Lot #76 1932 (March 23) India-Burma cover with 'AMERICAN FLIGHT CROYDON:HONG KONG/By Savoia-Marchetti NR-898W/Pilot: Smith Reynolds/Dep-Dum Dum 23rd March '32 for Rangoon' cachet in violet tying 'GIVE YOUR LETTER WINGS' label plus 'TIME IS MONEY' label tied 'American Flier' cachet, signed by pilot on face and India KGV 3p x5 tied light 'RANGOON GPO/24MAR32/SORTING' arrival d/s on back, fine condition.

Description:

1932 (March 23) India-Burma cover with 'AMERICAN FLIGHT CROYDON:HONG KONG/By Savoia-Marchetti NR-898W/Pilot: Smith Reynolds/Dep-Dum Dum 23rd March '32 for Rangoon' cachet in violet tying 'GIVE YOUR LETTER WINGS' label plus 'TIME IS MONEY' label tied 'American Flier' cachet, signed by pilot on face and India KGV 3p x5 tied light 'RANGOON GPO/24MAR32/SORTING' arrival d/s on back, fine condition. Zachary Smith Reynolds, youngest son of the founder of RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co, died of a gunshot wound to the head on July 6, 1932 shortly after returning home from this flight & only five months before his 21^st birthday on which he was to receive $17 million from his father's estate; his wife Libby Holman and his personal assistant Albert Walker - who were alleged to have been lovers - were suspected of his murder but the charges were eventually dropped for lack of evidence; two movies, "Reckless" starring Jean Harlow and the popular 1950s classic "Written on the Wind" were based on the story; one of only eight covers carried on this flight from London to Hong Kong via India.