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Auction: 19015 - The Philatelic Collectors' Series Sale
Lot: 2055

(x) South Africa
1920 (Feb.-Mar.) Col. Van Ryneveld and Fl. Lt. Brand First Flight into South Africa
1920 (19 Mar.) envelope and letter written on Grey University stationery from Bloemfontein to Stellenbosch, the letter commencing "Col. Ryneveld made a beautiful landing here at about 9.20 this morning having covered the distance in 2½ hours. He had a great reception..... His parents whom he hadn't seen for 8½ years were there to meet him. The Council and Senate are lunching with him", the envelope endorsed "Carried by Aeroplane courtesy of Col. van Ryneveld" and handed to him for onward transmission to Cape Town, the envelope signed by both pilots and upon arrival in Cape Town having 1d. red added and cancelled by Union Loans Certificates machine datestamp and sent on to Stellenbosch. Unique, being the only local letter recorded as having been carried by this intrepid airman; also a piece of paper with flight details signed by Flt. Sgt. E.F. Newman and W.F. Sharratt, both of whom were also on the flight and a contemporary photograph of Van Ryneveld and Brand standing beside their aircraft after arrival in Cape Town. A remarkable group. Photo

provenance:
Jeidel, June 1988

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Sold for
£700