Lot Number: 527

(Scarce and Unusual Routings) Madagascar to French Congo, ANTSIRANA to BRAZZAVILLE. Posted Antsirana 28/3 cds then carried by 90 miles by train to Tananarive bs 28/3, then 380 miles by postal van and river barge to the port of Majunga bs 5/4 cds, then by the Messageries Maritimes paquebot 'General Netzinger' to Dar es Salaam bs 9/4, then by WILSON AIRWAYS to Nairobi where transferred to IMPERIAL AIRWAYS Africa southbound service AS 162 (Hadrian) which left Nairobi 10/4 for Broken Hill bs 12/4 via Dodoma bs 11/4. Then transferred to the AERO CLUB DU KATANGA service to Elizabethville bs 13/4, where offloaded and on by rail/river to Port Franqui, then likely SABENA internal service to Leopoldville bs 25/4, delivered Brazzaville bs 25/4. Plain cover, red/black 'PTT Madagascar Serie E no 131/Par Avion' label graded rare by Mair, ms 'Par Avion' correctly RATED F4.50 for 50c domestic and 4F/5g air surtax. An aerophilatelist's dream - an early airmail carried over land, sea and river, and by air involving three (possibly four) airlines; a scarce and complex itinerary; and detailed route marks. Ex the late Ted Proud collection.

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Date: 1934, Mar 28
Est. price: £250.00 £212.50
Category: Scarce and Unusual Routings

Description: Madagascar to French Congo, ANTSIRANA to BRAZZAVILLE. Posted Antsirana 28/3 cds then carried by 90 miles by train to Tananarive bs 28/3, then 380 miles by postal van and river barge to the port of Majunga bs 5/4 cds, then by the Messageries Maritimes paquebot 'General Netzinger' to Dar es Salaam bs 9/4, then by WILSON AIRWAYS to Nairobi where transferred to IMPERIAL AIRWAYS Africa southbound service AS 162 (Hadrian) which left Nairobi 10/4 for Broken Hill bs 12/4 via Dodoma bs 11/4. Then transferred to the AERO CLUB DU KATANGA service to Elizabethville bs 13/4, where offloaded and on by rail/river to Port Franqui, then likely SABENA internal service to Leopoldville bs 25/4, delivered Brazzaville bs 25/4. Plain cover, red/black 'PTT Madagascar Serie E no 131/Par Avion' label graded rare by Mair, ms 'Par Avion' correctly RATED F4.50 for 50c domestic and 4F/5g air surtax. An aerophilatelist's dream - an early airmail carried over land, sea and river, and by air involving three (possibly four) airlines; a scarce and complex itinerary; and detailed route marks. Ex the late Ted Proud collection.