Other Northbound Covers
32-70
1st flight by Tata Sons Ltd
between Madras and Karachi on 17 October, 1932
32-70
1st flight by Tata Sons Ltd
between Madras and Karachi on 17 October, 1932
1-1, Madars - Bellary
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The cover sent from Madras to Bellary on 17 October 1932 has a rare TATA AND SONS Ltd. AIR SERVICE oval cachet on the reverse. Very few examples are known.
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Madras had issued a special cancellation mark only for the first airmail flight, inscribed as ‘MADRAS-KARACHI AIRMAIL’. Unfortunately, no clear example is available of this attractive large round cancellation mark, correctly franked 3a 3p (1a on the front and 2a 3p on the reverse.
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1-2, Madras - Bombay
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Cover from Ceylon to Bombay using private cachet ‘MADRAS - KARACHI AIR MAIL SERVICE, FIRST FLIGHT’
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Cover from Ceylon dated 15 October 1932 Delivery Bombay 18 October 1932
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Cover from Madras to Hyderabad (Deccan) flown Madras - Bombay on first Airmail flight and onward to Hyderabad by surface
Cover franked 3a 6p, which is over-stamped by 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic air mail fee).
Cover franked 3a 6p, which is over-stamped by 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic air mail fee).
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1-3, Madras - Ahmedabad
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1-4, Madras - Karachi
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Ceylon
After going by rail to Madras, the cover was flown to Brindisi where the air label was cancelled. A part air postmarks was applied, 23rd, and the cover was returned by rail to Athens and backstamped on the 25th. There was no Madras - Karachi cachet as the a mail from Ceylon was bagged directly to Brindisi.
After going by rail to Madras, the cover was flown to Brindisi where the air label was cancelled. A part air postmarks was applied, 23rd, and the cover was returned by rail to Athens and backstamped on the 25th. There was no Madras - Karachi cachet as the a mail from Ceylon was bagged directly to Brindisi.
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Cover from Bezwada to Freiberg, Germany cancelled BEZWADA 14 October 1932 and flown from Madras to Athens on the First Airmail flight and Imperial Airways starting on 17 October 1932
Cover franked 12a, which is over-stamped by 6p as the correct postage rate to Germany was 11a 6p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 8a).
Cover franked 12a, which is over-stamped by 6p as the correct postage rate to Germany was 11a 6p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 8a).
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Cover to Britain cancelled COLOMBO 15 October 1932 with arrival in Britain on 26 October 1932
This was the first dispatch connecting by rail with the old route at Madras. This mail to Britain did not receive the first flight cachet.
This was the first dispatch connecting by rail with the old route at Madras. This mail to Britain did not receive the first flight cachet.
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Madras - Karachi AIR cds 17 October 1932. Karachi arrival cds 19 Oct 1932.
MADRAS - KARACHI boxed cachet on reverse.
MADRAS - KARACHI boxed cachet on reverse.
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Cover all the way by air from Madras to Delhi via Karachi on the first Airmail flight. Also the cover showing the Red Jusqu’a mark put at Karachi
Both covers flew Karachi - Madras and back on this flight and Karachi - Delhi and back on the Delhi Flying Club mail service. Also both covers correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic air mail fee).
Both covers flew Karachi - Madras and back on this flight and Karachi - Delhi and back on the Delhi Flying Club mail service. Also both covers correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic air mail fee).
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Cover from Madras to Rutba Wells cancelled MADRAS 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Rutba Wells on 24 October 1932
Cover franked with 5a 8p over-stamped by 9p for the rate to Iraq (printed matter rate including air fee 5a).
Cover franked with 5a 8p over-stamped by 9p for the rate to Iraq (printed matter rate including air fee 5a).
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Unique cover from Madras Mauritius cancelled MADRAS 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at MAURITIUS 13 November 1932
This cover had a rather interesting journey
1. Madras to Karachi on TATA & Sons Ltd. First Flight (17-18 October 1932).
2. Karachi to Cairo by the Imperial Airways, Karachi - London service IW-185 (19-22 October 1932); Cairo arrival stamp visible on the reverse.
3. Cairo to Nairobi on the Imperial Airways Africa service AS-86 (23-26 October 1932) with 26 October Nairobi transit mark.
