Indian Airmails

  • Home
  • Pre-1953 Airlines
    • Indian State Air Services >
      • 1929 Karachi - Delhi via Hyderabad & Jodhpur
    • Delhi Flying Club >
      • 1931 Emergency Flight by Delhi Flying Club
      • 1932 Karachi - Delhi
    • Indian Trans-Continental Airways >
      • 1933 Karachi - Calcutta >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Karachi - Calcutta
        • 1933 Westwards: Calcutta to Karachi
      • 1933 Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab
        • 1933 Westwards: Rangoon - Calcutta via Akyab
      • 1933 Karachi - Singapore Extension
      • 1934 Karachi - Australia Extension
      • 1936 Rangoon - Hong Kong
    • Indian National Airways >
      • 1933 Calcutta - Dacca
      • 1933 Rangoon - Calcutta
      • 1934 Karachi - Lahore
      • 1940 Karachi - Calcutta via Lahore
      • 1939 Karachi - Delhi
      • 1947 Calcutta - Rangoon
    • Madras Air Taxi Service
    • Experimental & Survey Flights. >
      • 1931 England - Australia Flight >
        • 1st Experimental Flight
        • 2nd Experimental Flight
      • 1938 Flying Boat Coogee
    • Star Line
  • Tata Airlines
    • 1931 - Karachi - Madras: Route Survey Flight
    • 1932 - Karachi - Madras >
      • Official Southbound
      • Official Northbound
      • Other Southbound
      • Other Northbound
      • Other Material
    • 1933 - Karachi - Madras via Poona
    • 1935 Karachi - Madras via Hyderabad >
      • 1935 - Karachi - Madras via Hyderabad
      • 1935 Bombay-Hyderabad Errors on Stamp
    • 1935 - Bombay - Calcutta demonstration flight
    • 1935 - Bombay - Travancore via Goa & Cannanore
    • 1936 - Madras to Colombo via Trichinopoly
    • 1937 - First Flight to Bhuj
    • 1937 - Delhi - Bombay via Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore
    • 1938 - Karachi - Madras extension to Colombo via Trichnopoly
    • 1938 - Trichinopoly - Trivandrum extension
    • 1938 - Mansoon halt at Poona
    • 1946 - Bombay - Calcutta via Nagpur
  • Air-India
    • 1948 Air-India International Bombay - London Flight >
      • Postage Stamps - Constant Errors
      • The Postage Stamp
      • First Day Covers
      • DG's Circular & Postal Notices
      • Official Covers
      • Air-India Covers
      • Special Flight Cachet
      • Postage Rates gallery
      • Local Cancellations
      • Private Covers Gallery
      • Interesting Places of Origin & Destinations >
        • Interesting Destinations
        • Interesting Places of Origin
        • Interesting Places of Origin & Destinations
      • More interesting covers
      • Return Flight covers
      • Other Philatelic Curiosities
      • Award winning exhibit
    • 1948 - 1953 Early Route Expansion
    • 1954 - 1959 Early Route Expansion
    • 1960 - 1965 Air-India Boeing 707 Era.
    • 1966 - 1970 Air-India Boeing 707 Era.
    • 1971 - 1975 Boeing 747 & Other Aircraft Era
    • 1976 Onward Boeing 747 & Other Aircraft Era
    • Crash Mail Covers
    • Postal Meter panels
  • Indian Airlines
    • 1960 - 1964
    • 1965 - 1969
    • 1970 - 1974
    • 1975 - 1979
    • 1980 - Onward
    • Crash Mail Covers
    • Meter Panel & Stationery
  • Foreign Airlines
    • B.O.A.C. >
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Colombo August 1952
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Singapore October 1952
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Tokyo April 1953
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Sydney March 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Tokyo July 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Colombo August-September 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Tokyo April 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Singapore June 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Sydney November 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Manila November 1961
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Auckland April 1963
      • B.O.A.C. Boeing 707 London to Nandi November 1965
      • B.O.A.C. VC 10 40th Anniversary of Regular Airmail
  • Others
    • Zeppelin & Catapult >
      • LZ-10 Schwaben
      • LZ-13 Hansa
      • LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin
      • LZ-129 Hindenberg
      • LZ-130 Graf Zeppelin II
      • Catapult Mail
      • Ephemera
    • Rocket Mail >
      • Indian Rocket Mail
      • Sikkim Rocket Mail
    • Pigeon Mail
    • Balloon Mail
    • Airship R 101
    • Indian Air Force
  • Resources
  • Useful Links
  • Contact us
  • Home
  • Pre-1953 Airlines
    • Indian State Air Services >
