33-40
Karachi to Calcutta via
​Jodhpur, Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad & Asansol
The first flight by the Indian Trans-Continental Airways was from Karachi to Calcutta via Jodhpur, Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Asansol. Mail for this flight had left Croydon on 1 July 1933 and, at Cairo, connected with the incoming flight from South Africa, South West Africa and Rhodesia. The mails were transferred to the Imperial Airways airliner Hanno (a Handley Page HP42 G-AAUD) which left for Karachi via Bahrain and Sharjah on 5 July.  There the flight was continued by the Indian Trans-Continental airliner Arethusa (an Armstrong Whitworth AW15 Atalanta VT-AEF).
Map showing route between Karachi to Calcutta in July 1933
Press clipping annoucing the arrival of the first Karachi - Calcutta air mail service flight in Delhi.
Invitation to be present at Dum Dum Airport, Calcutta for the arrival of the first Karachi-Calcutta air mail service.
Press clipping with a photograph of the onlookers greeting the arrival of the first Karachi-Calcutta air mail service, and the unloading of the mail.
Press clipping dated July 7 1933 annoucing the new ITCA service from Karachi to Calcutta.
Postal Notice TC-112, (Calcutta) announcing the Air Mail service between Karachi Calcutta.
Photocopy of the Abridged Imperial Airways time table with flight schedule, fare and other important information on the flight from London to Calcutta.
Abridged Imperial Airways time table with flight schedule, fare and other important information on the flight from London to Calcutta.
Press clipping annoucing the discountinuance of the halt at Asansol starting with the return flight of the inaugural Karachi-Calcutta air mail service.
​Unused cover prepared for occasion by Imperial Airways. The London-Karachi service of Imperial Airways was extended to Calcutta by ITCA.
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways July 1933 
ISC 33-40: Mint unused Imperial Airways souvenir cover prepared for this flight.
NIC
Indian Trans-Continental & Imperial Airways with compliments slip from the Karachi office
E 1-1, Karachi - Jodhpur
Official cover flown from Karachi to Jodhpur, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet. KARACHI-CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, at Karachi. Arrival marks on the reverse.
Cover flown from Karachi to Jodhpur in July 1933 Postmakred Karachi Air 7 JLY.33.
E 1-2, Karachi - Delhi
E 1-3, Karachi - Cawnpore
33-40: Cover mailed in Brindisi, Italy on 3 July 1933, and flown on the Imperial Airways London to Karachi service, and then from Karachi to Cawnpore on the ITCA route extension to Calcutta. There is an arrival mark on the reverse, CAWNPORE, DELY, 8 JLY 33.
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Karachi to Cawnpore on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 7 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Karachi, and 3a 3p postage stamps tied with Karachi Air, 7 Jly 33 cancellation marks. On the reverse is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore on arrival, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith on a Ritz Hotel, Calcutta envelope.
E 1-4, Karachi - Allahabad
Postcard flown from Karachi to Allahabad in July 1933 Postmarked Karachi Air 7 JLY.33.
Rare item from the "London Monetary Economic Conference", carried on F/F regular service London to Allahabad, bss 8/7 boxed rectangular "Karachi-Calcutta" arrival cachet verso, registered (London Monetary Economic Conference label) official red/white/blue Imperial Airways/India Trans-Continental Airways souvenir cover, franked KGV 1d & 10d, canc speical "London Monetary Economic Conference" cds. There are four fine strikes (two front, two verso) of this Speical event postmark Whitney #197, cat 30 pound. Francis Field authentication hs verso.
33-40: The first flight by the Indian Trans-Continental Airways was from Karachi to Calcutta via Jodhpur, Delhi, Cawnpore, Allahabad and Asansol. Mail for this flight had left Brindisi on 3 July 1933 and, at Cairo, connected with the incoming flight from South Africa, South West Africa and Rhodesia. The mails were transferred to the Imperial Airways airliner Hanno which left for Karachi via Bahrain and Sharjah on 5 July. There the flight was continued by the Indian Trans-Continental airliner Arethusa. The cover was flown to Allahabad.

