9 July 1945
Cover with 50c French and 30c/50c British issue from the New Hebrides to
Los Angeles, stamps tied with PCH type 12. New Hebrides bilingual censor tape
affixed at left. Paul A. Dorn was a librarian of the Dominion Colonial and Overseas (D.C. & O.) Library in Los Angeles. (Klinger coll.)
30 November 1945
Air Mail letter to Chakwood NSW per manuscript directed air mail via New Zealand. The colonial letter rate at that time
was 10 cg and the air surcharge from Vila to Australia via New Zealand was 25 cg from 1945 to 47. So the cover is correctly
franked and the stamps ar cancelled with GK type PM7C. ("Aore" coll.)
18 December 1945
Air Mail letter from Santo to the Netherlands. The letter was transported surface
to Sydney ( the 10c rate not paid). The 1F 50c paid the (double?) Air rate. From there
via London ( where the O.A.T = "Onward Air Transmission" handstamp was applied) to
the Netherlands. Cancelled in Santo with PCH type 37. ("Aore" coll.)
24 January 1946
Air Mail envelope to Brisbane Australia. Franked 1938 British 40cg adhesive tied with
violet PCH type 12 c.d.s. A further strike alongside. Normal rate would be 10c. (Klinger coll.)
16 February 1946
new Jan 2018
Air Mail cover via New Zealand and ENgland to Jersey, Channel Islands. The 1F35cg stamps cancelled with PM7C.
Air Mail surcharge for Great Britain via New Zealand was 1F20cg and the colonial letter rate was 10cg so this cover is overpaid 5cg.
Source: Mossgreen, Australia
24 May 1946
Registered Air Mail cover to France. The cover is reduced in size. The French 1938 10Fg and 50cg
stamps are cancelled with PCH type 14. Registration handstamp seems to be PCH type R8. (Klinger coll.)
13 September 1946
(new 10/21)
Air Mail cover to London cancelled GK type PM7C. Cheapest air surcharge to the 10cg colonial letter rate wss via Australia: 95cg. So this cover was
underpaid 45cg and taxed.
14 October 1946
Air mail to Tonkin, the 1Fg5cg cancelled with GK type PM16 in blue. I cannot reconstruct the air rate to Tonkin.
Backstamped Noumea 28 OCT 14. Qantas Empire Air Ways (ex Millet coll.)
14 October 1946
13 December 1946
Air Mail to Saigon at a 60 cg rate. Backstamped Saigon 23.12.46. (ex Millet coll.)
26 March 1947
Air Mail to Lyon, the 85cg cancelled with GK type PM11B. Overpaid maybe as the French colonial leter rate was 10cg per 20g and 2nd class air surcharge
was 45 cg per 20 gr. (Clemens Albert coll.)
19 June 1947
Air Mail to San Francisco, the five British 10c stamps cancelled with PCH type 12. Noumea transfer on reverse.
Underpaid with Tax handstamp.
(seen in an old dealer's offer)
21 June 1947
Air Mail letter from Port-Vila to Sydney. The letter commemorates the first
Air Mail connection from Vila to Sydney on 21 June 1947 by T.O.A. Port Vila-Espiritu Santo-Honiara-Lingatu-Tulagi - returning to Sydney.
Trans Oceanic Airways had bought five Short Sunderland flying boats from the RAAF in
1947 and served New Caledonia, New Hebrides and the Solomon Island
in the end 40's. T.O.A. was bought by Ansett Airways in 1953.
Six British and six French 1938 stamps are cancelled with PCH type 14. (Merot coll.)
18 July 1947
(new 5/2018)
Air Mail letter from Port-Vila to Noumea. Correctly franked as air mailk as the colonial letter rate was 10cg and the air surcharge
to New Caledonia in 1947 was 5cg. Arrival date 19 July. (coll. Fred Petit)
18 July 1947
(new 5/2018)
reverse
25 July 1947
Air Mail letter from Port-Vila to Auckland at 30c rate. It seems that the letter was underpaid 10c as the air mail surcharge to New Zealand
was 30c until 27 September 1947. (seen at an internet auction)
4 August 1947
Air Mail letter from an electricion on the "aviso colonial" (a small cruiser) DUMONT D'URVILLE of the French navy to his parents (?) in
Pont l'Abbé, France. The two French 1938 10cg and 50cg stamps are cancelled with PCH Type 14. (Treadwell coll.)
