COCOS ISLANDS POSTAL HISTORY continued...
Colony of Singapore 1946 to 1955 continued...
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
Estimate in AU$'s |
| 221 |
 |
 MAIL PER NAVY FRIGATE: 1949 (Nov 24) social cover from England with UPU 6d pair to ER Leigh-Parkin "co Cable & Wireless Ltd/for
Cocos/PO Box 146/Singapore", the reverse with oval 'COCOS IS/PER ("Frigate")' handstamp in violet & 'Cocos-Keeling/("15 12 49")/Is' handstamp in black. Mail addressed to PO Box 146 was forwarded by the Singapore Post Office to Cocos on the first
available vessel. Very early Leigh-Parkin correspondence: he arrived on Cocos about October 1949. A frigate arrived at Cocos 15.12.1949. Colin Riddell's similar cover but from Australia sold for $1885 (Sale 233 Lot 2421). (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$750
Currently Opening at...AU$575.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 222 |
|
 MAIL PER NAVY FRIGATE: 1951 (Apr 3) large-part Singapore OHMS cover with very fine 'DIRECTOR OF POSTS/[arms]/SINGAPORE' cachet in
violet to "The Postal Agent/Cocos Island with 'SINGAPORE/3APR51' cds, oval 'COCOS Is/("16-9-51")/PER ("Frigate")' backstamp in violet, two vertical folds & opened-out. Delivered per frigate en route Singapore-Colombo. Colin Riddell's similar complete
-.04.1951 cover sold for $401 (Sale 233 Lot 2427).
To deter collectors from sending mail to Cocos, Singapore had denied in the philatelic press that there was a post office on Cocos. This was technically true but this cover proves the reality of the situation. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$200
Currently Opening at...AU$150.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 223 |
|
 MAIL PER PRIVATE SHIPS: 1950 Leigh-Parkin cover from England to "Cable & Wireless Ltd/PO Box 146/Singapore" with very fine oval
'COCOS Is/PER ("Islander")' cachet in violet on the reverse & equally fine strike of the first-type double-ring 'C & W LTD/5JUN50/COCOS' arrival cds, repaired flap-tear well clear of the markings. By 10.11.1950, the Cocos cds was replaced with a
similar instrument with finer inscriptions. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$500
Currently Opening at...AU$380.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 224 |
|
 MAIL PER PRIVATE SHIPS: 1950 Leigh-Parkin airmail cover from England to "Cable & Wireless Ltd/PO Box 146/ Singapore" with very
fine oval 'COCOS Is/("14 8 50")/PER ("Recorder")' cachet in violet on the reverse. From the only Cocos inwards mail carried per CS (= Cable Ship) 'Recorder', which visited Cocos to repair a broken telegraph cable. Colin Riddell's similar cover sold
for $675 (Sale 233 Lot 2429). (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$500
Currently Opening at...AU$380.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 225 |
|
 MAIL PER PRIVATE SHIPS: 1950 Leigh-Parkin airmail cover endorsed "2.10.50" on the reverse & "Per MY/Sari Marais" at lower-left, to
Devon with Penang 50c tied by 'PENANG/20OCT50' machine cancel. Motor Yacht 'Sari Marais' stopped at Cocos on a Round-the-World voyage. Only this cover was carried per favor. Ex Colin Riddell: sold for $2125 (Sale 233 Lot 2434).
Fun fact: 'Sarie Marais' is a well-known South African Boer song, popularised by Jim Reeves, and taught in Victorian primary schools in the 1960s.
(Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$1,000
Currently Opening at...AU$750.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
Tin Can Mail 1949 to 1953
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
Estimate in AU$'s |
| 226 |
|
 1949 (Dec 28) airmail cover from England to "ER Leigh-Parkin/co Cable & Wireless Ltd (for Cocos)/PO Box 146/Singapore", the reverse
with 3-line 'Mail From the/STRATHAIRD/Barrel - Cocos' handstamp & very fine 'C&W LTD/28JAN50/COCOS' arrival cds, minor blemish on the face. David Flaat's similar cover sold for $1035 (Sale 179 Lot 1438) and Colin Riddell's similar but taxed cover
sold for $1885 (Sale 233 Lot 2440).
On Friday 13th January 1950, two island boats delivering the outgoing tincan mail to the 'Strathaird' were wrecked in high seas. The mail & the islanders were rescued by the 'Strathaird' which took them to Perth, from where they returned per 'Wave
Monarch'. (Image1)
(Image2)
|
Estimate AU$1,000
Currently Opening at...AU$750.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 227 |
|
 1950 (Dec 2) airmail cover from Cyprus with KGVI 2pi Church, 3pi Castle & 4½pi Map pair, to "Robert Darvell/co Eastern Telegraph
Co/Singapore", the reverse with superb strikes of the circular 'ORION/Barrel' & boxed 'COCOS' cachets in violet, the latter with '5JAN51' handstamp added in black. Remarkable for the origin and for it not being from the Leigh-Parkin Correspondence.
