Description:

1919 (Nov 12) England-Australia #27 flown cover addressed to 'Mrs J Sivell' (Frommer #FR:291) endorsed 'OAS' [On Active Service] 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 very fine strike alongside on face, signed on back 'J Bennett/Darwin/12.12.19', cover aged with minor repaired tears at upper left and part back flap missing, Cat $6,000+. [the 'On Active Service' covers originated from the AIF 1st Australian Wireless Squadron in Baghdad, handed to Ross Smith by Brigadier General ND MacEwen at Simla, India and carried safehand to London to join the 'Vimy' mail; only 29 covers are recorded signed by Jim Bennett]