4 August 1947
Reverse: sender
TRAPAS first flights 16-18 July 1947
Nouméa - Santo : 19 registered and 236 ordinary letters
Nouméa - Port Vila : 153 registered and 991 ordinary letters.
Port Vila - Nouméa : 204 items flown.
Information thanks to "JGI" and Alain Millet
TRAPAS first flights 16-18 July 1947
Nouméa - Santo : 16 July 1947
Santo - Port Vila : 18 July 1947
Port Vila - Nouméa : 19 July 1947
Incoming TRAPAS mail to the New Hebrides
16 July 1947
Incoming mail, but interesting: First French Air Connection New Caledonia - New
Hebrides by TRAPAS (TRansports Aériens du PAcifique Sud): Letter fom
New Caledonia to Port Vila, backstamped Port Vila 18 July 1947. The cancel
looks very much like PCH type 11 but has four letters for the month. Also
backstamped "AGENCE COMMERCIALE DU PACIFIQUE". (Klinger coll.)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
1947 TRAPAS' first flights Nouméa - Vila and Vila - Nouméa. Here an outward cover
cancelled Nouméa 16 July 1947 and Port-Vila 18 July 1947. The flight arrived at Santo on 16 July
and continued on to Port Vila on 17 July. Port Vila mail was not backstamped until 18 July 1947.
("JGI" collection)
16 July 1947
Extraordinary example of these TRAPAS flights: Nouméa to Port-Vila on front and then
forwarded retour to Nouméa with the same flight. Cancelled Nouméa 16 July,
Port-Vila 18 July on front and 18 July on back and Nouméa 19 July 1947.
(A. Millet collection)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
1947 TRAPAS' first flights Nouméa - Vila and Vila - Nouméa. Here an outward cover
cancelled Nouméa 16 July 1947 and Port-Vila 18 July 1947. ("Namba 2" collection)
16 July 1947
1947 TRAPAS' first flights Nouméa - Vila and Vila - Nouméa. Here an outward cover
cancelled Nouméa 16 July 1947 and Port-Vila 18 July 1947. The flight arrived at Santo on 16 July
and continued on to Port Vila on 17 July. Port Vila mail was not backstamped until 18 July 1947.
("JGI" collection)
16 July 1947
Another one Nouméa to Nouméa via Port-Vila with the same flight. Cancelled Nouméa 16 July
on front and 18 July Port-Vila on back and Nouméa 19 July 1947 om back.
(Klinger collection)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
One of 153 registered items outward bound to Vila: Nouméa 16 July, Port-Vila 17 July, backstamped 18 July,
start Vila 19 July, arrival Nouméa 19 July and backstamped the same day. Mail as this one destined for Autralia
were placed on a PanAm flight from Nouméa reaching Sydney on 23 July where this letter received Sydeny Registered and
William Street, NSW arrival marks on the same day. ("JGI" coll.)
16 July 1947
Nouméa 16 July, Port-Vila 17 July, backstamped 18 July, Nouméa 19 July and then to Paris. ("JGI" coll.)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
Incoming mail: letter from New Caledonia via Port-Vila to France. (Blinco coll.)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
Incoming mail: letter from New Caledonia to a member of the French administration. (Blinco coll.)
16 July 1947
Reverse
16 July 1947
Incoming mail: registered letter from New Caledonia to Gabriel Le Peltier in Vila. (seen on Ebay)
16 July 1947
Incoming mail: registered letter from New Caledonia Port Vila.
16 July 1947
(new Dec 2018)
Incoming mail: registered letter from New Caledonia Port Vila.
16 July 1947
(new Dec 2018)
Incoming mail: registered letter from New Caledonia Port Vila.
16 July 1947
(new Dec 2018)
reverse
16 July 1947
(new 4/2020)
First flight NOUMEA - SANTO by TRAPAS on 16 july 1947. Special postmark Première liaison aérienne française TRAPAS
Nouvelle Calédonie Nouvelles Hébrides, NOUMEA 16 JUIL 47, SANTO 16 JUL 47 (PM16) on arrival. ("SeSi" coll.)
Outgoing TRAPAS mail from the New Hebrides
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to New Caledonia.
