Early Air Mail
New Zealand Newspaper:
Pacific cruise of the JEANNE D'ARC.
26 March 1930
Partly Air Mail: A stampless cover (for the New Hebrides and onto SF) to the US. Postal Service
(O.C.S.), the U.S: 5c Air Mail stamp prepaying the internal San Francisco - New York
flight. There was no rule saying who was responsable to cancel the stamp.
("CSO" collection)
20 August 1931
Air mail letter from S.S LE MAIRE to PARIS. The 50c. NH stamp tied by SS LE MAIRE handstamp in violet paid the colonial surface rate.
The 3 Nederl.Indie stamps 12 1/2 , 12 1/2 and 5 cent : 0,30 gulden for the air surcharge tied by SS LE MAIRE handstamp in violet.
On front of the cover a blue label PER LUCHTPOST / PAR AVION and the postmark SOERABAJA 20.8.31 in transit.
On back the Paris arrival mark PARIS-X QUAI DE VALMY 11.IX 1931 : travel time 22 days. ("SeSi" coll.)
Paris 11.9.31
Timetable of the "Le Maire"
23 April 1934
Registered Air Mail letter from Vila to Bulle, Switzerland. The three British stamps (½d, 2½d and 2/-) are cancelled with GK type PM9A.
The sender wanted that the cover took the route Sydney - Karachi - London. Registration cachet GK type NR9. The reverse says: Registered Sydney 7 MY 34, Registered Perth 14 MAY 34,
AMB LECCE - Brindisi 2.6.34, AMB Milano - Chiasso 3.6.34 and Bulle 4.6.34. So this cover needed about six weeks, not so fast but it was in 1934. (Klinger coll.)
AMB = Ufficio Ambulante : Travelling Post Office, here a railway post office I suppose.
23 April 1934
23 April 1934
23 April 1934
Registered Air Mail letter from Vila to Bulle, Switzerland. The three French 1925 stamps and the 50 1924 overprint
are cancelled with GK type PM9A. Routed via Sydney, Perth, Karachi, London, Brindisi & Milan to Bulle.
Registration cachet GK type NR9. (seen in an old dealer's offer)
23 April 1934
(new 2/2020)
Registered Air Mail letter from Vila to Bulle, Switzerland. The three French 1925 stamps and the two 1924 overprints
are cancelled with GK type PM9A. Routed via Sydney (7 May) , Perth (14 May), Lecche Brindisi (2 June) Milan (3 June) to Bulle (4 June).
Registration cachet GK type NR9. Image thanks to Lugdunum Philatelie)
23 April 1934
(new 2/2020)
reverse
23 January 1935
Registered Air Mail cover to Bulle (Switzerland) with 20c, 20c, 40c and 50c French 1911 stamps and 5/- and 2/- 1925
British stamps cancelled with GK type PM9A, registration label GK type NR9.
Backstamped Sydney Registered 14 FE 1935, Geneve Poste Aerienne Suisse 5. III. 35 and Bulle 5. III. 35. (Klinger coll.)
23 January 1935
23 January 1935
23 January 1935
Registered Air Mail cover to Bulle (Switzerland) with 10c, 75c and 2f French 1911 stamps, 5c and 10c French 1920 provisionals and
and a 5/- 1925 British stamp, all cancelled with GK type PM9A, registration label GK type NR9.
Backstamped Sydney Registered 14 FE 1935, Geneve Poste Aerienne Suisse 5. III. 35 and Bulle 5. III. 35. (Klinger coll.)
23 January 1935
23 January 1935
22 May 1935
(new Feb 2018)
Air Mail cover to Mr. & Mrs. Frantz van den Broek d'Obrenan at Château du Plessis-Fotia, St-Amand-de-Vendôme, Loir et Cher, France.
The franking with a total of 13F 25c or 11/½d. (French and English 1925 issue) cancelled with PM7B.
The Air Mail rates in the mid 1930s are very unsure. To our knowledge this cover should have been franked with 1/9d (2F10c) air letter rate per ½oz from Sydney and
5d (50c) up to 20g colonial letter rate from Vila. Assumuming a weight of 2½ (71g) oz the rate would have been 1F (10d) colonial letter rate and 10F 50c (8/9d)
Sydney air latter rate = 11F 50c (9/7d) - but this doesn't work as there were local exchange rates F/sh. too.
The cover is backstamped PARIS R.P. AVION 8 VII 1935 and ST AMAND DE VENDOME 9 - 7 35 - a travel time of 48 days and such slower as a ship connection.
The only ship in question for this cover is BURNS Philp's MORINDA which left Sydney on 9 May 35 but left Vila again for Sydney on 20 May. The cover has no SYDNEY AIR MAIL postmark.
So I give up at the moment. (Klinger coll.)
