1927 Pflum hand-illustrated cover to United States with rare albeit philatelic combination franking of Huts 1d & 2d tied by 'RABAUL' cds, plus United States 8c green & 16c indigo Airs tied by San Francisco duplex. [Prepayment of the US internal airmail fee of 8c per zone was permitted from 1924. Pflum pre-serviced his covers with the stamps of both countries & examples from Australia & Papua are known with the American stamps cancelled at the point of posting]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$350

1928 (June 28) Wau-Lae ACSC #P12a endorsed "By Air" franked with Huts 3d with typed 'AIR MAIL' & pre-cancelled with 'EDIE CREEK' cds, tied by 'GUINEA AIRWAYS LTD/WAU' h/s & signed in pencil by the co-pilot "AS Cross", faint vertical fold, Cat $2000. A key rarity: only 2 covers flown. Ex Alan Grey. [Carried by horse/mule Edie Creek- Wau and onwards per Junkers J34. Tom Frommer's example sold at our auction of 4.4.2017 for $3360] Interestingly, it is clear that the stamp was cancelled before being affixed. We're also confident that this cover, being addressed to the Health Department at Salamaua, is a commercial item!

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$1,000

1933 (Jan 21) Bena Bena-Wau-Lae-Salamaua #P54 endorsed "Per Aerial Mail/ex Upper Purari River/..." signed by the pilot "Ray Parer", Undated Airs 1d pair & 3d cancelled in transit at Wau, Salamaua transit & Madang arrival b/s, Cat $1750. Only 8 covers flown. [Bena Bena Aerodrome had just been constructed & there were no postal facilities]

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$500

1933 (Jan 26) Bena Bena-Wau-Lae-Salamaua #P55 endorsed "Per Aerial Mail/ex Bena Bena Drome/..." signed "HE Woodman/Asst Warden", Undated Airs 1d pair & 2d cancelled in transit at Lae, Salamaua arrival b/s, Cat $1500. Only 10 covers flown.

Grade A (Image1)

Estimate AU$450

1934 (Apr 12) First Land Plane Solo Flight to Australia #P69a dated "19/3/34" with Undated Birds 3d & Airs ½d - perf faults - tied by typewritten 'FROM LAE PER WIDGEON VH-UGI/PILOT ("SMarshall")', 'CONCORD WEST/16AP34/ =NSW=' arrival b/s, minor blemishes, Cat $300++. [The typewritten cancellation is most unusual. The plane departed Wau 19.3.1934 but mechanical problems delayed the flight from Port Moresby until 12.4.1934. The AAMC states that about 100 covers were carried but most of these are from Papua. Only 3 or 4 were carried from New Guinea]

Grade A- (Image1)

Estimate AU$450