4. Nairobi to Daressalam by surface, arrival mark on 27 October 1932.
5. From there on to Mauritius by sea arriving on 13 November 1932.
This cover had a rather interesting journey
1. Madras to Karachi on TATA & Sons Ltd. First Flight (17-18 October 1932).
2. Karachi to Cairo by the Imperial Airways, Karachi - London service IW-185 (19-22 October 1932); Cairo arrival stamp visible on the reverse.
3. Cairo to Nairobi on the Imperial Airways Africa service AS-86 (23-26 October 1932) with 26 October Nairobi transit mark.
4. Nairobi to Daressalam by surface, arrival mark on 27 October 1932.
5. From there on to Mauritius by sea arriving on 13 November 1932.
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Non-Philatelic mails are seldom seen on the first Airmail Karachi - Madras flight. Cover cancelled MOUNT ROAD MADRAS 17 October 1932 and sent to Argyle, Scotland with 8 annas and 9 pies postage. Since it was under-stamped it has a ‘T’ Hand Stamp and the 3D underpaid postage recovery hand-stamped.
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Cover from Madras to Cape Town cancelled MADRAS 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Cape Town on 30 October 1932
Cover franked 16a 9p, which is under-stamped by 2a. The correct postage rate to Cape Town is 18a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 16a).
Cover franked 16a 9p, which is under-stamped by 2a. The correct postage rate to Cape Town is 18a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 16a).
2-2, Bellary - Bombay
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King George V 1 anna 3 pies postal stationery cover franked with an additional 2 annas postage stamp making the correct total of 3 annas 3 pies domestic airmail letter postage rate.
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Special flight cover privately prepared ‘‘BY FIRST FLIGHT. MADRAS-BOMBAY-KARACHI.’ Cover correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic airmail fee).
Cover also shows the Jusqu’a mark in Red
Cover also shows the Jusqu’a mark in Red
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Cover from Bellary to Bombay carried by the first Airmail flight on 15th October 1932
On the northward journey, at Bellary, the Cachet was randomly applied. Here is an example of a Registered letter to Bombay with the Cachet dated 18 OCT 32 applied both on the front and reverse. Correctly franked 6a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic airmail fee + 3a registration fee).
On the northward journey, at Bellary, the Cachet was randomly applied. Here is an example of a Registered letter to Bombay with the Cachet dated 18 OCT 32 applied both on the front and reverse. Correctly franked 6a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic airmail fee + 3a registration fee).
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Cover from Bellary to Bombay with Red Jusqu’a Mark
On the northbound journey, Jusqu’a mark was applied invariably in Red on all mails. This cover flown from Bellary to Bombay has the Red Jusqu’a mark on the front. Cover Correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p for surface letter rate + 2a for domestic airmail fee).
Red Jusqu’a Mark put on the cover at Bombay during the northward journey indicating the termination of the airmail journey
On the northbound journey, Jusqu’a mark was applied invariably in Red on all mails. This cover flown from Bellary to Bombay has the Red Jusqu’a mark on the front. Cover Correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p for surface letter rate + 2a for domestic airmail fee).
Red Jusqu’a Mark put on the cover at Bombay during the northward journey indicating the termination of the airmail journey
2-3, Bellary - Ahmedabad
2-4, Bellary - Karachi
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1st Flight by Tata Sons Ltd. Return flight between Madras to Karachi, 17-Oct-32.
Flown Bombay - Madras stage
32-75: Air Mail cover flown from Bellary to Karachi.
Flown Bombay - Madras stage
32-75: Air Mail cover flown from Bellary to Karachi.
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1st Flight by Tata Sons Ltd. Return flight between Madras to Karachi, 17-Oct-32.
Cover flown from Bellary to Karachi
32-75: Air Mail cover flown from Bellary to Karachi on this flight, and onwards to Athens by Imperial Airways connection at Karachi. Postmarked BELLARY, 18 OCT 32.
Cover flown from Bellary to Karachi
32-75: Air Mail cover flown from Bellary to Karachi on this flight, and onwards to Athens by Imperial Airways connection at Karachi. Postmarked BELLARY, 18 OCT 32.
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Cover from Bellary to Khartoum cancelled BELLARY 18 October 1932 arrival mark at Khartoum 24 October 1932
Cover franked 6a 9p (printed matter surface rate 9p + air fee 6a), which is the correct rate to Sudan.
Cover franked 6a 9p (printed matter surface rate 9p + air fee 6a), which is the correct rate to Sudan.
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Cover from Bellary to Johannesburg cancelled BELLARY 18 October 1932 and arrival mark Johannesburg dated 31 October 1932
Cover franked 16a 9p, which is under-stamped by 2a. The correct postage rate to Johannesburg is 18a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 16a).