22 May 1935
22 May 1935 reverse
The adressees of this cover at left were possibly Frantz van den Broek d'Obrenan and his wife Anna. There are sources on the internet which say that
both were active in the French Résistance and were
killed in a German "Konzentrationslager".
23 May 1935
Air mail coverfront to Paris. Total franking 10F60c.
The French 5F(2) and British 6d. stamps tied by PCH type 9B.
("SeSi" collection)
24 June 1935
Air mail letter to Le Val des Escaliers (Haute Marne) France. Total franking
5F05c.The British 2/-(2) and French 5c. tied by PCH type 9B. Mirror Paris cancel
on front.Backstamped AIR MAIL-3-SYDNEY 1 JY 35 . machine cancel PARIS RP
AVION 15 VII 1935 GAGNEZ DU TEMPS REPONDEZ PAR AVION in transit and
CHAUMONT 16-7-35 in arrival. ("SeSi" collection)
24 June 1935
24 June 1935
1 July 1935
Air mail letter to the arms, ammo and bikes factory at St. Étienne.
The 5/- stamp cncelled with PCH type 10A. Backstamped machine cncel PARIS R.P. AVION 29 VII 1935
GAGNEZ DU TEMPS REPONDEZ PAR AVION in transit and St. Étienne 30VII35.
(Klinger collection)
14 August 1935
Air mail letter to Paris readdressed to Vichy (Allier) France.
1925 French 1Fr, 2Fr and 30c. stamps tied by PCH type 15A.
Backstamped AIR MAIL-3- SYDNEY 21 AU 35 in transit and machine
cancel PARIS RP AVION 10h 9 IX 1935 GAGNEZ DU TEMPS
REPONDEZ PAR AVION and PARIS VII 15h 9 IX 1935 VISITEZ MUSEE
COGNACQ-JAY 25 Bd CAPUCINES on arrival.
Addressee Monsieur Tixier Directeur du Contrôle Ministère des Colonies
who was on holiday to take the waters in Vichy. It's a hard job in a
ministry! ("SeSi" collection)
14 August 1935
14 August 1935
24 September 1935
Commercial air mail cover to Magasins du bon marché Paris. Total 3F30c.
British 2/- and French 50c. and 30c. tied by PCH type 9B.
Backstamped Sydney 2 OC 35 in transit and Paris RP avion 21 X 1935
on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
29 February 1936
Registered Air Mail cover to London via Sydney/Singapore with 1925 French issues
10c, 1F(2), 5F tied with PCH type 10 and registration label PCH type R11.
Backstamped Sydney (10 March 1936). (Ruecker coll.)
29 February 1936
29 February 1936
16 April 1936
Registered "Desestre" Air Mail cover to France, franked 3/-, ½d and 1f, cancelled with Type 11. Image thanks to Soler y Llach, Spain
27 May 1936
(new 9/2019)
Registered Air Mail cover to France cancelled with Type 11. Image thanks to Soler y Llach, Spain
27 May 1936
backstamp
18 July 1936
Air Mail cover to France: 1F registration fee and 50c postage leave 3.50F for
the Air Mail additional charge. Cancelled with PCH type 87,
the PCH type R14 registration label is altered by manuscript to S.S. Laperouse,
this being the name of the interisland ship at the time. Backstamped Sydney 28 July 1936.
("Aore" coll.)
28 September 1936
Air mail cover from Vila to Moulins/Allier France franked mixed English/French
3F50 tied by PM7C. Overpaid 0F80 : ship rate to Sydney 0F50 and air rate to Paris with Imperial Airways 2F10.
Backstamped SYDNEY - 4 - AIRMAIL 6 OC 36 ,PARIS RP AVION 21 X 1936 with slogan GAGNEZ DU TEMPS / REPONDEZ / PAR AVION in transit and
MOULINS/ALLIER RP 21 X 36 with slogan DIG! DIN! DON! / SONNENT A MOULINS / LES 4 JACQUEMARTS in arrival . Travel time : 23 days. ("SeSi coll.)
28 Septemberr 1936
17 December 1936
Air Mail cover to France franked mixed English/French 8.75F. To Sydney with a ship and then with Imperial Airways. (Millet coll.)
17 December 1936
Crash Mail: Flying Boat accident in Crete
3 August 1936
Registered Air Mail cover to Paris, the French 1f and the British 5/- stamps cancelled with PCH type 10, registration handstamp PCH type R8.
Backstamped Sydney Registered 11 AU 36 and Paris 27.8.36. The cover is handstamped on front "AVION ACCIDENTÉ" (airplane accident)
as it was transported with the Imperial Airways Ltd. Short S.17 Kent flying boat "Scipio" (G-ABFA) which flipped over on 22 August 1936 in Mirabella harbour, Crete,
the two pilots killed. Part of the mail was salvaged and five days later this cover (one of the few still with stamps) was distributed in Paris already.