The French 15c. stamp tied by PCH type 9. Aside
handstamp type 232A Première liaison aérienne / Port Vila
Nouméa / par Trapas.
("Namba 2" collection)
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Santo to New Caledonia.
The British 5c. and 10c stamps tied by PCH type 38. Nouméa backstamp on arrival 19.7.47.
The return flight of this first TRAPAS liaison startet in Port Vila on 18 July with an
intermediate stop at Santo. Letters originating from Santo did not have a first flight cachet. ("Namba 2" collection)
18 July 1947
(new 2/2019)
Air mail letter from Santo to New Caledonia.
The French 5c. and British 10c stamps tied by PCH type 38.
The return flight of this first TRAPAS liaison startet in Port Vila on 18 July with an
intermediate stop at Santo. Letters originating from Santo did not have a first flight cachet.
18 July 1947
(new 2/2019)
reverse
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Pont des Français NC.
The French 5c., 25c., and 30c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14. Aside
handstamp type 232A Première liaison aérienne / Port Vila
Nouméa / par Trapas and private handstamps black plane and DJ
(sender is J.Dube). Letter No 44 of 204 flown. (Image thanks to Prestige Philately Australia)
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Pont des Français NC.
The French 5c., 25c., and 30c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14. Aside
handstamp type 232A Première liaison aérienne / Port Vila
Nouméa / par Trapas and private handstamps black plane and DJ
(sender is J.Dube). Letter No 48 of 204 flown.
Backstamped NOUMEA 19 7 47 in transit and Pont des Français 24-7-47
on arrival. Reapplied on front with handstamp RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR.
Back in Port-Vila 31 JUIL 47 PCH type 14 and 13.
("SeSi" collection)
18 July 1947
Reverse
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Pont des Français NC.
The French 5c., 25c., and 30c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14. Aside
handstamp type 232A Première liaison aérienne / Port Vila
Nouméa / par Trapas and private handstamps black plane and DJ
(sender is J.Dube). Letter No 34 of 204 flown. Pont des Français cancel 24 JUIL 47 on face.
Backstamped NOUMEA 19 7 47 in transit and Pont des Français 24-7-47
on arrival. Reapplied on front with handstamp RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR.
Back in Port-Vila 31 JUIL 47 PCH type 14 and 13.
("Namba 2" collection)
18 July 1947
Reverse
18 July 1947
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Pont des Français NC.
The French 5c., 25c., and 30c.or stamps tied by PCH type 14. Aside
handstamp type 232A Première liaison aérienne / Port Vila
Nouméa / par Trapas and private handstamps black plane and DJ
(sender is J.Dube). Letter No 3 of 204 flown. Pont des Français cancel 24 JUIL 47 on face.
Backstamped NOUMEA 19 7 47 in transit and Pont des Français 24-7-47
on arrival. Reapplied on front with handstamp RETOUR A L'ENVOYEUR.
Back in Port-Vila 31 JUIL 47 PCH type 14 and 13.
(Millet coll.)
18 July 1947
Reverse
18 July 1947
A 16 July 1947 TRAPAS incoming cover redirected back to Noumea, a New Hebrides 1Fg stamp on reverse and cancelled.
Not sure if this one is included in the number of 204 covers flown. (Millet collection)
18 July 1947
Reverse
18 July 1947
Air Mail letter from Port-Vila to New Caledonia at a 15c rate (10c colonial letter rate and 5c air surcharge to New Caledonia). (ex Millet coll.)
18 July 1947
18 July 1947
20 cg on a heavy colonial letter to Australia and 15cg air surcharge so overpaid or 5 cg. ("SeSi" coll.)
18 July 1947
Outgoing first TRAPAS mail from SANTO to NOUMEA N.C.
The 5gc and 10gc tied by PM16 SANTO 18 JUL 47,
backstamped NOUMEA 19 7 47 on arrival. "SeSi" coll.)
24 September 1947
(new 2/2020)
Registered air mail cover from Port-Vila to Buenos-Aires Argentina.
The 3 French stamps tied by PM11B, registration label NR7B.
Total franking 1 F.or 70cg : non colonial cover rate 30cg,
registration 30cg, air mail fee 1F.10cg ( 55cg per 5 gr ? )
Backstamped Port-Vila 24 SEP 47 , Sydney Air7 -5OC47 in transit. ("SeSi" coll.)