Cover franked 16a 9p, which is under-stamped by 2a. The correct postage rate to Johannesburg is 18a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 16a).
3-3, Bombay - Ahmedabad
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First Madras – Karachi airmail service by Tata
Postcard flown from Bombay to Ahmedabad
ISC 32-70: 9 paise stationary postcard with additional 2 annas franking for the airmail service and cancelled BOMBAY FOREIGN / 17 OCT 32 with the boxed rectangular first flight cachet MADRAS-KARACHI / 18 OCT 32 / FIRST / AIRMAIL and a violet handstamp MADRAS-KARACHI / AIR MAIL SERVICE, FIRST FLIGHT. The reverse has an attractive Sanchi Stupa Indian State Railway publicity label and an arrival mark AHMEDABAD / 19 OCT 32 / 7 30 A.M. and also the first flight cachet applied upon arrival at Ahmedabad on 18th October.
Postcard flown from Bombay to Ahmedabad
ISC 32-70: 9 paise stationary postcard with additional 2 annas franking for the airmail service and cancelled BOMBAY FOREIGN / 17 OCT 32 with the boxed rectangular first flight cachet MADRAS-KARACHI / 18 OCT 32 / FIRST / AIRMAIL and a violet handstamp MADRAS-KARACHI / AIR MAIL SERVICE, FIRST FLIGHT. The reverse has an attractive Sanchi Stupa Indian State Railway publicity label and an arrival mark AHMEDABAD / 19 OCT 32 / 7 30 A.M. and also the first flight cachet applied upon arrival at Ahmedabad on 18th October.
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Cover dated 17th October 1932 flown from Bombay to Ahmedabad; which was flown on the Bombay - Ahmedabad leg of the first Airmail flight on 18th October 1932. Correctly franked 2a 9p (9p for printed matter surface rate + 2a domestic airmail fee)
The cover shows a globe with two encircling bands and an aeroplane indicating the whole world is connected by airmail
The design printed on the reverse indicates the flight path of the Karachi - Madras First Flight of TATA & Sons Ltd.
The cover shows a globe with two encircling bands and an aeroplane indicating the whole world is connected by airmail
The design printed on the reverse indicates the flight path of the Karachi - Madras First Flight of TATA & Sons Ltd.
3-4, Bombay - Karachi
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Cover dated 17th October 1932 flown from Bombay to Rutba Wells in Iraq; which was flown on the Bombay - Karachi leg of the first Airmail flight on 18th October 1932. Franked 5a 9p, which is over-stamped by 9p as the printed matter rate to Iraq including air fee was 5a.
The cover shows a ship and says ‘1630 - 6 months’, which means the journey of a letter from London to Calcutta used to take 6 months in 1630 when it was carried by ships; and the aeroplane says ‘1930 - 6 days’, which means in 1930 the journey time was reduced to 6 days by using airmails. This reflects the Communication Revolution brought out by the Airmail.
The design printed on the reverse of covers indicates the flight path of the Karachi - Madras First Flight of TATA & Sons Ltd.
The cover shows a ship and says ‘1630 - 6 months’, which means the journey of a letter from London to Calcutta used to take 6 months in 1630 when it was carried by ships; and the aeroplane says ‘1930 - 6 days’, which means in 1930 the journey time was reduced to 6 days by using airmails. This reflects the Communication Revolution brought out by the Airmail.
The design printed on the reverse of covers indicates the flight path of the Karachi - Madras First Flight of TATA & Sons Ltd.
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Cover with an Imperial Airways Label and Speedbird Logo truncated used on this cover from Bombay to Karachi on 18 October 1932. Capt. Finglass was in charge of Karachi airport at that time. Cover correctly franked with 3a 3p (1a 3p surface letter rate + 2a domestic air fee).
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Mail from Bombay to Gwadur postmarked Bombay 17 October 1932 and arrival mark of Gwadur 19 October 1932
The Cover franked 3a 9p, which is under-stamped by 6p to Baluchistan. The cover should have franked 5a 3p
(surface letter rate 1a 3p + air fee 4a).
The Cover franked 3a 9p, which is under-stamped by 6p to Baluchistan. The cover should have franked 5a 3p
(surface letter rate 1a 3p + air fee 4a).
