Pacific Islands Survey Flight: Sept. - Dec.1926 (AAMC.P2) 25 Sept.1926 Sydney - Lindenhafen, New Guinea, via Daru and Port Moresby with THURSDAY ISLAND 10 OC 26 cds applied in transit: A cover flown by Group Captain Richard Williams on his survey flight from Melbourne to various Pacific Islands in a DH50A seaplane. The intention was to follow the East Coast as far as Thursday Island and then via Papua, New Britain and the Solomon Islands to the New Hebrides and New Caledonia before turning east again for Fiji and Samoa. Engine trouble and sickness at Honiara caused the crew of Williams, McIntyre and Trist to fly no further than Tulagi in the Solomons and they returned to Melbourne, via Papua. This was one of the most adventurous survey flights undertaken up to that date. Of the 50 covers carried only a few survive. Flown mail was classed as official, but the general public was unable to forward mail. Accompanying the cover are several contemporary photographs including one showing the arrival at Lindenhafen. [NB: The Nelson Eustis covers from this flight sold in our March 2008 auction of his gold medal collection, for $19,000 and $23,000 hammer prices.]

(1 cvr + 5 photos)

Provenance: Ray Kelly, Alan Grey

Estimate AU$15,000-20,000
Min. Bid. A

21 July 1930 (AAMC P20) Port Moresby - Salamaua - Wau flown cover, carried by Ray Parer for Morlae Airline Ltd, with PORT MORESBY despatch cds and SALAMAU arrival cds.

Estimate AU$100-150
Min. Bid. AU$80

30 Aug.1935 (AAMC.87) Ioma - Port Moresby first flight cover signed by pilot Orme Denny [54 flown]. Cat.$225.

Estimate AU$120-150
Min. Bid. AU$100