Newfoundland Air Mail 1919-39
January 25, 2023
Newfoundland has played an important role in the development of long-distance air travel. As the easternmost place in North America, it became a popular runway for many aviation pioneers attempting to cross the Atlantic by air in 1919. It also served as a refueling point for round-the-world attempts in the 1920s. Amelia Earhart made two record-setting flights from Newfoundland, in 1928 and 1932. The advent of passenger flights in the 1930s brought the pioneer period to a close, but established Newfoundland as a major stopover between Europe and North America. This June will mark 104th Anniversary of the Alcock & Brown flight (On 15 June 1919 came the telegram with the news that the Vicker's Vimy landed in Ireland, having completed the 1,860 mile flight in 16 hours. The news was received with great enthusiasm. "Well, it must be something for a man in Ireland today to be able to say Yesterday, when I was in America", quoted the pilots). The rest is history.
We are pleased to present the award-winning collection assembled by Jean-Claude Vasseur, author of "Newfoundland Air Mails 1919/1939" published in 2015. The collection tells the story of the Great Transatlantic Air Race and the struggles of early aviation. Many rarities and unique items are included.
The auction will take place on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at 1:00 PM at Cherrystone Auction Galleries and on CherrystoneLive.
| Images | Description | Current Bid |
 | Lot #51 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 3 of the setting, perfectly centered, pencil signed, v.f., with 1934 BPA certificate (300 copies of the 36c Caribou were overprinted, 160 were sold at the GPO in St. John's, 48 were sent to Harbour Grace Post Office, remaining 92 were sold to "select personalities". Only 100 were actually used: 65 from St. John's and 35 from Harbour Grace) (Unitrade CAN $24,0000) ** Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $5,000.00 |
 | Lot #52 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 2, used on cover from St. John's Sep 25, 1930 to England, Harbour Grace Oct.9, 1930 transit on back, filing folds away from the stamps, v.f., signed Diena, with 2003 Greene Foundation certificate. Also included is a letter from Wm Heap to "Dear Mr. Cochrane, I return herewith 2 envelopes, as requested" (Unitrade CAN $15,000)  Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $3,500.00 |
 | Lot #53 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 4, v.f., used on Dominion Boot & Shoe Mfg. corner card cover from Harbour Grace Oct.9, 1930 cover to England, with 2009 PFC (only 48 stamps were sent to Harbour Grace Post Office, including two complimentary blocks to the pilot and the navigator, hence only a few covers known from Harbour Grace) Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 18,000 | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #54 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 3, v.f., used on cover from Harbour Grace Oct.9, 1930 to England, with Lowes Toft Oct 15, 30 arrival pmk on back, filing fold away from the stamp, with 1965 BPA certificate (only 48 stamps were sent to Harbour Grace Post Office, including two complimentary blocks to the pilot and the navigator, hence only a few covers known from Harbour Grace) Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 18,000 | Price Realized $4,500.00 |
 | Lot #55 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 2, v.f., used on corner card R.D.McRae & Sons cover from Harbour Grace Oct.9, 1930 to England, endorsed "By Special Air Mail per Aeroplane Columbia", minor cover toning away from the stamp, with 2009 Greene Foundation certificate (also included unused Newfoundland Post Office letterhead stationery) Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 18,000 | Price Realized $7,250.00 |
 | Lot #56 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 2, used on cover from St. John's Sep 25, 1930 to England, endorsed "Per Air Mail Columbia HrGrace to London, England, September 1930", part of backflap missing, minor cover tears at top, fine, with 1933 BPA and 2001 Greene Foundation certificates, Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $3,000.00 |
 | Lot #57 NEWFOUNDLAND AIR MAIL - 1921-1939 1930 "Miss Columbia" 1930 50c on 36c olive green "Columbia", position 3, used on cover from St. John's Sep 25, 1930 to England, Harbour Grace Oct.9, 1930 transit on back, v.f., manuscript "Arr. Croydon 11 Oct 1930" arrival docketing, cover signed by J.Errol Boyd, Harry P. Connor and Charles Levine (owner of the airplane), one of only two covers known signed by the two pilots and owner of the airplane, Catalog #C5 Catalog Value $ 14,000 | Price Realized $3,750.00 |