24 September 1947
(new 2/2020)
It is interesting that the sender wrote the wrong month on the reverse: "Letter sent to CDS (Initials of the addressee) 23/10/1947 letter No, 15".
Maybe there should exist at least 14 similar covers.
17 October 1947
Registered air mail letter to Clermont Ferrand (Puy de Dôme) France.
The 5c.,15c.,20c. and 50c.or and 30c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 14.
The registration label is type R14, late use. Backstamped Clermont Ferrand 3-11-47.
("SeSi" collection)
28 October 1947
(new 3/22)
Registered air mail letter to Saigon. The 1Fg 70cg stamps cancelled with GK type PM16.
Registration label NR7B and registration cachet NR18. Backstamped Vila PM7B 1 Nov 47, Sydney 5 NOV 47, Singapore (date illegible) and Saigon 12.11.47.
28 October 1947
(new 3/22)
reverse
14 November 1947
(new 3/22)
Registered air mail letter to Saigon. The 1Fg 70cg stamps cancelled with GK type PM11B.
Registration label NR7B. Backstamped Vila PM11B 14 Nov 47, Sydney 19 NOV 47, Singapore 21 Nov 47 and Saigon 24.11.47.
14 November 1947
(new 3/22)
reverse
28 November 1947
Air Mail cover with 1F British issue from Vila to London,
Hals/Collas Postmark #15. (Klinger coll.)
First air mail connection Autralia - New Hebrides via Nouméa in December 1947
Early in December 1947 the Australian Postmaster General announced the opening of an air mail service between Australia and the New Hebrides.
Outward flight letters were cancelled at Sydney for the first flight on Saturday 6 December 1947 and left on the PanAm Clipper for Nouméa, New
Caledonia on a regular flight on Monday 8 December. This mail was backstamped at Nouméa on 8 December 1947 and left on a TRAPAS (TRansports Arien PAcifique Sud)
Catalina flying boat for Vila where the mail was backstamped on 11th December 1947.
6 December 1947
(new 11/29)
Registered air mail cover from GPO Sydney C to the British Vila Postmaster
and return to Lane Cove Australia.
The 3d (registration) and the 9d (rate per 1/2 Oz) australian stamps tied by
GPO Sydney RS -6 DE 47A C cachet. PAA (Pan American world Airways Inc) clipper
carried their first mails for New Hebrides on 7 December 1947 via Nouméa where the
French TRAPAS (TRansports Aériens PAcifique Sud) flew them to the New Hebrides.
Backstamped Sydney RS -6 DE 47 C, NOUMEA 8 DEC 47 in transit, VILA 11 DE 47 on
arrival. Return to Australia Sydney 20 DE 47 and Lane Cove 21 DE 47. ("SeSi" coll.)
C'est le premier vol avec arrivée Nouméa le 8 DEC.
L'enveloppe du 9 DE est arrivée à Nouméa le 10 DEC.
Les 2 lettres ont été transportées depuis Nouméa par le même vol TRAPAS
arrivé à Port-Vila le 11DEC47 .
6 December 1947
(new 11/29)
Reverse of this letter.
Sydney 6DE47
Sydney 6 December 1947.
Nouméa 8/DEC/47
Nouméa 8 December 1947.
Vila 11 DE 47
Vila 11 December 1947. (cancel graphically enhanced)
Sydney 20DE47
Sydney 20 December 1947.
Lane Cove 21D(E47)
Lane Cove 21 December 1947.
SMH 3 Dec. 1947
Sydney Morning Herald 3 December 1947 announcing the Pan AM flights.
An additional flight was offered by Pan American Airways with PanAm Clipper starting in Sydney on 9 December 1947 and the cover was cancelled in Nouméa on 10 December.
The cover was carried by Trapas to Vila with the same flight as the 6 December cover above but from there it was carried on to Santo.
9 December 1947
This flight letter was cancelled at Sydney on 9 December 1947 and left on the PanAm Clipper for Nouméa, New
Caledonia. The mail was backstamped at Nouméa on 10th December 1947 leaving on a TRAPAS (Transports Arien Pacifique Sud)
Catalina flying boat for Vila and Santo where the mail was backstamped on 11th December 1947 ("JGI" coll.)
