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 #32 The Great Transatlantic Race "Handley Page" crew mail from Parrsboro, N.S. 1919 cover from the Vice-Admiral Mark Kerr "on Trans Atlantic Flight", franked with $1 surcharge, no comma variety, tied by mute Harbour Grace strike, with June 14, 1919 cds alongside, oval "Handley Page" July 3, 1919 datestamp. Cover was added to the mail bag in Parrsboro, canceled July 7th on back, sent to London and resent to Ontario, Canada (9 Aug), showing "this came back to me at Morrisburg August 31st" and initialed by Mark Kerr, some toning, otherwise fine. A rarity, only 5 (!) covers recorded mailed from Parrsboro with "Handley-Page" July 3 or July 7th datestamps (before Kerr could attempt the transatlantic flight, Alcock and Brown made the successful flight across the Atlantic, winning the Daily Mail prize. Kerr wanted to attempt the Atlantic, but was ordered to instead tour the aircraft in the United States. Kerr exchanged wireless messages with the R-34. The team left Harbour Grace for New York on 4 July 1919. On the way to New York, the engine started to overheat. There was a loud crack, the engine stopped, and a piece of metal went through the fuselage, which forced them down in Parrsboro, Nova Scotia, where they landed heavily on a small racetrack and destroyed the fuselage and damaged the tail. It took until October to repair the damage and continue the journey to New York. The aircraft was damaged again when it landed in Cleveland while en route to Chicago, and it was decided that the tour should be canceled and the aircraft was dismantled and shipped back to England)  Catalog #C2 | Price Realized $1,500.00 |
 | Lot #33 The Great Transatlantic Race "Handley Page" crew mail from Parrsboro, N.S. 1919 2c stationery card sent by Mark Kerr to London, with additional $1 Trans-Atlantic surcharge left uncanceled, Harbour Grace and June 14 cds, oval "Handley Page" July 3, 1919 datestamp, message on back signed by Mark Kerr, missing Parrsboro transit, this carried by the admiral himself, fine. A rarity, only 5 covers recorded mailed in Parrsboro with "Handley-Page" July 3 or July 7th datestamps Catalog #C2 | Price Realized $950.00 |
 | Lot #34 The Great Transatlantic Race "Handley Page" crew mail from Parrsboro, N.S. 1919 cover sent by Lt.Col. Ernst Stedman (correspondent) franked with $1 Trans-Atlantic surcharge, small comma variety (pos.20), June 14 Harbour Grace cds, oval "Handley Page" July 7, 1919 datestamp, Parrsboro transit (July 7) on back, minor cover defects, otherwise fine. A rarity, only 5 covers recorded mailed in Parrsboro with "Handley-Page" July 3rd or July 7th datestamps Catalog #C2 | Unsold |