(Millet collection)
P.S.: who ever soaked the 1910 to 1925 New Hebrides stamps knows why the stamps are still on cover!
3 August 1936
reverse
3 August 1936
Registered Air Mail cover to Paris, the mixed 4.45F stamps cancelled with PCH type 10, registration label PCH type R11.
This cover had the same fate as the one at left. (seen in an old dealer's offer)
3 August 1936
Registered air mail letter to "Monsieur le Gouverneur Général Olivier,
Président de la Cie Gale Transatlantique" PARIS.
The French 5F, 2F and 10c stamps cancelled with PM7B, registration label NR10B. Backstamped SYDNEY REGISTERED 11AU36 and PARIS IX
DISTRIBUTION 27-8 36 on arrival.
The cover is handstamped on front "AVION ACCIDENTE": crash of the flying boat "SCIPIO" on 22 august 1936 in Mirabella harbor CRETE.
This cover was salvaged with few others and was distributed 5 days later in Paris, where the letter was registered again under the N°3260 with official pink registration
tape over the PARIS IX cachet (due to the addressee?). ("SeSi" coll.)
3 August 1936
reverse
Scipio
Imperial Airways Ltd. Short S.17 Kent flying boat "Scipio" (G-ABFA) which flipped over on 22 August 1936 in Mirabella harbour, Crete,
the two pilots killed. (plane image thanks to youtube bomberguy channel)
Scipio in Crete
Imperial Airways Ltd. Short S.17 Kent flying boat "Scipio" (G-ABFA) sinking on 22 August 1936 in Mirabella harbour, Crete.
(Image thanks to www.in-crete.110mb.com )
5 February 1937
Air Mail to France with a total franking of 4F40c. Image thanks to Argyll Etkin
9 March 1937
Air France registered cover to Ky Lua Tonkin . British 2/- stamp tied by PCH
type 11.The French registration handstamp is PCH type R 8 .
Backstamped HAI-PHONG 21-4-37 in transit and LANG-SON 22-4-37 on arrival.
("Sesi" collection).
9 March 1937
9 March 1937
16 March 1937
"Desestre" Air Mail to France with a total franking of 5/- + 2½d + 2Fr. Image thanks to Soler y Llach, Spain
30 April 1937
(new 10/2021)
Another "Desestre" Air Mail to France with a total franking of 5/- + 3 10d. Image thanks to David Morrison
24 May 1937
Air Mail cover to France mixed franking 4.60F (3/10). It was sent by Marcel Destombes (1905-1983) long-distance captain for the Messageries Maritimes.
To Sydney with a ship and then with Imperial Airways. The "Ville de Strasbourg" departed from Vila on 24 May to Tahiti. (coll. Fred Petit)
reverse: Roubaix Nord 23 VI 1937
Text
Text page 1
Text
Text page 1
Marcel Paul Xavier Destombes (20 July 1905 - 16 November 1983) entered the reserve officers' school in 1924 and was assigned to the torpedo squadron Marocain (1926) during a campaign on the Rif coast.
A lieutenant in the Messageries maritimes in 1927, he became a long-distance captain in 1929, and was in Indochina in 1940 as second officer on the d'Artagnan.
Refusing to sail for the Japanese, he signed up as head of the printing department at the Extrême-Orient printing works in Hanoi. As a member of the North Tonkin
intelligence network, he provided information to the Americans which earned him praise from the commander of the 14th army based in China. Taken prisoner by the
Japanese in 1945, he was tortured but did not give up his network. After the war, he became a civil servant at UNESCO and specialised in the study of ancient
cartography. His scientific publications earned him membership of several learned societies, including the Académie de Marine as a correspondent. ----
The addresse Jean Paul Destombes was his brother (1904-1974) --- Source: Archives of the French Navy and Geneanet.
28 May 1937
Air Mail cover to France franked English 8.75F. To Sydney with a ship and then with Imperial Airways. (Millet coll.)
reverse
9 June 1937
(new 9 Oct 2017)
1925 issue mixed 4F25c gold on a cover to France cancelled with GK Type PM7C. The cover went by air as there is a received stamp on top
by the Louvre magazins 1 Juil 1937.
Image thanks to Gaertner auctions
10 August 1937
Registered Air Mail letter to France. A British 1925 1/- stamp and two French
2F and 5F stamps add to a postage of 8F 25c or Sterling 6/8d. They are cancelled
with PCH type 9B, registration handstamp is PCH type R8. Backstamped Sydney
26 August 1937 (arrival of the PIERRE LOTI in Sydney) and St. Severs s/L'Adour on 9 September 1937, so it took the letter 30 days
to it's destination. ("JGI" coll.).
30 August 1937
(new 9/2019)
Registered Air Mail letter to France. 12f50c cancelled PM7B.