9 December 1947
Reverse
11 December 1947
Return flight of the first air connection New Hebrides to Australia starting at Santo
on 11 December 1947 via Nouméa to Sydney. (old dealer's offer)
11 December 1947
Cover from the same return flight of the first air connection New Hebrides to Australia
but picked up at Vila on 11 December 1947 via Nouméa to Sydney, backstamped there
on 17 December 1947. The service was withdrawn in June 1955 following the demise of
Flying Boats. It was restarted in December 1955 after an airstrip near Vila was repaired
allowing a DH Rapide to fly in from Nouméa. ("JGI" coll.)
11 December 1947
Reverse
21 January 1948
Australian air mail cover to Monaco. The 50c.or stamp tied by PCH type
14. ("SeSi" collection)
23 March 1948
Air Mail cover to Detroit, USA. The British 1938 10c and 50c stamps
are cancelled with PCH type 14. (Ruecker coll.)
22 April 1948
(new 7/2020)
Registered air mail postmaster letter to USA. The 2,25Fg stamps tied by GK PM7B. Non-colonial letter rate was 20cg up to 20g and 10cg for eachadditional 20g.
Non-colonial Registration fee was 30cg. Air surcharge to USA was 60cg per 5g. So possibly 5cg underfranek for a 15g cover.
22 April 1948
Reverse
14 June 1948
Registered air mail letter to Lausanne, Switzerland. The 20c.and 40c.or stamps tied by
PCH type 13A on front, the 15c.gold stamp tied by PCH type 13A on reverse.
Registration label is type R14. Backstamped Sydney Air 7 25JU48B in transit and
Lausanne 1 VII 48 on arrival. The sender is Charles-Bernard Dupertuis born
Charles Trantwein (29-8-1897) in Morges Switzerland. He adopted the name of his
mother as he left the missionary orders Les Pères du Sacré Coeur
d'Issoudun to marry a young Gilbert Islands girl in 1918. After several jobs in NH,
he studied the insects which live as parasites on the coconut palms. He imported
"Plemotropis Parvulus", parasit of he coconut flea, which distroyed the plantations
to fight this "mouche du cocotier". ("Sesi" collection)
14 June 1948
Reverse
15 June 1948
Registered air letter from the Vila Post Office to France. Four 15 cg stamps
and a 10c on reverse cancelled with PCH type 14. (Merot coll.)
1 August 1948
Air Mail cover to Cape Town, South Africa. The mixed stamps of an amount
of 1 gF are cancelled with PCH type 13. (Ruecker coll.)
24 August 1948
Registered air mail letter to N.S.W. - the 50cg cancelled with GK type PM16.
Registration label GK type NR17 with a Santo handstamp.
Image thanks to Caphila, Paris
24 August 1948
Air mail letter to Lyon. The total of French 1938 90 cg stamps cacncelled with Goyns Klinger type PM7D. ( ex Millet coll.)
7 September 1948
Air mail letter to Paris XX. The 20c.gold and 30c.or (3) stamps
tied by PCH type 13. The sender is Auguste Hénin, a French settler in Vaté.
He started his own business with a butcher's shop in Vila (the first in NH).
("Sesi" collection)
Senders butcher shop in Vila
Senders butcher shop in Vila
14 September 1948
(new 10/21)
Australian air mail cover to Enghien-les-Bains, France, redirected to Gyé-sur-Seine. The 30cg and 25cg stamps tied by GK type PM11B. overpaid 5cg.
Image thanks to Steve Drewett Postal History
20 September 1948
Air mail letter to England franked 1F gold and cancelled with Type 10. (Seen in an auction)
6 October 1948
Air mail letter to Enghien les Bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The 5c.or and 50c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 9B.
("Sesi" collection)
18 October 1948
Air mail letter to Enghien les Bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The 5c.or and 50c.gold stamps tied by PCH type 9B.
("Sesi" collection)
17 May 1949
Air mail letter to England. Dispatched on 17 May 1949 in Port Vila by the British Resident Commissioner
R(ichard) D(enis) Blandy. On the reverse Blandy gives an alternative address, the cover was redirected to
yet another one. The two 10c and one 30c stamps are tied by PCH type 9, backstamped with slogan Paddington W2,
London on 28 May 1949. ("Namba 2" collection)
Senders butcher shop in Vila
reverse
First regular flight Nouméa - Paris.
23/27 September 1949
Newspaper clipping with reports about this flight.
