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Auction: 19015 - The Philatelic Collectors' Series Sale
Lot: 2054

(x) South Africa
1920 (Feb.-Mar.) Col. Van Ryneveld and Fl. Lt. Brand First Flight into South Africa
1920 (29 Feb.) Rhodesia 1d. red envelope, uprated with Admiral ½d., from Abercorn, complete with letter from Brian Cook of the Middle East Brigade Survey Party to his mother in Johannesburg "Per kind favour of Col. Van Ryneveld. Flying "Silver Queen" Cairo-Cape", signed at left by both pilots, twice neatly cancelled with double-ring datestamps and with Johannesburg arrival datestamp (19.3) below; the letter with a P.S. saying "Machine arrived here yesterday & leaving this morning". A hugely important and outstanding item from this epic flight, being the earliest recorded item of mail flown into South Africa. Photo

Note: The story of this epic flight is remarkable. Mishaps dogged the flight southwards. A radiator ran dry in flight necessitating a forced landing in Korosko, Sudan with the aircraft damaged beyond repair. The two engines were salvaged and fitted to a second Vickers Vimy, "Silver Queen II", which was totally wrecked on 6 March when it crashed after take off from Bulawayo. The South African Government then provided a DH19 aircraft "Voorterkker" for completion of the journey. The intrepid airmen made 21 intermediate stops and spent 109½ hours in the air. For their gallant efforts they were both knighted by King George V. For a more full account of the flight see article by the owner in "Air Mail News", March 1988, a copy of which accompanies the lot

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Sold for
£4,000