30 August 1937
(new 9/2019)
reverse
3 November 1937
Air mail coverfront to Paris. The 1925 French 1F and 5F stamps tied by PCH
type 15A. ("SeSi" collection)
10 November 1937
Air Mail cover to Reims. 6F50c on front cancelled with GK type PM7A and another 6F on reverse uncancelled.
Backstamped REIMS PRINCIPAL 9 XII 37.
10 November 1937
10 November 1937
9 February 1938
A Frouin registered air mail cover to the ex-New Hebrides official Gaston Jeanson (retired in 1999938) in Clérey-sur-Seine.
The 3 x 6F25c stamp canceled with GK tyoe PM7A. Backstampe Sydney 19FE3(8) and Clerey 8-3-38.
9 February 1938
9 February 1938
15 February 1938
Registered letter to Paris. The 1925 mixed 13F70c in old currency relate to just a bit less than
2Fg30cg in gold Fransc. (Seen in a 2009 www.roumet-hp.fr -Roumet Histoire Postale- auction)
15 February 1938
15 February 1938
21 March 1938 J.d'Arc
Air mail letter from CROISEUR JEANNE D'ARC in Port-Vila to
Nantua (Ain) France. Written on board on March 20th 1938
by R. Pillet Second Maître. The 1925 French 40c., 1F, 2F, 5F
stamps tied by PCH type 9B VILA 21 MR 38. Backstamped Nantua 22-4-38.
("SeSi" collection).
9 February 1938 - Jeanne d'Arc
1938 Jeanne d'Arc
Photo taken during the visit of the French cruiser Jeanne d'Arc in Vila. ("SeSi" coll.).
1938 Jeanne d'Arc
Photo taken during the visit of the French cruiser Jeanne d'Arc in Vila. ("SeSi" coll.).
31 March 1938
Air Mail letter to France. A British 1925 5/- stamp and a French
1F stamps add to a postage of 7F 25c or Sterling 5/10d. They are cancelled
with PCH type 9B. Backstamped Pordic on 21 April 1938, that's 22 days
to destiny. ("JGI" coll.).
8 June 1938
(new 7/2020)
Air mail cover from Vila to Goslar, Germany. The envelope is an official KPM cover of the steamer Maetsuyker from Netherlands.
Sender and addressee were mining specialists. Franked with the very new 1938 issue 2,70 Fg. Non-colonial letter rate was 30cg for the first 30g
and 20cg for each 20g more. Air mail from Australia to Europe was about 87cg for the first ½, oz and about 80cg for each ½ oz more.
The cover may be franked correctly. German customs label on reverse. Seen in an old Prestige, Australia auction.
8 June 1938
8 June 1938 reverse
30 June 1938
Air mail cover from Vila to Paris France (Publications François Tedesco).
Early use of the new definitive issue (month of issue), the British 1Fr.gold and 30c.gold stamps
tied by PCH type 9B. Backstamped Paris VII 18 VII 1938 machine cancel in arrival (18 days).
("SeSi" coll.)
30 June 1938
30 June 1938
1 July 1938
Air mail mourning letter from Capitaine Peythieux to (his parents?) Valence.
The British 1F and 30x stamps cancelled with PCH type 9B.
(seen in an old dealer's offer)
16 August 1938
Registered air mail cover to Valence (Drôme) France.The British 1F and 50c. gold
tied by PCH type 15A. The French registration handstamp is PCH type R8. Backstamped
SYDNEY AIR 7 24 AU 38 in transit and VALENCE 5-9-38 on arrival. The sender is
A.E Peythieux S.Capitaine on board Polynésien. Travel-time 20 days.
("SeSi" collection)
16 August 1938
16 August 1938
24 August 1938
Registered air mail cover to France. Mixed postage 1F30c or cancelled with Types 10 and 11. (seen in an auction)
7 September 1938
(new 4 March 2018)
Air Mail cover to France, 2F70cg cancelled with PM7A (very late use!), reg. cachet NR9. (Clemens Albert coll.)
28 October 1938
1.50 gf airmail rate to France with VILA cds PCH type 9B. Note that the cds shows date as 28OC27. Cover inscribed on reverse: Expéditeur A E Peythieux,
s/capitaine n/n Polynésien, Pt. Vila. Backstamped on transil Sydney Air 10 NO 38 (14 days), Valence 22 11 38 (12 days). ("JGI" coll.)
Note: le capitaine did not trust this air service as he sent a 30c cover the same day (with the same wrong date on the cds). Please see 1938 British uncensored.
28 October 1938
(new 6/18)
1938 INTER_ISLAND SERVICE cds (GK type PM10) on Airmail letter to France: 1,50 Franc Gold paid the 10cg colonial
letter rate, 20cg colonial registration fee and 1F20cg air mail surcharge.
The cover is cancelled with PM7B in Vila on 2? OC 38, Sydney Air 10 NO 38 and on arrival in Valence on 22-11-38.