20 September 1949
Air mail cover from SANTO to ARUDY (Basses Pyrénées) France.
The French 20c.or and British 15 and 20c.gold tied by PCH type 37 SANTO 20 SEPT 49.
Handstamp cachet remembering the first regular flight NOUMEA-PARIS by Air France
and 10Fr France Libre NC stamp tied by cds NOUMEA 30 SEPT 49.
Rare mixed franking NH / NC for this flight. ("SeSi" collection)
24 September 1949
Air mail letter to Clichy, France.
The English 30c. and 25c.or stamps tied by PCH type 13 .
Handstamp cachet remembering the first regular flight Nouméa-Paris:
Premier voyage régulier / NOUMEA-PARIS / par Air France /
30 sept - 4 oct 1949. (Millet collection)
24 September 1949
(new 7 March 2018)
Air mail letter from Port-Vila to Caudéran Gironde France. The English 50gc and 5gc stamps tied by GK typt PM7D.
Handstamp cachet Premier voyage régulier / NOUMEA - PARIS / par Air France / 30 sept - 4 oct 1949. ("SeSi" coll.)
28 September 1949
Air mail cover from SANTO to ARUDY (Basses Pyrénées) France.
The British 5 and 50c.gold tied by PCH type 37 SANTO 20 SEPT 49.
Handstamp cachet remembering the first regular flight NOUMEA-PARIS by Air France
and 10Fr France Libre NC stamp tied by cds NOUMEA 30 SEPT 49.
Rare mixed franking NH / NC for this flight. (Clemens Albert collection)
28 September 1949
Air mail letter to Enghien les Bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The French 30c. and 25c.or stamps tied by PCH type 13 .
Handstamp cachet remembering the first regular flight Nouméa-Paris:
Premier voyage régulier / NOUMEA-PARIS / par Air France /
30 sept - 4 oct 1949. ("SeSi" collection)
22 September 1949
(new 7 Oct 2018)
Registered air mail cover from Santo to le Commandant de la Base Navale de DIEGO SUAREZ
MADAGASCAR.
Very late use of NR17 as registration label : Vila crossed out and Santo added in manuscript.
Total franking 2gF10gc tied by a poor and very smudgy postmark type PM16.
Air mail fee 1gF80gc for a 11-15g cover with air surcharge of 60gc per 5g.
Backstamped SANTO 22 SEP 49 , VILA 24 SEP 49 , SYDNEY AIR 7 29SE49,
--- REGISTERED 7 OC 49, TANANARIVE RP MADAGASCAR -- 10 (49) and DIEGO SUAREZ 10 OCT 49 on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
22 September 1949
(new 7 Oct 2018)
reverse
21 October 1949
Registered air mail letter to Enghiens les bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The 4 French UPU stamps tied with PCH type 14, registration label is PCH type 15 (so it had not only
been used on FDCs), backstamped Sydney 28 OCT 49 in transit and Enghiens les bains 5-11-1949
in arrival. The dates show that the cover indeed has been caried py Air Mail.
The addressee Claude Crinon is the son of Gaston Crinon who arrived in the New Hebrides on 16 June 1916
as Treasurer in the French administration of the Condominium. (source: O'Reilly, Hébridais)
("SeSi" collection)
21 February 1950
Registered air mail letter to Epinal (Vosges) France. The French 5c. (2), 15c. (2)
20c. and 50c. stamps tied by PCH type 15A. Total franking 85c.or. The
registration label is type R16. Backstamped Vila 21FE50 , Sydney air7 5MR50
in transit and Epinal 13-3-50 on arrival.
("SeSi" collection)
18 March 1950
(new 8 March 2020)
Postmaster air mail cover t oFrance: 10cg colonial letter rate and 50cg air surcharge (per 5g !!) - underpaid at least 5cg.
24 July 1950
(new 4 March 2018)
Air Mail to Australia. I doubt that this cover was flown. 10 cg colonial letter rate and air surcharge to AU was 15 cg. (Clemens Albert coll.)
First air mail connection Port Vila - Paris.
The flight was conducted by TRAPAS, mail was precancelled from 20th to 26th April 1950.
