient Marseille to Saigon flight, covers flown from Calcutta to Bangkok or Saigon (2), one of these addressed to Manila with Hong Kong and Manila backstamps. 91 Covers flown in total, the Manila destination very scarce. (3). £180-200
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1932 (Oct 6/9) KLM Netherlands to Dutch East Indies flight, covers flown from Calcutta to Bangkok, Alor Star, Medan, Palembang, Batavia, Bandoeng or Manila (flown to Alor Star), or from Rangoon to Bangkok, Alor Star, Medan, Palembang or Bandoeng. 197 Covers flown in total, very small numbers carried on many legs. (12). Photo on Page 192. £600-700
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1932 (Oct 9) Imperial Airways new Gulf route, first acceptance from Burma, covers from Rangoon to Guadar, Bahrein, Basra, Baghdad, Rutba Wells, Tiberias, Paris, Kampala, Kisumu, Broken Hill, Salisbury, Johannesburg or Cape Town; Akyab to Guadar, Bahrein, Basra, Baghdad, Rutba Wells, Tiberias, Athens, London, Kampala, Kisumu, Broken Hill, Salisbury or Cape Town. Fine and scarce, the route changed to the south shore of the Persian Gulf after the Persian Government refused permission for Imperial Airways to fly over their territory, very few covers carried to most destinations. (26). Photo on Page 196. £1,400-1,600
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1932 (Oct 15/18) Tata Sons Ltd, Karachi to Madras route, official Tata first type flight covers with a Union Jack on map of India, covers all from or to differing destinations, comprising Oct. 15/16 outward flight covers from Karachi (4), Ahmedabad (3), Bombay (2) and Bellary, and Oct 17/18 return flight covers from Madras (14), Bellary (13), Bombay (26) and Ahmedabad (16), destinations include Guadar (3), Baghdad (2), Basra (4), Tiberias (2), Ramleh (2), Assouan, Alexandria (2), Cairo (2), Assiut (4), Atbara (2), Khartoum, Wadi Halfa, Kosti (2), Malakal, Juba, Mpika (2), Mbeya (2), Daressalaam, Dodoma, Salisbury (2), Victoria West, Johannesburg, Kimberley, Cape Town (3), De Hock, Keetmanshoop, Windhoek (3), Limassol (2), Athens and Brindisi (2). A superb group, all very fine, tiny mailings to many destinations. (79). Photo on Page 196. £3,200-3,600
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1932 (Oct 15/18) Tata Sons Ltd, Karachi to Madras route, official Tata second type flight covers with the Union Jack removed from the map of India, covers all from or to differing destinations, comprising Oct. 15/16 outward flight covers from Karachi (4), Ahmedabad, Bombay and Bellary, and Oct. 17/18 return flight covers from Madras (11), Bellary (15), Bombay (5) and Ahmedabad, destinations include Athens, Kosti, Juba, Mbeya, Daressalaam, Mpika, Salisbury, Johannesburg, Victoria West (2), Kimberley, Cape Town (3), De Hock, Upington, Keetmanshoop, Marienthal (2) and Windhoek (2). A superb lot, all very fine, few of these second type envelopes sold, tiny mailings to some destinations. (42). Photo on Page 196. £2,000-2,400
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1932 (Oct 15) Tata Sons Ltd, Karachi to Madras route, covers flown from Karachi to Bombay or Madras, both signed by the pilot Jehangir R.D Tata. Tata was also Chairman of Tata Sons Ltd, which finally became Air India International. Fine and very scarce, just three covers signed by Tata for each of the four legs flown from Karachi on this first flight. (2). Photo on Page 196. £180-220
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1932 (Nov 17) G.B to Australia flight by Jacques Hebert, cover flown from Calcutta to Akyab posted upon arrival franked KGV 1a3p, with flight vignette and cachet, pilot signed. Very minor paperclip rust mark at base, otherwise very fine, 57 covers flown. £100-120
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1933 (Mar 27) Zurich to Sydney flight by the Swiss aviator Carl Nauer, cover flown on the Calcutta to Rangoon leg, posted upon arrival franked KGV 3p + 1a, inscribed and signed by the pilot. Fine and very rare, just six covers flown. Photo on Page 196. £800-1,000
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1933 (Apr 7) Houston Mount Everest Expedition, cover flown on the first survey flight with flight vignette and cachet, posted from Purnea franked KGV 3p + 1a, reverse with a further flight cachet and Calcutta arrival c.d.s, signed by Stephen Smith. 87 Covers flown on behalf of the Aero Club of India, sold at one guinea each in aid of R.A.F charities, minor toning. £180-200
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1933 (Apr 8) Houston Mount Everest Expedition, piece signed by Stephen Smith and inscribed in his handwriting "Mt. Everest Fliers Base, Purnea Ry. Station, 8th April 1933" bearing the flight vignette and cachet used on the Aero Club of India flown covers, and boxed "PURNEA JUNCTION" (with "Junction" crossed through in ink). Also a printed card "With the Compliments of the Editor, "Calcutta Philatelist", 46 Police Hospital Road, Calcutta, To commemorate The First Flight Over Mount Everest by The Marquess of Clydesdale". (2). £200-250