      • 1929 Karachi - Delhi via Hyderabad & Jodhpur
    • Delhi Flying Club >
      • 1931 Emergency Flight by Delhi Flying Club
      • 1932 Karachi - Delhi
    • Indian Trans-Continental Airways >
      • 1933 Karachi - Calcutta >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Karachi - Calcutta
        • 1933 Westwards: Calcutta to Karachi
      • 1933 Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab >
        • 1933 Eastwards: Calcutta - Rangoon via Akyab
        • 1933 Westwards: Rangoon - Calcutta via Akyab
      • 1933 Karachi - Singapore Extension
      • 1934 Karachi - Australia Extension
      • 1936 Rangoon - Hong Kong
    • Indian National Airways >
      • 1933 Calcutta - Dacca
      • 1933 Rangoon - Calcutta
      • 1934 Karachi - Lahore
      • 1940 Karachi - Calcutta via Lahore
      • 1939 Karachi - Delhi
      • 1947 Calcutta - Rangoon
    • Madras Air Taxi Service
    • Experimental & Survey Flights. >
      • 1931 England - Australia Flight >
        • 1st Experimental Flight
        • 2nd Experimental Flight
      • 1938 Flying Boat Coogee
    • Star Line
  • Tata Airlines
    • 1931 - Karachi - Madras: Route Survey Flight
    • 1932 - Karachi - Madras >
      • Official Southbound
      • Official Northbound
      • Other Southbound
      • Other Northbound
      • Other Material
    • 1933 - Karachi - Madras via Poona
    • 1935 Karachi - Madras via Hyderabad >
      • 1935 - Karachi - Madras via Hyderabad
      • 1935 Bombay-Hyderabad Errors on Stamp
    • 1935 - Bombay - Calcutta demonstration flight
    • 1935 - Bombay - Travancore via Goa & Cannanore
    • 1936 - Madras to Colombo via Trichinopoly
    • 1937 - First Flight to Bhuj
    • 1937 - Delhi - Bombay via Gwalior, Bhopal & Indore
    • 1938 - Karachi - Madras extension to Colombo via Trichnopoly
    • 1938 - Trichinopoly - Trivandrum extension
    • 1938 - Mansoon halt at Poona
    • 1946 - Bombay - Calcutta via Nagpur
  • Air-India
    • 1948 Air-India International Bombay - London Flight >
      • Postage Stamps - Constant Errors
      • The Postage Stamp
      • First Day Covers
      • DG's Circular & Postal Notices
      • Official Covers
      • Air-India Covers
      • Special Flight Cachet
      • Postage Rates gallery
      • Local Cancellations
      • Private Covers Gallery
      • Interesting Places of Origin & Destinations >
        • Interesting Destinations
        • Interesting Places of Origin
        • Interesting Places of Origin & Destinations
      • More interesting covers
      • Return Flight covers
      • Other Philatelic Curiosities
      • Award winning exhibit
    • 1948 - 1953 Early Route Expansion
    • 1954 - 1959 Early Route Expansion
    • 1960 - 1965 Air-India Boeing 707 Era.
    • 1966 - 1970 Air-India Boeing 707 Era.
    • 1971 - 1975 Boeing 747 & Other Aircraft Era
    • 1976 Onward Boeing 747 & Other Aircraft Era
    • Crash Mail Covers
    • Postal Meter panels
  • Indian Airlines
    • 1960 - 1964
    • 1965 - 1969
    • 1970 - 1974
    • 1975 - 1979
    • 1980 - Onward
    • Crash Mail Covers
    • Meter Panel & Stationery
  • Foreign Airlines
    • B.O.A.C. >
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Colombo August 1952
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Singapore October 1952
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 1 Jetliner Service London to Tokyo April 1953
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Sydney March 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Tokyo July 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Britannia Turbo-Prop Airliner London to Colombo August-September 1957
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Tokyo April 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Singapore June 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Sydney November 1959
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Manila November 1961
      • B.O.A.C. Comet 4 Jetliner Service London to Auckland April 1963
      • B.O.A.C. Boeing 707 London to Nandi November 1965
      • B.O.A.C. VC 10 40th Anniversary of Regular Airmail
  • Others
    • Zeppelin & Catapult >
      • LZ-10 Schwaben
      • LZ-13 Hansa
      • LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin
      • LZ-129 Hindenberg
      • LZ-130 Graf Zeppelin II
      • Catapult Mail
      • Ephemera
    • Rocket Mail >
      • Indian Rocket Mail
      • Sikkim Rocket Mail
    • Pigeon Mail
    • Balloon Mail
    • Airship R 101
    • Indian Air Force
  • Resources
  • Useful Links
  • Contact us
33-40
Calcutta to Karachi via
​Asansol, Allahabad ,Cawnpore, Delhi & Jodhpur 

