Description:

1930 (Oct 16) England-Australia #173a intermediate cover with violet boxed 'ENGLAND-AUSTRALIA FLIGHT/WITH MR OSCAR GARDEN, ACROSS BAY OF BENGAL' cachet and special airmail label signed Oscar Garden alongside, franked with India KGV ½a green (4) tied 'PARK STREET/30OCT30/CALCUTTA' datestamp on face and two further stamps on back tied 'RANGOON GPO/31OCT30/SORTING' arrivals on back, Cat $1,200. [11 flown; Oscar Garden with only 40 hours flying experience was competing in the England-Australia air race won by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith]