POSTAL HISTORY: 1951 Survey Flight Leigh-Parkin cover to Sydney with huge 'COCOS/SYDNEY' "lightning bolt" cachet with typed 'PER QANTAS/CATALINA/VH-EBA' label tied to the reverse by superb strike of the second 'C&W LTD/11JUN1951/COCOS' cds, Australian 3d Federation only tied by 'GPO SYDNEY/ AIR /20JE51/ 7 / NSW-AUST' cds & boxed 'T ("6d")' cachet in violet also applied at Sydney, a couple of minor blemishes & minor abrasions affecting the lightning-bolt. [Colin Riddell's two similar covers, both registered to England, sold for $1795 & $3475 respectively. From this flight, this is the only non-registered cover & the only cover addressed to Australia known to us]

Grade B (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,500

POSTAL HISTORY: 1950 (Feb 12) cover from Adelaide to "The Postmaster/Cocos Island/Indian Ocean", oval 'COCOS IS/PER ("Islander")' h/s in violet & provisional usage of the earlier 'C&W LTD/5JUN50/COCOS' arrival cds both on the reverse. [The second cds was introduced by 28JAN50. Later & very occasional usage of the earlier cds has been noted]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$200