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The BOMBAY FOREIGN cancellation was also used on domestic airmail out of Bombay, perhaps because the only airmail so far from Bombay was the foreign mail. Correctly franked 3a 3p (1a 3p for surface letter rate + 2a for domestic airmail fee).
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Official First Flight by Tata Sons Ltd, Between Karachi - Madras, 18-Oct-32
The first official flight of the Tata Sons Ltd air mail service from Karachi to Madras too place on 15th October 1932, via Ahmedabad, Bombay and Bellary. The return flight of this service was on the 18th October 1932, on which there were special and ordinary flown covers carrried.
This cover was carried on the return flight, and is marked "MADRAS-KARACHI AIR MAIL SERVICE, FIRST FLIGHT", and bears the Bombay stage amrk.
The first official flight of the Tata Sons Ltd air mail service from Karachi to Madras too place on 15th October 1932, via Ahmedabad, Bombay and Bellary. The return flight of this service was on the 18th October 1932, on which there were special and ordinary flown covers carrried.
This cover was carried on the return flight, and is marked "MADRAS-KARACHI AIR MAIL SERVICE, FIRST FLIGHT", and bears the Bombay stage amrk.
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Cover from Bombay to Sharjah, postmarked BOMBAY 17 October 1932
Cover flown on the Madras - Karachi flight on 18 October 1932 with transit mark at Bahrain on the reverse. The cover is franked 8a 6p on the verso..
Cover flown on the Madras - Karachi flight on 18 October 1932 with transit mark at Bahrain on the reverse. The cover is franked 8a 6p on the verso..
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Cover from Bombay to Baghdad cancelled BOMBAY 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Baghdad on 21 October 1932
Cover franked with 8a 8p which is the correct rate to Baghdad (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 5a).
Cover franked with 8a 8p which is the correct rate to Baghdad (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 5a).
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Cover from Bombay to Basra cancelled BOMBAY 17 OCT 32 and arrival mark at BASRA 22 OCT 32
Cover correctly franked 8a 9p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 5a).
Cover correctly franked 8a 9p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 5a).
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Cover from Bombay to Tiberias cancelled BOMBAY 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Tiberias on 22 October 1932
Cover franked with 6a 8p which is the correct rate to Palestine (printed matter surface rate 9p + air fee 6a).
Cover franked with 6a 8p which is the correct rate to Palestine (printed matter surface rate 9p + air fee 6a).
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Cover from Bombay to Stockholm cancelled BOMBAY 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Malmo on 24 October 1932
Cover correctly franked 11a 6p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 8a).
Cover correctly franked 11a 6p (surface letter rate 3a 6p + air fee 8a).
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Cover from Bombay to Dumbarton, Scotland cancelled BOMBAY 17 October 1932 with arrival mark at Dumbarton 25 October 1932
Cover franked 12a; which is under-stamped by 1a 6p as the total postage of registered air mail to Scotland is 13a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 8a + registration 3a).
Cover franked 12a; which is under-stamped by 1a 6p as the total postage of registered air mail to Scotland is 13a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 8a + registration 3a).
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The total postage to Uganda was 12a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 10a). The cover is franked 10a 6p, which is under-stamped by 1a 9p.
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Cover flew all the way to Kisumu by First Indian State Air Service (ISAS) from Jodhpur to Karachi, then on Imperial Airways to East Africa via Cairo. Cover franked 1a 9p, which is under-stamped by 2a (Surface letter rate 2a 6p + Air fee of 10a, totalling to 12a 6p).
4-4, Ahmedabad - Karachi
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1st Flight by Tata Sons Ltd. Return flight between Madras and Karachi
Cover flown from Ahmedaba to Karachi, 17 October 1932
32-75: Air mail cover flown from Ahmedabad to Karachi on this flight, and onwards to Athens by Imperial Airways connection at Karachi Postmarked AHMEDABAD, 14 OCT 32.
Cover flown from Ahmedaba to Karachi, 17 October 1932
32-75: Air mail cover flown from Ahmedabad to Karachi on this flight, and onwards to Athens by Imperial Airways connection at Karachi Postmarked AHMEDABAD, 14 OCT 32.
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Cover franked 8a 9p; which is under-stamped by 2a as the total postage to London is 10a 6p (surface letter rate 2a 6p + air fee 8a).
Cover from Ahmedabad to London cancelled AHMEDABAD 18 October 1932 and arrival mark at Kensington London 25 October 1932
Cover from Ahmedabad to London cancelled AHMEDABAD 18 October 1932 and arrival mark at Kensington London 25 October 1932