The backstamps are probably the two rarest markings of Cocos. Colin Riddell's similar cover - from England - sold for $3065 (Sale 233 Lot 2443).
(Image1) (Image2)
(Image3)
|
Estimate AU$2,000
Currently Opening at...AU$1,500.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 228 |
|
 1951 Leigh-Parkin airmail cover to Devon with very fine strikes of the boxed 'TIN CAN MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' & 'Per WAVE BARON'
cachets both in violet, Ceylon 75c Temple tied by 'COLOMBO/22JA/51/ B ' cds. A rare cover: this was the only Tin Can mail per the Fleet Oiler RFA 'Wave Baron'. Kim Dwyer's very similar cover to GB & Colin Riddell's surface cover to South Africa sold
for $2185 (Sale 122 Lot 1003) and $3065 (Sale 233 Lot 2444) respectively. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$1,500
Currently Opening at...AU$1,150.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 229 |
|
 1951 Leigh-Parkin airmail cover to New York State with small improvised "R COCOS/0005" registration label and very fine strikes of
the boxed 'TIN CAN MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' & 'Per WAVE BARON' cachets both in violet, Ceylon 75c Temple & 1r Ruins tied by 'COLOMBO/23JA/51/REGISTERED' cds, aged Colombo R label, 'NEW YORK NY/JAN/27/1951/AIR MAIL FIELD' transit in purple &
'GHENT/JAN29/1951' arrival backstamps, minor imperfections. A rare and highly desirable cover. This was the only Tin Can mail per the Fleet Oiler RFA 'Wave Baron'. Kim Dwyer's airmail cover to GB & Colin Riddell's surface cover to South Africa -
neither registered - sold for $2185 (Sale 122 Lot 1003) and $3065 (Sale 233 Lot 2444) respectively. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$2,500
Currently Opening at...AU$1,900.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 230 |
|
 1951 airmail cover to Encyclopaedia Britannica in London with Leigh-Parkin's endorsement & 'COCOS STAFF LIBRARY' cachet on the
flap, fine strikes of the boxed 'TIN CAN MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' & circular 'Per RMS ORION/("12.4.51")' cachets both in violet, Australian 1/6d Hermes applied for airmail & cancelled with Perth slogan of '17APR/1951', a little soiled. Ex Kim Dwyer -
sold for $1150 (Sale 122 Lot 1007) and David Flaat: sold for $920 (Sale 221 Lot 1052). Believed to be the only cover recorded with the Staff Library cachet. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$750
Currently Opening at...AU$575.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 231 |
|
 1951 Leigh Parkin surface cover to Yorkshire with very fine boxed 'TIN CAN MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' cachet in violet & Orient Line
cachet for SS 'Orontes', Australian 3d Barton & ½d Kangaroo tied by Perth Federation Jubilee slogan of '28SEP/1951'. David Flaat's very similar cover sold for $437 (Sale 179 Lot 1448). (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$350
Currently Opening at...AU$270.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 232 |
|
 1951 Leigh Parkin PPC of RMS 'Orion' to England with very fine undated 'Per RMS ORION/("18-11-51")' & superb boxed 'TIN CAN
MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' cachets both in violet, Australian 2½d Stamp Centenary (Victorian Half-Length) tied by Perth Federation Jubilee slogan cancel of '23NOV/1951'. Superb. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$300
Currently Opening at...AU$230.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 233 |
|
 1951 philatelic airmail cover London with makeshift 'R COCOS/0044' label, very fine undated 'Per RMS ORION' & superb boxed 'TIN CAN
MAIL/COCOS-KEELING IS' cachets both in violet, Australian 8½d Aborigine x4 unusually tied by 'ST GEORGES TERRACE/23NO51/...' cds with blue/white R label below, peripheral pinholes indicate that an Avis de Réception card had been affixed to the
reverse. The rate was airmail 1/6d + registration 9d + AR 6d = 2/9d, with 1d convenience overpayment. Because there was no formal post office, the R label had no validity. However, because the correct postage - 1/6d + 6d registration - was paid, they
were treated as registered mail. From the last regular Tin Can Mail from Cocos. Colin Riddell's unregistered cover to Australia sold for $400.
(Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$600
Currently Opening at...AU$460.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
1951 Survey Flight
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
Estimate in AU$'s |
| 234 |
|
 1951 (March 28) philatelic surface cover from Melbourne to "ER Leigh-Parkin/Cable & Wireless Ltd (for Cocos)/..." with typed
'QANTAS/SURVEY FLIGHT/CATALINA/VH-EBA/DARWIN-COCOS/VIA DJAKARTA' on the reverse & superb strike of the second 'C&W LTD/30MAY1951/COCOS' arrival backstamp, opened-out for display. Being aware of the upcoming Survey Flight, Singapore's Director of
Posts forwarded mails being held for Cocos to Darwin to connect with the Survey Flight. Colin Riddell's three commercial/social covers sold for an average of $1590 (Sale 233 Lots 2454 2457 & 2458). (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$800
Currently Opening at...AU$600.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 235 |
|
 1951 (June 12) Leigh-Parkin cover to Devon with huge 'COCOS/SYDNEY' "lightning bolt" cachet & small makeshift ' R COCOS/0014'
label, typed 'PER QANTAS/CATALINA/VH-EBA' label tied to the reverse by superb strike of the second 'C&W LTD/11JUN1951/COCOS' cds, Australian 2/- Aboriginal Art tied by 'GPO SYDNEY/ AIR /20JE51/ 7 / NSW-AUST' cds, 'REGISTERED/2JU51/TORQUAY, DEVON'
arrival backstamp, minor blemishes. Because there was no formal post office, the R label had no validity. However, because the correct postage - 1/6d + 6d registration - was paid, they were treated as registered mail. Only eight registered covers
were carried on the return flight. Kim Dwyer's - label '0019' - and Colin Riddell's - label '0015' - sold for $3450 (Sale 122 Lot 1002) and $3420 (Sale 233 Lot 2462) respectively. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$2,000
Currently Opening at...AU$1,500.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
RAAF Post Office 1951 to 1954
| LotNo. |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
Estimate in AU$'s |
| 236 |
|
 1952 (Jan 1; New Year's Day) Arthur Bergen 'INAUGURAL FLIGHT/Courier Service/...' cover carried per Qantas with superb 'RAAF
PO/1JA52/COCOS ISLAND' cds and very fine 'BRIGHTON/7JA52/S.A' arrival backstamp, minor blemishes. Collas & Hill state at page 26 that the first of these flights departed Cocos 2.2.1952. That is correct but the datestamps prove that this cover was
carried on the so-called 'Mercy Flight' per 'Lincoln' bomber, that departed Cocos 3.1.1952. Colin Riddell stated that only four covers were carried. His philatelic cover sold for $2475; his cover to Tattersalls sold for $8850 (Sale 233 Lots 2464 &
2465). (Image1)
(Image2)
|
Estimate AU$750
Currently Opening at...AU$575.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 237 |
|
 1952 (Jan 1) Bibby Line cover with "2ACS/Cocos Island" endorsed on the flap, to Tattersalls in Melbourne with 4d Koala tied by
'RAAF PO/1JA52/COCOS ISLAND' cds (ERD), 'RAAF/SERVICE' handstamp in violet, light horizontal fold at the base. Only four covers were carried on what was the first mail from the RAAF PO: the first official mail was dated 31JA52. Ex Colin Riddell: sold
for $8850 - that is not a typographical error (Sale 233 Lot 2465) (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$2,500
Currently Opening at...AU$1,900.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 238 |
|
 1952 (Jan 3) cover endorsed "Per RAAF mercy flight..." to Department of Civil Aviation in Perth with KGVI 3½d tied by 'RAAF
PO/3JA52/COCOS ISLAND' cds, repaired flap, AAMC #1288c. Ex Kim Dwyer - sold for $920 (Sale 122 Lot 1017) - and Colin Riddell: sold for $2475 (Sale 233 Lot 2464).
On 1.1.1952, an airman suffered a fractured skull when struck by the winch handle of a landing barge. A 'Lincoln' bomber was sent from RAAF Pearce (WA) to airlift him to the mainland. Only four covers were carried on what was the first mail from the
RAAF PO: the first official mail was dated 31JA52. The Dwyer sale was in 2006. This flight was first listed in the 2008 edition of the AAMC, inexplicably priced at one-third what this cover had sold for in 2006, and one-eighth of the 2019 result. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$1,500
Currently Opening at...AU$1,150.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 239 |
|
 1952 (Jan 31) Arthur Bergen 'INAUGURAL FLIGHT/Courier Service/...' cover carried per Qantas with superb 'RAAF PO/31JA52/COCOS
ISLAND' cds & very fine 'BRIGHTON/5FE52/SOUTH-AUST' arrival cds on the face, similar cover dated '26FE52' and plain cover dated '1MR52'. Collas & Hill state at page 26 that there were 16 of these twice-monthly flights, the first departed Cocos
2.2.1952 and the last of them on 14.8.1952.
(3) (Image1) (Image2)
(Image3)
(Image4)
|
Estimate AU$300
Currently Opening at...AU$230.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
| 240 |
|
 1952 (Jan 31) illustrated cover endorsed "Special First Flight/Australia-Cocos Island' with KGVI 7½d pair tied by ' 3 AIR MAIL 3
/31JA52/SYDNEY NSW' cds & 'RAAFPO/19FE52/COCOS ISLAND' cds for the return flight, minor blemishes. Collas & Hill state at page 26 that Qantas undertook 16 fortnightly flights to bring supplies & mail to the service personnel on Cocos. This was
carried on the first such flight from Sydney, and returned on the second flight from Cocos. (Image1) (Image2)
|
Estimate AU$250
Currently Opening at...AU$190.00
Closing..Nov-16, 07:30 PM |
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