| Accession Number | RC02338 |
|---|---|
| Collection type | Published Collection |
| Record type | Item |
| Item count | 1 |
| Measurement | Letter: 25.3 x 20.4 cm ; Envelope: 12 x 14.7 cm |
| Object type | Philately |
| Date made | 1931 |
| Conflict |
Period 1930-1939 |
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Envelope and letter: First All Australian Airmail from England to Australia
Description
The first all Australian air mail from Australia to England left Melbourne on 20 November 1931 in the "Southern Sun, piloted by GU Allan. The plane crashed at Alor Star in Kedah. Charles Kingsford Smith flew to Kedah in the "Southern Star", retrieved the mail and flew on to England, arriving on 16 December 1931.
The "Southern Star" left London on 7 January 1932, after some repairs due to an accident, carrying mail originally intended to be delivered by Christmas.
The envelope has the message "Xmas Greetings by First All-Australian Air Mail" and is post marked 21 December 1931. It is autographed by both GU Allan and Charles Kingsford Smith. It contained a note reading "Australian National Airways. This letter was carried by air from England to Australia in the SOUTHERN STAR, the first All Australian Mail Aeroplane to leave England. Piloted by Air Commodore CE Kingsford-Smith and Mr GU Allan. Left London 22 December 1931"