Description:

1929 (June 2) #136 Airmail 3d green presentation die proof struck on thick handmade paper (213x167mm) with deckled edges a little ragged at right, BW #134DP(2), Cat $12,500, on exhibit page with WA Philatelic Syndicate intermediate cover flown on delayed return flight to Forrest, SA franked with 3d Airmail and KGV 1½d red tied 'KALGOORLIE/-1JE29/W.A.' and '5JE29' arrival datestamp alongside signed by pilot S Brearley on face. [Australia's first airmail stamp was issued on May 20 to mark the commencement of the first inter-capital city airmail service on June 2; although large mails were flown between the capiltals, Rosenblum states under 20 covers were flown between Kalgoorlie and Forrest; the ACSC states that 11 proofs were presented, one of which is in the Australia Post Archives, but only four others have been accounted for. Lord Vestey's example - reduced to 166x130mm, with the deckled edges trimmed off - sold at auction in October 2014 for £4560. Arthur Gray's complete example sold at our auction of 20/10/2015 for $5,355]