Picture
Image Courtesy: Mr. Peter Wingent

Picture

Picture
W 1-1, Calcutta - Asansol
Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Calcutta to Asansol on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which was to connect with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front is the Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet,  and the  3a 3p postage stamps tied with the Calcutta G.P.O., 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse is an Asansol, 12 Jly 33 arrival mark, on the Ritz Hotel, Calcutta, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
This cover was over-carried to Allahabad as Asansol ceased to be a stopping place on the air route after the 1st Eastward flight.

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Asansol, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse. The Asansol mail was over carried to Allahabad and then sent to Asansol.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover flown from calcutta to Asansol, Cancellation mark of Park Street Calcutta 10 Jly 33, and commemorative cachet 11 Jly 33 on the front, Verso with delivery mark Asansol 12 Jly 33. As the aircraft did not stop at Asansol, mails were carried on to Allahabad, and then delivered to Asansol.

Picture
Picture
​Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Postcard flown from Calcutta to Asansol
  
ISC 33-40: Air Mail etiquette affixed on ½ anna postcard additionally franked 1 anna 3 pies and cancelled CALCUTTA G.P.O. / 10 JLY 33 / 7 P.M. and with a boxed rectangular cachet CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL. Also on the front is an arrival mark ASANSOL / DELY / 12 JLY 33 / 7 …
 
Postcards are generally not very common on such flights.

W 1-2, Calcutta - Allahabad
Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Allahabad, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Calcutta - Allahabad flown on 11 July 33.

W 1-3, Calcutta - Cawnpore
Picture
Picture
Rare, Allahabad-Cawnpore, Jul 11th arrival ds on front, carried on first return of ITCA Trans Indian flight from Calcutta via Asansol, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Delhi and Jodhpur to Karachi, Edna Lorenz card franked 3A 3p, black boxed "Calcutta - Karachi / 11 July 33/ First Airmail" cachet, Imperial Airways / ITCA, signed Stephen Smith verso. Olny four carried, Newall 517 33.13Ae2, 120 units. Francis field authentication hs verso.

Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Cawnpore, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse.

Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
​33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Calcutta to Cawnpore on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which was to connect with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front is the Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail boxed rectangular cachet,  and the  3a 3p postage stamps tied with the Calcutta G.P.O., 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse is a Cawnpore, 11 Jly 33 arrival mark,and also a boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail applied at Cawnpore,  on an Edna Lorenz, Calcutta, cover signed by Stephen H. Smith.

Picture
Picture
11 July 1933 opening of the extension to Calcutta by Indian Trans-Continental Airways Ltd, (ITCA). Return flight Calcutta to Cawnpore.

Picture
33-45: Asansol - Calcutta flwon on 11 July 33. The flight did not halt at Asansol, and this cover was carried from Calcutta to Cawnpore.

W 1-4, Calcutta - Delhi
Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Delhi, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
Rare Imperial Airways/ITCA, Calcutta to Delhi, bs Jul 11th, carried on first return of ITCA Trans Indian flight from Calcutta via Asansol, Allahabad, and Cawnpore, official red/white/blue souvenir cover franked 3A 3p canc Calcutta cds, black boxed 514 "Calcutta-Karachi/11 Jly 33/First Airmail" cachet verso. Only 4 flown, Newall 33.13e3, 120units.

W 1-5, Calcutta - Jodhpur
Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Jodhpur, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse.

W 1-6, Calcutta - Karachi
Picture
Picture
33-45: D.P. Kapoor Commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi, tied with the rugular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cahcet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL aaplied at Calcutta as well as the arrival mark is on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
Uprated postcard from (indistinguishable) dated (perhaps 10 July 1933) and arrival stamp at Karachi 12 July 1933. 9p postcard uprated with GKV 1a to comprise 1a 9p postage for the postcard by air. Also clearly visible is the boxed rectangular first flight cachet.

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Indian Trans Continental Airways
Route extension return flight from Calcutta to Karachi
Cover sent from Calcutta to Vancouver, B.C., Canada
Flight on 11-12 July 1933
Cover mailed in New York and franked 85 cents, addressed to Bombay with the FAM No. 14 FIRST FLIGHT FROM SAN FRANCISCO TO HONG KONG cachet, and then via Imperial Airways to Karachi, and Tata Air Lines to Bombay. 18 pos Air Mail cover franked 8½ annas and cancelled CALCUTTA G.P.O. / 10 JLY 33 / 7 P.M. This was flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the inaugural return flight, and onwards to London by the connecting Imperial Airways service, and then by surface to Vancouver, B.C., Canada by surface.

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
33-40: Imperial Airways cover flown from Calcutta on 11 July 1933. Postmarked Calcutta G.P.O. 9 JLY.33. Arrival stamp of reverse Karachi dely 12 July 33. From Karachi by surface to Bombay, and then onwards to Lallaguda, Deccan, Delivery stamp Lallaguda Dely 17 July 33. Attractive use of Imperial Airways Air Mail vignettes on front and reverse.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Souvenir cover published by philatelist, D.P.  Kapur of Calcutta, flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first flight of the Calcutta - Karachi route extension of Indian Trans-Continental Airways, and connecting there on the Air Orient service from Karachi to Djask. Postmakred Calcutta G.P.O. 19 Jly 33, and arrival mark Djask, 12 VII 33. The India - Persia Air Orient service was started on 1 March 33 (ISC 33-07).

Picture
Picture

Picture

Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Official Imperial Airways souvenir Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Calcutta to London on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 8a 6p postage stamps tied with the Calcutta G.P.O., 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark and the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail applied at Calcutta. The David Ezra embossed cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith on the reverse.

Picture

Picture
Picture
33-45: Official Imperial Airways souvenir Cover addressed to Sir Phillip Sassoon, flown from Calcutta to London on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 8a 6p postage stamps tied with the Calcutta, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse is a boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail applied at Calcutta. Also with this cover is the souvenir message on Imperial Airways, Karachi stationary.

Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Postcard flown from Calcutta to London 
 
ISC 33-40: 4 anna Air Mail stationary postcard addressed to London, cancelled CALCUTTA … / 10 JLY 33 / 3 15 P.M. and with a boxed rectangular cachet CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL.
 
Postcards are generally not very common on such flights.

