Gambia - Graf Zeppelin Pendulum Flights. 1935 (Nov 18) Brazil 100r postcard uprated 4100r and bearing a "Por Zeppelin / RECIFE-BATHURST" label, posted from Pernambuco to Bathurst with circular "SERVICIO AEREO TRANSOCEANICO / CONDOR / ZEPPELIN / LUFTHANSA / BRASIL - EUROPA" and a Bathurst (Dec 2) arrival c.d.s. Also a 1935 (July 3) picture postcard depicting the Graf Zeppelin over Brazil, flown on the Zeppelin from Brazil to Germany (S.5309A). In November the seaplane tenders "Westfalen" and "Schwabenland" were withdrawn for repairs, the service being maintained by the "Graf Zeppelin" with mail dropped and picked up by rope at Bathurst. This occurred on three flights of the Zeppelin, special labels being used on these flights on mail to Bathurst. (Also see lot 251). (2). Photo on Page 34. (Image1)

1936 (Feb 9) Registered cover carried on the first flight from Croydon to Kano with G.B 2d strip of three + 3d tied by "AERODROME B.O CROYDON, SURREY / AIR MAIL" datestamps, carried on the "Daedalus", with a fine Photo of the aircraft; February 18th G.P.O Lagos Post Office notice giving the latest posting times for air mail to the UK from Lagos, Ebute Metta and Apapa; and March 7th cover franked 6d from London to Accra carried on the "Daedalus" which was damaged upon landing at Geneina, transferred to the "Achiles" to Kano, then carried by train to Lagos and sea to Accra. Also a 1946 (Jan 29) cover from Accra to London franked 1/3, endorsed Test Letter No. 4" with British Airways Post Section handstamp (Feb 4) on reverse. (5).

Gambia Crash Mail. 1937 (Mar 9) Covers from Germany to Brazil with red "DEUTSCHE LUFTPOST / EUROPA-SUDAMERIKA / C" cachets, both with the stamps washed off, one handstamped "ACCIDENT D'AVIATION", the other with manuscript "Flugzeug i.a. Gambia ....." with arrival backstamps (Mar 15). The Deutsch Lufthansa "D-ALIX" crashed into a swamp in Gambia seven miles from Jeshawang Airport killing four crew. (2).

1956 (June 22) Long registered cover from Onitscha to England bearing five Nigerian stamps, a little fire damage at both ends, bearing a label regretting damage or delay with manuscript "Salvaged from B.O.A.C Argonaut Crash. L.B680 refers" and bearing an Inland Section London Postal Region c.d.s (June 3), with the ambulance envelope bearing a London Registered datestamp and Letter Branch Mount Pleasant handstamp and wax seal. The Kano to London B.O.A.C plane hit a tree upon take-off and crashed killing 26 people; a small part of the mail was recovered in damaged condition, this item being illustrated by Nierinck.

1956 (June 23) Badly burnt air letter to London with a 6d meter mark, enclosed in an O.H.M.S ambulance envelope handstamped violet "BY AIR", "3 JUL 1956" and "ENCLOSED LETTER SALVAGED FROM / AIR CRASH AT KANO (24-6-56)". Also two contemporary news cuttings reporting the crash. Photo on Page 38. (Image1)

1956 (June 21) 6d Air letter from Onitscha to England, minor fire damage at left edge, handstamped violet "SALVAGED MAIL EX. / B.O.A.C. ARGONAUT" with matching "LONDON / 110" rubber c.d.s (July 3) on the reverse.