The cover bears Red Cachet POSTA ARERA BOOK POST IMPERIME BRINDSI-ALLAHABAD. Also it bears another Red cachet PREMIER AERIAN - BRINDISI - ALLAHABAD. It also bears the Black Cachet KARACHI-CALCUTTA 7 JLY.33 FIRST AIRMAIL. It is posted various times BRINDISI POSTA ARERA 3.7.33.

Seen on the reverse, is the black cachet KARACHI - CALCUTTA 8 JLY.33 FIRST AIRMAIL. Also bears the postmark ALLAHABAD 8 JLY.33.
33-40: Official cover flown from Karachi to Allahabad, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI-CALCUTTA, 7 7 JULY 33. FIRST AIRMAIL, at Karachi. Arrival marks on the reverse.
33-40: Registered cover flown from Basrah to Allahabad in July 1933 Postmarked Basrah 5 JLY.33, with Air Mail etiquette and rare circular hand stamp Extension of England - India Air Service by Imperial Airways Ltd. with a Baghdad registration label and a hand written note in pencil 24 flown. On the reverse is the Karachi-Calcutta 8 July 33 boxed rectangular cachet, and circular Allahabad GPO 8 July 33 arrival stamp.
E 1-5, Karachi - Asansol
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra. flown from Karachi to Asansol on the first flight of the Karachi to Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon - Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi - Calcutta, 7 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Karachi, and 3a 3p postage stamps tied with Karachi Air, 7 Jly 33 cancellation marks. On the reverse is an Asansol, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 1-6, Karachi - Calcutta
33-40: Cover postmarked BAHRAIN, 5 JLY 33, and with the special Karachi-Calcutta extension cachet. Arrival mark dated 9 July at Calcutta on verso.
ISC 33-40: Belgium acceptance for the first regular Imperial Airways/Indian Trans-Continental Airways service from London to Calcutta, red/white/blue 'speedbird' cover franked 6F50 air & IF50 ordinary postage, cancelled Brussels cds (illegal date), black boxed rectangular "Karachi-Calcutta/7 Jul 33/First Airmail" arrival cachet verso. Arrival stamp on verso 9 JLY 33. Francis Field authentication hand stamp, and addressed to S.H. Smith (Stephen H. Amith) Calcutta, and Stephen Smith signature on verso.
33-40: Postcard flown from Karachi to Calcutta on 7 July 1933. See HG37R on reverse.
33-40: Air Mail cover flown from Karachi to Calcutta, and onwards to Mandalay, Burma. Tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI - CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, at Karachi. Arrival marks on the reverse. Capt. Finglas cover with attractive lables on the front and reverse.
33-40: Air Mail cover flown from Karachi to Calcutta, Tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI - CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, at Karachi. Arrival marks on the reverse.
E 2-2, Jodhpur - Delhi
33-40: Official cover flown from Jodhpur to Delhi, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI-CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, at Jodhpur. Arrival marks at Delhi and Simla on the reverse.
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Cover flown from Gwadar to Karachi by Imperial Airways
From Karachi to Calcutta by Indian Trans-Continental Airways
From Calcutta to Saigon by Air Orient Services
 
 
ISC 33-40: Air Mail etiquette affixed on cover franked 5 annas 9 pies and cancelled GUADUR / 7 JLY 33 and with a boxed rectangular cachet KARACHI-CALCUTTA / 7 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL. On the reverse is an arrival mark SAIGON CENTRAL / COCHINCHINE / 17* / 13-7 / 33.
 
An interesting combination flight cover, seldom seen.
 