Picture
Picture
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Cover flown from Calcutta to Newport, England.
​ 
ISC 33-40: Souvenir cover addressed to Newport, Mon, cancelled CALCUTTA / FOR / 10 JLY 33 / 16 15 HRS and with a boxed rectangular cachet on the reverse CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL and also arrival mark NEWPORT / MON. / 18 JY / 33. An A. Phillips label is also found on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Imperial Airways special commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first ITCA flight on this route, and then onward to Italy via Imperial Airways. Cancelled Calcutta G.P.O., 10 July 33. and addressed to Italy. On the reverse there is boxed rectangular commemorative cachet, Calcutta Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail, and transit mark, Brindisi Posta Aerea, 15.7.33 and arrival mark at destination, Bolzano, 17.7.33.
Franked with 2a 6p, postage stamp + 6a. Airmail stamp, the cover is understamped and marked 'T'. However, no Italian postage due stamps are affixed on the cover.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Imperial Airways special commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first ITCA flight on this route, and then onward to Athens via Imperial Airways, and then on to Bucharest, Romania. Cancelled Calcutta G.P.O., 10 July 33. On the reverse there is boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail.
​
Franked with 2a 6p, postage stamp + 6a. Airmail stamp, the cover is understamped and marked 'T'. On the verso, Romania postage due stamps are affixed on the cover, and tied with Bucheresti Sosire, 18.VII.33 arrival mark.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Imperial Airways special commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first ITCA flight on this route, and then onward to Brindisi via Imperial Airways, and then on to Bad Tsehl, Austria. Cancelled Calcutta G.P.O., 10 July 33. On the reverse there is boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail. On the verso a Brindisi Posta Aerea, 15.7.33 transit mark.
​
Franked with 2a 6p, postage stamp + 6a. Airmail stamp, the cover is understamped and marked 'T'. Austrian postage due stamps are affixed on the front, and tied with a difficult to read arrival mark..

Picture
Picture
33-45: Imperial Airways special commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first ITCA flight on this route, and then onward to Athens via Imperial Airways, and then on to Vienna, Austria. Cancelled Calcutta G.P.O., 10 July 33. On the reverse there is boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail. On the verso a Brindisi Posta Aerea, 15.7.33 transit mark.
​​
Franked with 2a 6p, postage stamp + 6a. Airmail stamp, the cover is understamped and marked 'T'. Austrian postage due stamps are affixed on the front, and tied with Wien, 17.VII.33 arrival mark.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Imperial Airways special commemorative cover flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the first ITCA flight on this route, and then onward to Athens via Imperial Airways, and then on to Mor Ostrava, Czechoslovakia. Cancelled Calcutta G.P.O., 10 July 33. On the reverse there is boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail. On verso is also a Athens, 15.7.33 transit mark.
​
Franked with 2a 6p, postage stamp + 6a. Airmail stamp, the cover is understamped and marked 'T'. Czechoslovakian postage due stamps are affixed on the verso, and tied with Mor Ostrava, 18.VII.33 arrival mark.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Registered Air Mail sent from Calcutta to Cape Town, South Africa. Cover first flowm from Calcutta to Karachi on the ITCA first flight, and connecting thereon to the Imperial Airways Karachi - London service. Then at Cairo, connecting on the IA London - Cape-Town service, making it an unbroken flying route of 11,000 miles covered in 11 days. Tied with the regular postal cancellation on the front as well as the Cape-Town arrival stamp. The rectangular boxed cachet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL applied at Calcutta as well as a faint transit mark on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Registered Air Mail sent from Alberton, South Australia to London,England. Cover first flowm from Adelaide to Perth and then from Calcutta to Karachi on the ITCA first flight, and connecting thereon to the Imperial Airways Karachi - London service. Tied with the regular postal cancellation. The rectangular boxed cachet, CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL applied at Calcutta as well as the various transit marks are  on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
Picture
33-45: Official Imperial Airways cover posted in Karachi and obliterated with the regular postal cancellation and beside this is the round postmark, KARACHI, 11 JLY 33, and with the NEWPORT, 18 JLY 33 arrival mark.

Picture
Picture
​Cover franked 10a 6p and postmarked CALCUTTA G.P.O., 8 JUL 33 and bearing the blue AIR MAIL etiquette on the front, and on boxed first flight rectangular cachet on the reverse. Also on reverse, NAIROBI, KENYA, 18 JY 33 arrival mark and NAIROBI, KENYA, 21 JY 33 despatch mark with LIMURU, KENYA, 21 JY 33 postmark. Also a faint circular park on reverse, which is probably a Cairo transit mark.

