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Lot No. 492

Auction No. 25
Category Airmails - Australia
    Airmails
Est. $400
Status SOLD $420

 

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1939 (18th Jan) Thessaldniki Greece to Perth Air Mail env carried on Imperial Airways "Corio", flight SE 72 which arrived in Darwin on 18th Jan where mail was transferred to Guinea Airways "Koranga". This aircraft took off in a heavy rainstorm, struck a tree & plunged into the Katherine River. The crew of four was killed. Cover has extensive water damage with 6 of the 7 adhesives remaining. Greek franking incls surcharged pair tied by Thessaloniki cds's. Typed seal on reverse reads; "The accompanying postal article was salvaged from the Mail Plane which crashed in Katherine River on 18/1/39, when en route with mails from England. FW Arnold, Deputy Director, Perth". An unusual origin for this disaster, possibly unique. AAMC 843, Cat. $400

 

Image represents the entire lot.