Description:

1919 (Nov 12) England-Australia #27 flown cover addressed to 'Lieut Keith M Smith' in his own handwriting with his signature 'Keith Smith' on face (Frommer #FR:300) bearing a fine example of the Ross Smith vignette tied by black oval 'FIRST AERIAL MAIL/RECEIVED/26FEB1920/GREAT BRITAIN TO AUSTRALIA' datestamp with another strike and blue three-line 'Per/Vickers "Vimy" Aeroplane/to Australia' cachet alongside on face, Cat $6,500. [of the 364 covers carried, less than half bear the cachet, only 23 are recorded signed by Keith Smith, and this is the only one known addressed in his own handwriting]