W 2-2, Asansol - Allahabad
Picture
Picture
33-45: Asansol - Allahabad flown on 11 July 33. The flight did not halt at Asansol, and this cover was carried from Calcutta to Allahabad.

Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, intended to be flown from Asansol to Allahabad on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark and on the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail, and the Allahabad, Dely, 11 Jly 33 arrival mark.Cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith on the reverse.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

W 2-3, Asansol - Cawnpore
Picture
Picture
33-45: Asansol - Cawnpore flown on 11 July 33. The flight did not halt at Asansol, and this cover was carried from Calcutta to cawnpore.
Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, intended to be flown from Asansol to Cawnpore on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the UR Wanted on the telephone slogan mark, and besides these is the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail, and the Cawnpore, Dep., 11 Jly 33 arrival mark. The Cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

W 2-4, Asansol - Delhi
Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
​33-45: Cover addressed to A. Hales, intended to be flown from Asansol to Delhi on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the UR Wanted on the telephone slogan mark, and besides this is the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail, and the Delhi G.P.O., Dely., 11 Jly 33 arrival mark. The Ritz Hotel, Calcutta, Cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

W 2-5, Asansol - Jodhpur
Picture
33-45: Original Filing slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to A. Hales, intended to be flown from Asansol to Jodhpur on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the UR Wanted on the telephone slogan mark, and besides this is the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail. The David Ezra embossed cover  is signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

W 2-6, Asansol - Karachi
Picture
Picture

Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, intended to be flown from Asansol to Karachi on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the UR Wanted on the telephone slogan mark, and besides this is the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail, and the Karachi, dely, 12 Jly 33 arrival stamp. The cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, intended to be flown from Asansol to London on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 8&1/2a postage stamps tied with the UR Wanted on the telephone slogan mark, and besides this is the Asansol, 10 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail. The cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.
 
Owing to Asansol having ceased as an air stop after the 1st flight Eastward, the mail intended for transmission by air via the 1st Westward flight was forwarded to Dum Dum Aerodrome by ordinary route, and then flown from here.

Picture
Picture
First acceptance of Indian mail for East Africa, Asansol to Nairobi, bs 18/7 arrival ds on front and verso, carried on first return of ITCA Trans Indian Flight from Calcutta via Asansol, Allahabad, Cawnpore, Delhi and Jodhpur to Karachi, connecting with IAW Karachi - London flight IW 185, the at Cairo 14 Jly transit cds, with IAW London - Cape Town flight AS 86 (see Wingent), plain cover franked 10 1/2A, black boxed 'Calcutta-Karachi/11 Jly 33/first Airmail' cachet verso, Imperial Airways / ITCA.Very 516 small mail, eg from Asansol only 15 dispatched to Alexandria and 4 to London, see Newall n346.

W 3-3, Allahabad - Cawnpore
Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Ezra, flown from Allahabad to Cawnpore on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Allahabad, and besides this is the Allahabad G.P.O., 11 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark.  On the reverse there is the Cawnpore, Dep., 11 Jly 33, arrival mark and the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail applied on arrival at Cawnpore. The cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.

W 3-4, Allahabad - Delhi
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to the Pelman Institute Ltd, flwon from Allahabad to Delhi on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi - Calcutta route extesnion of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with Imperial Airways Karachi - Croydon service for onward carriade of Mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamp tied with boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta - Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Allahabad, and besides this is the Allahabad G.P.O., 11 Jly 33 circular postal cancellation mark. On the reverse there is the Delhi G.P.O., Dely., 11 Jly 33, Arrival mark.

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
33-45: Allahabad - Delhi flown on 11 July 33.

Picture
Picture
33-40: Official cover flown from Allahabad to Delhi, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI - CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, and the Regular Postal Cancellation at Allahabad. Arrival marks at Simla and New Delhi on the reverse.

W 3-5, Allahabad - Jodhpur
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Official Imperial Airways cover posted in Allahabad and obliterated with the boxed rectangular cachet CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JLY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, and with the ALLAHABAD G.P.O., 11 JLY 33 cancellation mark to the side.

W 3-6, Allahabad - Karachi
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Cover flown from Allahabad to Athens
 
ISC 33-40: Souvenir cover addressed to Athens, franked 9½ annas and cancelled with the boxed rectangular cachet on the reverse CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL and also bearing a cds on the side ALLAHABAD G.P.O. / 11 JLY 33 / 7 – A.M. On the reverse we have the Athens arrival mark dated 15 III 33 – 17, and an A. Phillips label is also found on the reverse.

Picture
Picture
Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Cover flown from Allahabad to Birmingham
 
ISC 33-40: Souvenir cover addressed to Athens, franked 8½ annas and cancelled with the boxed rectangular cachet on the reverse CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL and also bearing a cds on the side ALLAHABAD G.P.O. / 11 JLY 33 / 7 – A.M. The cover also has a ½ d value stamp cancelled CAMPHILL D.O. BIRMINGHAM / 18 JY 33 / 3 45 P.M.

Picture
Picture

33-40: Official cover flwon from Allahabad to London, tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, KARACHI - CALCUTTA, 7 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, and the Regular Postal Cancellation at Allahabad, and also the Arrival marks on the front.

Picture
Picture
India-South West Africa
Allahabad - Karachi -Windhoek July 11th 1933
First Flight by Indian Trans-Continental Airways from Calcutta to Karachi on the July 11th. Allahabad-Cawnpore-Delhi-Jodhpur-Karachi and the by Imperial Airways London route Gwadar-Sharjah-Yes-Bahrain-Kuwait-Basra-Baghdad-Gaza-Alexandria-Cairo, and then transferred at Cairo using the Africa route Cairo-Assiut-Aswan-Wadi Halfa-Atbara-Khartoum-Kosti-Malakal-Juba-Kampala-Kisumu-Nairobi-Moshi-Dodoma-Mbeya-Mpika-Broken Hill-Salisbury-Bulawayo-Pietermaritzburg-Johaneshburg then feeder service Kimberley-Upington-Keetsmanskoop-Mariental-Rehoboth and Windhoek arrival July 23rd 1933.

W 4-4, Cawnpore - Delhi
Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to A. Hales, flown from Cawnpore to Delhi on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Cawnpore.  On the reverse there is the Delhi G.P.O., Dely., 11 Jly 33. The David Ezra embossed cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.

W 4-5, Cawnpore - Jodhpur
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cawnpore - Jodhpur on 11 July 33.

Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to A. Hales, flown from Cawnpore to Jodhpur on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Cawnpore.  On the reverse there is the the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail applied at Jodhpur on arrival. The David Ezra embossed cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.

Picture
Picture
33-40: Cover flown from cawnpore to Jodhpur. Commemorative Cachet 11 Jly 33 on the front. On verso another commemorative cachet 11 Jly 33, and signature of Stephen H. Smith.

W 4-6, Cawnpore - Karachi
Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
​Imperial Airways extension to Calcutta with Indian Trans-Continental Airways
Cover flown from Cawnpore to Dares Salaam
 
ISC 33-40: Souvenir cover addressed to Dares Salam, franked 10½ annas and cancelled with the boxed rectangular cachet on the reverse CALCUTTA- KARACHI / 11 JLY 33 / FIRST / AIRMAIL applied at Cawnpore, and also bearing arrival cds on the side DARESSALAM / 19 JY / 1933 / 4 15 PM. On the reverse is a CAIRE / PAR AVION / 14 JY 33 transit stamp. The cover was later re-directed to England.

Picture
Picture
33-45: Registered Air Mail sent from Cawnpore, to Keetmanshoop, South Africa. Cover first flown from Calcutta to Karachi on the ITCA first flight, and connecting thereon to the Imperial Airways Karachi - London service. Then at Cairo, connecting on to the IA London-Cape-Town service, making it an unbroken flying route of 11,000 miles covered in 11 days. Tied with the rectangular boxed cachet, CALCUTTA-KARACHI, 11 JULY33, FIRST AIRMAIL on the front as well as the Keetmanshoop arrival stamp. A transit mark at Cairo is on the reverse.

Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Exra, flown from Cawnpore to Karachi on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 3a 3p postage stamps tied with the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Cawnpore.  On the reverse there is the the arrival mark, Karachi, Dely, Window, 12 Jly 33. The cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith.

Picture
33-45: Original Fling slip written with various details mentioned.
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cover addressed to Lady Exra, flown from Cawnpore to London on the first flight of the return leg of the Karachi – Calcutta route extension of the Indian Trans-Continental Airways, which connected with the Imperial Airways Karachi – Croydon service for onward carriage of mail. On the front are the 8&1/2 a postage stamps tied with the boxed rectangular cachet, Calcutta – Karachi, 11 Jly 33, First Airmail used as an obliterator at Cawnpore.  The David Ezra embossed cover is signed by Stephen H. Smith on the reverse.

W 5-5, Delhi - Jodhpur
Picture
Picture
Delhi - Jodhpur 11 July 1933

Picture
Picture
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Jodhpur, tied with the rectangular postal slogan boxed cachet at Simal and the special flight cancellation, CALCUTTA-KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, also on the front. Arrival mark on the verso.

W 5-6, Delhi - Karachi
Picture
Picture
33-45: Cancelled ARMY HEADQUARTERS, SIMLA, 12 JUL,33, this cover flew from Delhi to Croydon, and the on to Dublin, Ireland. Carried on the first return flight return flight of Indian Transcontinental Airways, Calcutta-Karachi-London service. Karachi 14/7 transit cds, non philatelic airmail etiquette cover franked with 8 1/2a. The cover bear an embossed bluw logo of a spear and a crown with 'A Cuspide Corona' text. This was the crest of the Irish Broderick family.

Picture
Picture
Delhi - Karachi 10 July 1933.

Picture
Picture
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Karachi, tied with the rectangular postal slogan boxed cachet at Simal and the special flight cancellation, CALCUTTA-KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, also on the front. Arrival mark on the verso.

Picture
Picture
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Athens, cover first flown from Delhi to Karachi on the ITCA first flight and connecting thereon to the Imperial Airways Karachi - London service. Tied with the rectangular postal slogan boxed cachet at Simal and the special flight cancellation, CALCUTTA-KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, also on the front. Arrival mark on the verso.

Picture
Picture
33-40: Official cover flown from Delhi to Athens, cover first flown from Delhi to Karachi on the ITCA first flight and connecting thereon to the Imperial Airways Karachi - London service. Tied with the rectangular postal slogan boxed cachet at Simal and the special flight cancellation, CALCUTTA-KARACHI, 11 JULY 33, FIRST AIRMAIL, also on the front. Arrival mark on the verso.

W 6-6, Jodhpur - Karachi
Picture
Picture
​

Picture
Picture

Picture
Picture
Official Imperial Airwyas cover posted in Jodhpur and obliterated with the boxed rectangular cachet CALCUTTA - KARACHI, 11 JLY 33. FIRST AIRMAIL, and with the RAMPISHAM, 17 JLY 33 arrival mark to the side.
Important Copyright Notice: The information and images contained in this web-site cannot be copied or used for any purpose without permission. Copyright of some items listed here belong to other respective owners, and some belong to us, while some are from the public domain. Hence, in order to avoid future complications, please contact us for any such requirement, by clicking this link, and we will respond appropriately. Any violation of this policy, may lead to prosecution of a Civil or Criminal nature, or both, solely at the infringers risk and cost.

We watermark images on our website. The intention is not to assert our copyright on all such images, but merely to discourage anyone from unauthorized copying and reproducing images from this website. The copyright to some of these images belongs to us, while others to their respective owners, while others are from the public domain.​
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 © COPYRIGHT 2016. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.