U.S. & Worldwide Stamps & Postal History
July 10-11, 2007
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #1781 RUSSIA Flight Covers 1939 Non-stop Transatlantic flight, Moscow-New York, by Soviet aviators Gen.Kokkinaki and Major Gordienko on their airplane "Moskva". After successfully crossing the Atlantic, the aviators were forced (due to bad weather over Labrador) to fly at 30,000 feet using oxygen masks. Their supply of oxygen was nearly depleted and at high altitude, the radio equipment froze up. Eventually, gen. Kokkinaki fainted and his navigator Gordienko took over the controls and managed an emergency landing at Miscou Island, off the coast of New Brunswick. After repairs, the "Moskva" proceeded to New York. This cover was one of only 32 (mostly postcards) carried on this flight and is only one of two known, actually autographed by both fliers. A rarity for an advanced collector of Trans-Oceanic aviation  Catalog #AAMC TO1320 | Price Realized $9,000.00 |
