Description:

1931 (Jan 19) Launceston-Melbourne #175 cover to NSW carried on Australian National Airways Ltd first Bass Strait mail endorsed on back 'Launceston-Melbourne 19th January 1931 per "SOUTHERN CLOUD" courtesy of Air Commodore C Kingsford Smith /Thence flown Melbourne-Sydney per "SOUTHERN SUN" by courtesy of Pilot E Chaseling 20th January 1931/Handed to Pilot E Chaseling by A Young Esq ANA Officer in Melbourne', signed "C Kingsford Smith" on face and "E Chaseling" and "Alan Young" on back, franked with KGV 5d brown tied Hobart '16JA31' datestamp with blue R label alongside, Launceston '17JA31" transit on back and violet oval 'AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL AIRWAYS LTD/19JAN1931/MELBOURNE' private cachet on face, couple of minor aging marks, Cat $950. [14 flown; the Eustis example sold for $1,610]