(seen on an internet auction)
This cover seems to proof that PM10 was held on board the POLYNESIEN in late 1938.
28 October 1938
(new 6/18)
revers
10 December 1938
Maybe the settlers wife needed some stilettos very urgently after the neighbours wife
got some a year earlier (see letter from 10 Nov 37 above). Why would one spend so much
money on a letter?
Commercial registred air mail cover to Au bon marché Paris.
The British 2/-(2) and French 5F(2) - total 15F- stamps tied by PCH type
15A. The registration handstamp is PCH type R8.
Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 18 DE 38 in transit. ("SeSi" collection)
5 January 1939
Registered letter to Valence, France. The 1938 French 1gF and 50gc stamps are tied with
PCH type 9, the registration label is PCH type R11. The sender is given on the reverse:
"A.E. Peythieux, Capitaine au long cours, M/V Polynesien". Backstamped Sydney Air
21. December 1938 and on arrival Valence sur Rhone / Drome 1.1.39 (they took it
casually with the adjustment of the cancels in Vila). (Yeomans coll.)
The Messageries Maritimes company bought a mixed-cargo boat in 12/1937 called MYGRETA
ex YUNG PING and named it POLYNESIEN. She replaced the old BUCEPHALE on the
New Caledonia - New Hebrides line and was used until 1940, then taken off by
the France Libre Naval Force. She has been used again on the New-Hebrides lines from 1946 to 1955 when the POLYNESIE
was launched. - Information thanks to Philippe Ramona.
5 January 1939
16 August 1938
19 January 1939
(mew 3/2020)
Registered air mail cover to Reims, France. 1,50F stamps cancelled with PM7B. Colonial letter rate was 10cg, reg.-fee 20cg and
air surcharge for France 1/9d - about 87cg. so the cover may be overpaid 30cg but who knows.....
Backstamped Sydney Air 27 January 1939 and Reims 7 February 1939. The cover traveled 19 days. (Klinger collection)
19 January 1939
(mew 3/2020)
reverse
19 January 1939
Air mail cover to Besançon (Doubs) France.The 30c. and 1F or stamps
tied by PCH type 9B with PCH type 12 aside. Backstamped Besançon
RP 7.II.1939 on arrival. The cover traveled 19 days. ("SeSi" collection)
19 January 1939
Registered air letter from a French Company in the Banks Islands to France. The
British 1 Fg and 30 cg stamps are cancelled with PCH type 10. (Merot coll.)
24 February 1939
Registered letter to Valence, France. The 1938 British 1gF and 50gc stamps are tied with
PCH type 11, the registration label is PCH type R11. The sender is given on the reverse:
"A. E. Peythieux, Capitaine au long cours, M/V Polynesien". Backstamped Sydney Air
9. March 1939 and on arrival Valence sur Rhone / Drome 21.3.39. (Klinger coll.)
24 February 1939
24 February 1939
1 March 1939
Registered Air Mail cover to France, the 1938 French 20cg and British 40cg and 50cg stamps
are cancelled with PCH type 11. "VILLA" Registration handstamp PCH type R8.
Backstamped Sydney AIR 9 MR 39 and Aix en Provence, date illegible. (Klinger coll.)
5 April 1939
Registered air mail letter from Port-Vila to Paris. The 1gF and 10gc stamps tied by a nice PM11A. The registration label is NR10C.
Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 NSW-AUST 21 AP 39. The cover was carried to Sydney by the Burns Philp steamer MORINDA.
1gF10gc paid the registration air mail rate : 10gc (colonial letter rate), 20gc (registration fee) and 80gc (air mail from Australia to France). ("SeSi" coll.)
5 April 1939
Backstamp
30 April 1939
Registered Air Mail letter to Paris. The 1938 French 1gF, 40gc and 30gc stamps are tied with
what seems to be PCH type 9B, the registration label is PCH type R11. Sender seemed to be a member
of the French Residency in Vila. Backstamped Sydney Air 21. April 1939 and on arrival
two times Paris 1 May 1939. (Ruecker coll.)
30 April 1939
30 April 1939
26 May 1939
Air mail cover to Paris XV France. Total franking 90 gc tied with
type PM7C: 10 gc colonial letter rate plus 80 gc (up to 5g) air surcharge to France.
It is the earliest date seen for the reduced air surcharge to France.
Reported 1gf 20gc up to June 39, then 80gc from July 39 to December 1940. ("SeSi" coll.)
8 June 1939
(new 6/18)
Registered Air Mail letter from Monsieur Peythieux (the captain of POLYNÉSIEN) to Paris. The 1938 British/French
1F and 10c stamps are cancelled with GK type PM11A. Backstamped Sydney air 21 JE 39 and Valence 1.7.39.(seen on an internet auction)
8 June 1939
8 June 1939
29 July 1939
Air Mail cover to France with a total of 90c French stamps cancelled with GK type PM14 (PIERRE LOTI), another strike alongside. No backstamps.
Image thanks to Gaertner auctions
1 August 1939
Registered Air Mail letter from Monsieur Peythieux (the captain of POLYNÉSIEN) to Paris. The 1938 British
1F and 10c stamps are cancelled with PCH type 12, registration label PCH type R 11. ("JGI" coll.)
The remark "en instance à la poste jusqu'à nouvel ordre / le facteur / V.18" means that the
postman, against order, took care that the letter was NOT sent back to the sender as he knew that it will
take more time until Mrs. Peythieux's arrival from the New Hebrides. (Thanks "SeSi")
1 August 1939
1 August 1939
1 September 1939
Registered Air Mail letter from Monsieur Peythieux (the captain of POLYNÉSIEN) to Paris. The 1938 British
1F and 10c stamps are cancelled with PCH type 12, registration label PCH type R 11.
(seen in an old dealer's offer)
15 September 1939
(new 1/2019)
90cg plus New Caledonia 50c to France.
7 October 1939
Air Mail from Port Vila to France, redirected a couple of times. Franked 1F 10c gold and cancelled wit hType 11.
Sydney cancels on reverse. Image thanks to Soler y Llach, Spain
31 October 1939
(new 6/18)
Registered Air Mail letter from Monsieur Peythieux (the captain of POLYNÉSIEN) to Paris. The 1938 French
1F and 80c stamps are cancelled with GK type PM11A. Backstamped Sydney air 19 NO 39, Valence 29-11-39 and manuscript 30.11.39.(seen on an internet auction)
31 October 1939
31 October 1939 reverse
5 December 1939
(new 6/18)
Registered Air Mail letter from Monsieur Peythieux (the captain of POLYNÉSIEN) to Paris. The 1938 English
1F and 10c stamps are cancelled with GK type PM7C. Backstamped Sydney air 19 DE 39 and Valence manuscript 2.1.40.(seen on an internet auction)
5 December 1939
5 December 1939 reverse
23 December 1939
Registered air mail letter to Valence (Drôme) France. The 10c. and 1F or stamps tied by PCH type 12.
The French registration handstamp is PCH type 8. The sender is A. Peythieux C.L.C (Capitaine au long cours)
on board S/S Polynésien. Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 26 JA 40 in transit and VALENCE 7-2-40 on arrival. ("SeSi" collection)
23 December 1939
23 December 1939
26 January 1940
Earliest censored Air Mail and earliest use of this cencor mark & tape at all:
Censored air mail to Switzerland, 1F5cg cancelled with PM7C. Censor cachet on reverse. (ex Millet coll.)
The year is 1940: rectangle and 4 for 40 . Early in 1940 PM7C had the year inverted with solid rectangle and 4 . See the cover
29 January 1940: PM7C 29 JAN 40 (rectangle and 4 for 40) on this page or 19 January 1940 and 9 February 1940 on reverse on page: WWII censored --> cilvil covers.
The brown censor tape with text only in French : "ouvert par la censure - Nouvelles Hebrides. On the tape the circular bilingual cachet PASSED BY CENSOR / PASSE PAR
LA CENSURE New Hebrides Condominium des Nouvelles Hebrides. ("SeSi" coll.)
26 January 1940
Reverse
29 January 1940
Registered letter to Valence, France. The 1938 British 1gF and 5gc stamps are tied with
PCH type 12, the registration label is PCH type R11. The sender is "A. E. Peythieux, CLC
M/V Polynesien" again. Note the year "solid block-4"
rather than "40". Backstamped Sydney Air 7. February 1940 and marked manuscript on arrival
22.2.40. ("JGI" coll.)
5 March 1940
Registered Air Mail envelope to France bearing French 5c and 2 x 50c routed vi Sydney. ("JGI" coll.)
6 March 1940
(new 6/18)
Registered air mail letter to Valence (Drôme) France. The French 2,50 Fg stamps tied by GK PM7D.
The sender is A. Peythieux C.L.C (Capitaine au long cours)
on board S/S Polynésien. Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 16 MR 40 in transit and VALENCE 1-4-40 on arrival.
(seen on an internet auction)
6 March 1940
6 March 1940 reverse
12 March 1940
(new 6/18)
Registered air mail letter to Valence (Drôme) France. The French 1,70 Fg stamps tied by GK PM7D.
The sender is A. Peythieux C.L.C (Capitaine au long cours)
on board S/S Polynésien. Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 23 MR 40 in transit and VALENCE 1-4-40 on arrival.
(seen on an internet auction)
12 March 1940
12 March 1940 reverse
23 April 1940
Censored Air Mail cover from Vila to Paris. The stamps paid the 10cg surface and
the 75cg Air rate to Paris and are cancelled with PCH type 13. New Hebrides censor tape
applied at left and Australian S.90 censor handstamp. ("Aore" coll.)