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1933 (Apr 20) Houston Mount Everest Expedition, 2a, 3a, 4a, 6a and 12a Air stamps tied to separate pieces by the purple "HOUSTON MOUNT EVEREST FLIGHT / PURNEA" cancel dated 20 Apr. 33, probably unique on the 1929 Air issue. (5). Photo on Page 194. £900-1,100
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1934 (Jan 17/30) Bihar Earthquake flights, cover flown on the 17th January flight from Muzaffarpur to Dum Dum with flight vignette and "Delayed in Transit / Plane Damaged", posted at Dum Dum on February 2nd franked KGV 1a3p (50 covers flown); and cover carried on the January 30th flight from Dum Dum to Darbhangha with triangular flight vignette, posted upon arrival franked KGV 3p + ½a pair (66 covers flown), both fine. (2). £180-220
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1935 (June) Quetta Earthquake. Telegram envelope to "Mrs Vania, Victoria Rd, Kar." with light violet handstamp, and 1936 (July 10) letter from the Karachi Post Office "telegrams were exchanged between Quetta and Karachi by aeroplane on 1st June 1935"; stampless cover from Quetta (June 12) to Mrs Foregard at Agra (faults) with a cover posted back to "J. Foregard, Telegraph Office, Quetta" franked 3p + 1a; stampless cover (June 12) to London with "QUETTA EARTH QUAKE POSTAGE FREE"; photo of the Quetta Earthquake monument; and 1935 (July 10) letter from the Postmaster at Quetta "rubber stamps were affixed to each unregistered article by the Post Office and the Public was also allowed to write "Earthquake Area Postage Free" on such articles. After 15-6-35 free postage was stopped". An interesting group. (7). £400-500
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1935 (June) Quetta Earthquake. Stampless covers to England, two endorsed "Quetta Earthquake, Postage Free" or similar with Godmanstone arrival datestamps (June 15/18) and triangular "IS", one with Quetta (June 8) c.d.s and "T150c" crossed out; cover endorsed "Air Mail from Quetta" with Quetta c.d.s (June 13), straight line "QUETTA EARTHQUAKE POSTAGE FREE" and triangular "I.S"; and a cover endorsed "Earthquake No Stamps" and signed "F.M. Godfrey Lt, OGE Quetta" without any postal markings. (4). £200-250
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Chamba. 1930 KGV 8a reddish purple overprinted "CHAMBA STATE / SERVICE", marginal quarter sheet of eighty, upright watermark, fine unmounted mint. S.G. O55, £2,080. £400-500
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Chamba. 1938 KGVI 15r and 25r overprinted "CHAMBA STATE", vertical inter-panneau pairs, fine unmounted mint. S.G. 98/9, £1,060+. (2 pairs). Photo on Page 216. £300-350
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Gwalior. 1947 10r Official overprint type O2, inter-panneau block of four from the centre of the four panes, superb unmounted mint, unusual. S.G. O94, £320++. £120-140
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Nabha. 1938 KGVI 1r and 2r overprinted "NABHA STATE", central inter-panneau blocks of sixteen comprising blocks of four from each of the four panes, superb unmounted mint, unusual. S.G. 89/90, £896++. £250-300
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Nabha. 1942 KGV 4a Sage-green overprinted "NABHA STATE / SERVICE", unmounted mint block of sixteen with gutter margin at top, right column with light vertical gum crease, otherwise fine. S.G. O49, £512. £120-140
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Patiala. 1885 1a Brown-purple overprinted "PUTTIALLA / STATE" in black, a single with variety overprint double, and a block of four including the variety "PUTITIALLA" (apparently a constant variety but unlisted by S.G.), the double overprint with a few clipped perf tips at base, both mint with toned gum, otherwise fine. S.G. 11var, 11c. (5). Photo on Pages 170 & 204. £150-180
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1911-49 Mint and used selection comprising Bhopal 1949 8a Service overprint with serifs used (S.G. O343, small faults); Cochin 1938-44 3p on 4p with type O7 "On CGS" overprint block of four unmounted (S.G. O62); Hyderabad 1911-15 3a Official overprint block of four unmounted (S.G. O33d); Indore 1920 perf 12½ 1a used (S.G. 11b); Idar 1944 4a vertical pair used (S.G. 6) and 1943 1a postal fiscal unused (S.G. F3); Jaipur 1947 3p on ½a Service overprint variety surcharge double one inverted block of four unmounted (S.G O33a); Travancore 1946 perf 12½ 8ca marginal block of four unmounted (S.G. 76) and 1941-42 perf 12 Service overprint corner marginal block of four unused (S.G. O100b). A good group. S.G. £2,137. (25). Photo on Page 204 £400-500
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Dhar. c.1898 Native cover to Kanajalal bearing 1897-1900 ½p black on red (S.G. 2) tied by Dhar State c.d.s, with arrival backstamp. Very scarce. Photo on Page 130. £250-300
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Marwar - Revenues. c.1930 1a Revenue proofs comprising a die proof in carmine on thin gummed wove paper, 92x78mm, and imperforate plate proofs in green, brown or carmine. (4). £140-160
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