1932 (Aug 13) possibly commercial uprated British Postal Card by air & registered also with 'AR'-in-oval to "Cocos & Keeling Island/Strait Settlements/Via Java" with full message, Singapore backstamp of 26AU/1932 proving carriage by air to that point, unclaimed & returned with backstamps of Singapore (21.12.1932) & London (2.2.1933, indicating returned by sea), boxed '.../RETURN TO SENDER' cachet & oval 'REGISTERED/ 2 /2FEB33/RETD LTR SECTION' datestamp both in violet , remarkably with the original Avis de Reception card still affixed with confirming postmarks of London & Singapore, some inevitable but relatively minor creasing.
An extraordinary item: registered postcards are rare & we cannot recall having seen another sent 'AR', let alone with the reply card still attached. In addition, this may be the earliest part-air commercial item recorded to Cocos. Colin Riddell's exceptional collection included no mail from or into Cocos between -.12.1921 & -.4.1933. (Image1)
Estimate AU$1,000
Opening AU$ 750.00
Sold...AU$ 750.00
Closed..Mar-25-2025, 17:30:00 EST
Sold For 750
Sale No: 259
Lot No: 1099
Symbol: C
1933 largely superb strikes of double-ring 'COCOS ISLAND/28DE/1933' cds (Proud D1) on Straits Settlements 2c 4c & 5c (1c missing from upper-left), vertical fold through the 4c & a bit soiled. Extremely rare. Colin Riddell's 12c rate cover to America with only one strike - believed then to be the only recorded cover with D1 - sold at our auction of 3.3.2019 for $35,990. (Image1)
Estimate AU$5,000
Opening AU$ 3,800.00
Sold...AU$ 3,800.00
Closed..Mar-25-2025, 17:30:00 EST
Sold For 3800
Sale No: 259
Lot No: 1100
Symbol: D
PHOTOGRAPHS: 1945 island views originals (220x177mm) including a terrific aerial shot of the surprisingly large Malay settlement & a street view, "The native boat yard", a marvellously animated shot of fishermen with their catch (a huge stingray), airforce (?) camp on West Island, topographicals & birds etc, a couple of smaller prints and portrait of a women (137x175mm) signed "My best wishes/Gracie Fields" (the famous English singer who was probably on Cocos to motivate the troops), a couple - including the last - with minor blemishes otherwise very fine. An excellent historical group.
(21) (Image1)