23 April 1940
(new 15 June 2018)
Censored registered air mail cover from Port-Vila to Valence (Drôme) France.
The 1938 British 1gF and 5gc stamps are tied with GK type PM7D, the registration cachet is type NR9.
On left Australian censor tape OPENED BY CENSOR .. tied by violet mark PASSED BY CENSOR / S.30.
Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 -4MY40A on cover, GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 -7MY40B on censor tape in transit
and VALENCE S/RHONE DROME 20-5 40 in arrival.
The stamps paid the 10gc surface, the 20gc registration and the 75gc air rate to France. ("SeSi" coll.)
reverse
16 May 1940
Registered to France but stopped and returned as 'undeliverable' to Vila. Colonial letter rate to France was 10 cg and the air mail
rate from Australia to France from 1938 to the end of 1940 was 1/9d. Assuming an exchange rate of 1Fg = 2/- this would be 87 cg, colonial registration fee
was 20 cg so the sum is 1F 17cg, 1F 5cg was not on the safe side. Cancelled with Goyns Klinger type PM11B, registration cachet type NR9. Released by censor cachet.
Backstamped 2 x Sydney and 28 OCT 40 Dead Letter Office Sydney, Vila (type PM11A) 25 November 1940 and Noumea 11 December 1940. I can only assume that
the Vila Postmaster knew that the POLYNESIEN was in Noumea and forwarded the returning letter to Noumea. ("Aore" coll.)
16 May 1940
(new 15 June 2018)
Nearly identical: Registered air mail letter to Valence (Drôme) France.
The French 1,05 Fg stamps tied by GK type PM11B.
The registration cachet is type NR9 (letter N°110).
The sender is Monsieur PEYTHIEUX captain of POLYNESIEN.
On front in violet a rectangular cachet UNDELIVERABLE / RETURN TO SENDER and RELEASED BY CENSOR cachet.
Backstamped GPO SYDNEY AIR 7 13JE40 ,GPO SYDNEY RS 25OC40,
DEAD LETTER OFFICE SYDNEY 28 OCT 1940 in red, PORT VILA 25 NOV 40 and NOUMEA 11 DEC 40. ("SeSi" coll.)
5 June 1940
British 1Fg and 5cg stamps on an Air Mail letter to France, cancelled with PCH
type 14. Registration handstamp PCH type R8 - the "VILLA" - type.
Transferred by ship and backstamped Sydney 22 June 1940. Censored there (two red dots)
but somewhere held up en route as it arrived at Valence on 9 September 1940. (ex Jersey coll.)
First air mail connection New Hebrides - New Caledonia October 1940
11 October 1940
A double of the Air Mail letter to Nouméa, New Caledonia. The 1938 French 10gc stamp
is tied with PCH type 12. I found an electronic book by Leslie R. Jubbs on the internet: "RAAF - The Marine Section"
in which is stated: "The war in Europe had just commenced when No.11 RAAF Flying Boat Squadron was
formed and it departed for Port Moresby in September 1939. While there the Squadron carried out
extensive reconnaissance to locate possible future Advance Operation Bases, locations for Coast
Watchers and Communication Networks. Rabaul's A.O.B. was made operational in 1940 followed by
Tulagi, Vila, Noumea and refueling facilities were established at Kavieng, Gizo, Vanikoro and
Lorengau.
Their aircraft comprised of two four engine "C" Class flying boats and two Seagull Mk5
amphibian aircraft."
So these three covers may have been transported with one of these flying boats. (Millet coll.)
11 October 1940
Air Mail letter to Nouméa, New Caledonia. The 1938 French 10gc stamp
is tied with PCH type 12. Backstamped twice Nouméa 11 Oct. 40.("JGI" coll.)
Mr B.C. Ballard was Official Australian Representative in New Caledonia, to Department of External Affairs in 1940.
9 October 1940
9 October 1940
11 October 1940
A third Air Mail letter to Nouméa, New Caledonia. The 1938 French 10gc and 1925 British 60c stamps
are tied with PCH type 12. (unknown coll.)
11 October 1940
Air Mail letter to Nouméa, New Caledonia. First Air Mail Port Vila - Noumea. The 1938 French 10gc stamp
is tied with PCH type 12. Backstamped twice Nouméa 11 Oct. 40.(Klinger coll.)
Mr B.C. Ballard was Official Australian Representative in New Caledonia, to Department of External Affairs in 1940.
9 October 1940
9 October 1940
11 October 1940
Air Mail letter to Nouméa, New Caledonia. First Air Mail Port Vila - Noumea. The 1938 French 10gc stamp
is tied with PCH type 12. Backstamped twice Nouméa 11 Oct. 40.(source unknown)
12 October 1940
An Air Mail letter the other way round: from Nouméa, New Caledonia to Port Vila. Monsieur Ludovic de Gaillande was the Vila postmaster.