20 April 1950
Letter with 40c French and 25c British issue from Vila to France. A PCH type
233 cachet remembering the first flight Port Vila - Paris and a PCH type 15A
cancel struck on 20 April. (seen in an old dealer's offer)
25 April 1950
Letter with the 40c.or and 25c.gold stamps from Vila to Marseille
(Bouches du Rhône) France. A PCH type 233 cachet remembering the first
flight Port-Vila - Paris and a PCH type 15 struck on 25 april.
The flight is recorded for the 25AP50 by Air France (PCH and Le service
postal aérien dans les pays d'expression française Pierre Saulgrain 1996).
The letters struck on 26 april weren't flown on the first flight (C.4.A-2,
French covers to Epinal and Enghien les bains).
("Sesi" collection)
26 April 1950
Air Mail cover to France, redirected there to Paris, the French 25c and 40c stamps
are cancelled with PCH type 12 or 13. A handstamp (PCH type 233) memorates the first Port Vila - Paris
air connection. (Clemens Albert coll.)
26 April 1950
Letter with 40c French and 25c British issue from Vila to France. A PCH type
233 cachet remembering the first flight Port Vila - Paris and a PCH type 15A
cancel struck on 26 April not recorded in PCH for this date (PCH: 25 April,
see other covers). (Klinger coll.)
26 April 1950
Registered air mail letter to Epinal (Vosges) France. The 20,25,40c.or and 10c. UPU
French issue tied by PCH type 14. The registration label is type R16 but
with VILA in typewriter in violet. The PCH type 233 remembering the
first fight Port-Vila - Paris (on 26AP50) on front.
Backstamped Port-Vila 26APR50. No arrival backstamp. ("Sesi" coll.)
26 April 1950
Reverse
26 April 1950
Air mail letter to Enghien les Bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The 1Fg and 30cg stamps tied by PCH type 9B. PCH type 233
remembering the first flight Port-Vila - Paris on 26AP50 on front. ("SeSi" collection)
26 April 1950
Air mail letter to Paris.es Bains (Seine et Oise) France.
The 25 and 40 cg stamps tied by PCH type 9B. PCH type 233
remembering the first flight Port-Vila - Paris on 26AP50 on front. (Millet collection)
26 April 1950
Air mail letter to Paris.
The 25 and 40 cg stamps tied by PCH type 9B. PCH type 233
remembering the first flight Port-Vila - Paris on 26AP50 on front.
Image thanks to Caphila, Paris
26 April 1950
(new 11/22)
Air mail letter to Marseille. Stamps on reverse. Cancelled on transit Sydney Air 1 Mai 1950.
26 April 1950
(new 11/22)
Air mail letter to Marseille. Stamps on reverse. Cancelled on transit Sydney Air 1 Mai 1950.
25 April 1950
Air mail letter to France. The British 25c and 40c stamps tied by PCH type 9.
The PCH type 233 remembering the first fight Port-Vila - Paris on front. The flight was conducted by TRAPAS.
All covers for this flight were precancelled from 20 to 26 April 1950. In October, TRAPAS stopped operation. ("Namba 2" coll.)
26 April 1950
Air mail letter to France. The 15c and 50c stamps tied by PCH type 9. PCH type 233
remembering the first flight Port-Vila - Paris on 26AP50 on front. ("Namba 2" collection)
26 April 1950
First flight air mail letter to France. The 25c and 40c stamps tied by PCH type 9. PCH type 233
remembering the first flight Port-Vila - Paris on 26AP50 on front. This is the only cover in our
series which has a backstamp: "PARIS VII - SERVICES PUBLICS / 14:30 / 3 - 5 / 1950".
According to a notice on an Air France internet page and according to a small
letter in 50AP26 the flight took place on April 26. (Treadwell collection)
8 January 1952
Air mail letter to Australia. 20cg showing the timed 'Vila' cds [PM 18B]. (ex "JGI" coll.)
29 January 1952
Air mail letter Casablanca, 55cg showing the 'Vila' cds [PM 18A]. 10cg colonial letter rate and air surcharge to Morocco was 55cg - so underpaid but not taxed. (Clemens Albert coll.)
29 January 1952
Air mail letter same day to England, 60cg showing the 'Vila' cds [PM 18A]. 10cg colonial letter rate and air surcharge to England was 50cg -so correctly franked.