Provenance: Stampbay auction 2, Aug 17 2019, lot # 253.
E 2-3, Jodhpur - Cawnpore
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra. Flwon from Jodhpur to Cawnpore on the first flight of the Karachi - Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon - Karachi service. On the fron tis the Karachi - Calcutta, 7 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Jodhpur as an obliterator on the 3a 3p postage stamps. On the reverse is the Karchi - Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore on arrival, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith on a David Ezra, Calcutta envelope.
E 2-4, Jodhpur - Allahabad
33-40: Official cover flown from Jodhpur to Allahabad, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI-CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, at Jodhpur. Arrival marks on the reverse.
E 2-5, Jodhpur - Asansol
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Jodhpur to Asansol on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 7 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Jodhpur as an obliterator on the  3a 3p postage stamps. On the reverse is an Asansol, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 2-6, Jodhpur - Calcutta
33-40: Cover flown from Jodhpur to Calcutta. Commemorative cachet used as cancellation mark dated 7 Jly 33., Verso with commemorative cachet dated 8 Jly 33, which was the arrival date in Calcutta, and delivery mark Park Street Calcutta 8 Jly 33.
E 3-3, Delhi - Cawnpore
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Delhi to Cawnpore on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Delhi, and the  3a 3p postage stamps obliterated by a boxed rectangular cachet, Use the Air Mail and save time, Delhi, 8 Jly 33. On the reverse is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore on arrival, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith on a David Ezra, Calcutta envelope.
E 3-4, Delhi - Allahabad
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Allahabad, tied with the slogan postal boxed cachet, at Simla. Arrival mark on the reverse.
E 3-5, Delhi - Asansol
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Delhi to Asansol on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Delhi, and the  3a 3p postage stamps obliterated by a boxed rectangular cachet, Use the Air Mail and save time, Delhi, 8 Jly 33. On the reverse is an Asansol, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 3-6, Delhi - Calcutta
33-40: Official cover flwon from calcutta, tied with the slogan postal boxed cachet, at Simla. Arrival mark on the reverse at Calcutta and Newport, England.
E 4-4, Cawnpore - Allahabad
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Stephen H. Smith, flown from Cawnpore to Allahabad on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore as an obliterator on the  3a 3p postage stamps. On the reverse is an Allahabad G.P.O., 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and a boxed rectangular cachet Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail applied at Allahabad, and a David Ezra, Calcutta cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 4-5, Cawnpore - Asansol
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Cawnpore to Asansol on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore as an obliterator on the  3a 3p postage stamps. On the reverse is an Asansol, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and the Ritz Hotel, Calcutta, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
33-45: Mystery cover. Where was it posted from. It has certaily reached Asansol on 8 July, and it appears that the franking has been cancelled at Calcutta on 8 July, but his is not possible.
E 4-6, Cawnpore - Calcutta
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Cawnpore to Calcutta on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Cawnpore as an obliterator on the  3a 3p postage stamps. On the reverse is a Park Street, Calcutta, Dely, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and the Ritz Hotel, Calcutta, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 5-5, Allahabad - Asansol
33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Allahabad to Asansol on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet applied at Allahabad as an obliterator on the  3a 3p postage stamps, and beside that is an Allahabad G.P.O., 8 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse is an Asansol, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
E 5-6, Allahabad - Calcutta
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Calcutta, tied with the regular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI - CALCUTTA, 8 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL applied at Allahabad is laso on the front. Arrival mark on the reverse at Calcutta and Newport, England.
E 6-6, Asansol - Calcutta
​33-40: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
33-40: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Asansol to Calcutta on the first flight of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which had carried the onward mail from the Imperial Airways Croydon – Karachi service. On the front is the Karachi – Calcutta, 8 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet,  and the  3a 3p postage stamps tied with the Asansol, 8 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse is a Park Street, Calcutta, Dely, 8 Jly 33 arrival mark, and the Ritz Hotel, Calcutta, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
33-40: Cover mailed from Asansol to Calcutta in July 1933 Postmakred Asansol 8 JLY.33. Signed by Stephen H. Smith on verso. See text fo rthe interesting story why the Karachi-Calcutta commemorative cachet is dated 8 July and not 7 July.