(Réf.: Fréd. Petit)
12 October 1940
(new 1/2019)
An Air Mail letter the other way round: from Nouméa, New Caledonia to Port Vila. (seen in an auction in 2000)
First RAAF Qantas Catalina PBY delivery flight (Catalina AH534): Delivery A24-1 from San Diego (26 Jan 1941) , Honolulu (27 - 29 Jan 1943), Canton Island (29 Jan 1941),
Noumea (31 Jan - 2 Feb 1941), Rose Bay Sydney on 2 Feb 1941.
7 January 1941
Censored air letter to Sydney. Mixed 1938 Postage 80c gold cancelled with PCH Type 90.
Backstamped Nouméa 21 Janv 41, Sydney Air 3 FE 41, Sydney GPO R6 4 FE 41 and Starthfield 5 FFE 41. (RW coll.)
7 January 1941
7 January 1941 reverse
21 January 1941
Censored air letter to Iraq. Postage 1F80c gold cancelled with PCH Type 11.
Backstamped Nouméa 21 Janv 41, Sydney Air 3 FE 41, 16 2 Allep, postes aux armées 615 17.2.41
and postes aux armées 607 18.2.41. (Réf.: Fréd Petit)
21 January 1941
21 January 1941
20 December 1940
Censored air mail letter from Vila to Marseille France via the Pan American Trans Pacific Service.
The stamps tied by GK type PM7C VILA 20 DEC 40. Total franking 1For45 : letter 10c , air surcharge 1For35
(exchange rate of 1For to 14F ). On left French censor tape "CONTROLE".
Backstamped NOUMEA 2 JANV 41 in transit, Marseille censor cachet OUVERT PAR LES AUTORITES
DU CONTROLE WK3 anr personal handstamp censor mark R in double ring. ("SeSi" coll.)
20 December 1940
Reverse
17 Februar 1941
Letter carried by Pan American Airways FAM 19 from Noumea to San Francisco and FAM 18 New York to Lisbon. From Lisbon it went surface mail to
Marseille and was backstamped there MARSEILLE GARE BCHE DU RHONE 1 AVRIL 41. The other postmarks on the back are NOUMEA 22 FEV 41 and BRIGNAIS RHONE 2 4 41.
Censored bilingual in the New Hebrides and in Marseille. ("Aore" coll.)
17 Februar 1941 reverse
17 Februar 1941 reverse & Marseille censor cachet
Marseille international censor cachet
25 April 1941
Air Mail to New Zealand franked 35 cg and censored in New Caledonia and cancelled on reverse on 1 May 1941. (ex Millet coll.)
25 April 1941
12 July 1941
Dual censored air letter with PANAM clipper to the Red Cross in Geneva. The British 2gF15gc stamps are
cancelled with PCH type 12. New Hebrides censor handstamp on reverse and New
Caledonian censor tape at left. The letter reached Nouméa by sea and was backstamped
there at 17. July 1941, then went to Geneva via Lisbon (31. July 1941). ("JGI" coll.)
12 July 1941
12 July 1941
18 September 1941
Letter written by Soeur Marie Alexis carried via Noumea to San Francisco, New York and Lisbon like the letters at left. From Lisbon it went surface mail to
Marseille. Backstamped Noumea 29 Sept 1941 and Ste. Foy les Lyon 20.10.41. Weak Marseille international censor cachet on front and reverse.
Several censor strips. (ex Alain Millet coll.)
18 September 1941 reverse
22 September 1941
New Hebrides Official registered clipper airmail to Calif. Sep. 1941.
New Hebrides Official Post Office envelope registered clipper airmail to Californai, 1941.
New Hebrides British 5c, 10c, 15c, 20c, 1fr and 2fr singles postmarked New Hebrides Vila Sep. 22, 1941
and New Hebrides French 5c two singles, 10c single and vertical pair and 15c single and vertical pair
overprinted France Libre postmarked Nouvelles Hebrides Port Vila Sep. 22, 1941. Backstamped with unclear
French cancel Noumea New Caledonia Sep. 29, 1941, Honolulu, Hawaii Registered Oct. 2, 1941, Oakland, Calif.
Registered Oct. 3, 1941 and Oakland, Calif. (Temescal Sta.) Registered Oct. 4, 1941. Handstamped with circular
New Hebrides censorship marking, Passed by Censor, New Hebrides Condominium des Nlles-Hebrides, Passe Par la Censure.
Typed routing, Par Avion RAAF Vila-Noumea, via PanAir Clipper, Noumea/San Francisco.
Image and text thanks to Ebay seller PacPhil in May 2016.
22 September 1941 reverse