According to a notice coming with this cover by our late friend Hubert Goton who lived in the New Hebrides in older times this letter was written by Mrs. Dotothy
Mary Smith, Missionary Sister-in-Charge, Churches of Christ Mission Clinic, Ranmawat, South Pentecost. So it was carried possibly by a Mission boat to Vila and then
postally handled. (Clemens Albert coll.)
26 April 1952
1F20 cg on a registered air mail letter to Paris, 26 April 1952 possibly. GK type PM19A and register label NR5.
Backstamped Vila 26 IV 52 and Sydney 2 May 1952. (ex Millet coll.)
26 April 1952
5 September 1952
new 2/2019
Air Mail cover from Santo to Scotland. The total of 2Fg50cg cancelled with PM20. Colonial letter rate in 1952 was 10cg up to 20g and
air surcharge was 50cg per 5g so for 20g the total was 2Fg10cg - so overpaid.
Image thanks to Ceres Philatélie
24 September 1952
Air mail letter from Santo to Paris, the 1938 English 1F stamp cancelled with PM20. Overpaid as the colonial letter rate
was 10cg for a 20gr letter (20cg up to 50gr) and air surcharge to France was 50cg. (ex Millet coll.)
24 September 1952
reverse
dd mm 1955
Air mail letter from Banque de l'Indochine Port-Vila to Villeneuve la Garenne (Seine) France.
The 5 and 30c.or and 20gc tied by PCH type 16. ("SeSi" coll.)
21 April 1955
(new 2/2020)
Air mail letter from Vila to Hamburg, Germany. The sender wanted to be sure that it is franked suffiently : 10Fg !!!
Non-colonial letter rate was 30cg, non-colonial registartion fee 30cg too and air surcharge 45 cg. (Klinger coll.)
21 April 1955
(new 2/2020)
Air mail letter from Vila to Hamburg, Germany. The sender wanted to be sure that it is franked suffiently : 7Fg this time !!!
Non-colonial letter rate was 30cg, non-colonial registartion fee 30cg too and air surcharge 45 cg. (Klinger coll.)
16 December 1956
new 19 Jan 2018
Air Mail to Cristobal, Canal Zone. 2F80cg cancelled with PM18A. Must have been a heavy letter as non colonial letter rate was 20cg and air mail surcharge to Central America 70cg.
Image thanks to Gaertner Auktions
2 November 1957
This one is important as the cancel is scarce: Air mail letter to the U.S. The two British 50c tied by
the times Air Mail cancel PCH type 18 which is seldom seen. 'Received' in manuscript 18.11.57. ("Namba 2" collection)
2 November 1957
Cancel type 18
3 May 1960
First flight Nouméa - Los Angeles - Paris. A total of 75c of French stamps to the U.S.
Backstamped Los ANgeles 7 May 1960. ("Namba 2" coll.)
14 December 1960
The postal service generally followed French Colonial postal procedures and had a second class service
indicated by the letters "A.O." for Autres Objects. ("Namba 2" coll.)
7 September 1966
Special flight with President De Gaulle. (unknown coll.)
21 July 1969
(new 4/2020)
First Sabena flight Brussels - Bangkok. (Klinger collection)
4 October 1976
reverse
4 October 1976
(new 2/2020)
50th anniversary flight cover backstamped Vila 4.10.76. (Klinger collection)
4 October 1976
reverse
4 October 1976
(new 4/2020)
50th anniversary flight cover backstamped Vila 4.10.76. (Klinger collection)
4 October 1976
reverse
4 October 1976
(new 4/2020)
50th anniversary flight cover backstamped Vila 4.10.76. (Klinger collection)
4 October 1976
reverse
4 October 1976
(new 4/2020)
50th anniversary flight cover backstamped Vila 4.10.76. (Klinger collection)
4 October 1976
reverse
31 July 1977
(new 4/2020)
Anniversary flight cover #25 dive bomber Sqadron R.N.Z.A.F Santo-Nandi-Auckland-Christchurch. (Klinger collection)
31 July 1977
reverse
31 July 1977
(new 4/2020)
Anniversary flight cover #25 dive bomber Sqadron R.N.Z.A.F Santo-Nandi-Auckland-Christchurch. (Klinger collection)
31 July 1977
reverse
31 July 1977
(new 4/2020)
Page 1 of the card inside. (Klinger collection)
31 July 1977
(new 4/2020)
Page 2 of the card inside. (Klinger collection)