The maker of the envelope is unknown. The envelope was sent from Launceston, Tasmania or nearby.

Charles Kingsford Smith, along with co-pilot P G Taylor and radio operator John Stannage, attempted to fly from Australia to New Zealand in the 'Southern Cross' to gain the contract for a trans-Tasman airmail service. The flight was also to celebrate the 25th Jubilee of King George V. They encountered engine trouble halfway across the Tasman Sea and were saved by Taylor climbing out of the cockpit and transferring oil from one engine to another using a thermos flask and a leather suitcase. For this action, Taylor received an Empire Gallantry Medal, later changed to a George Cross. The cargo and most of the mail bags were dumped and the plane and its crew returned to Sydney.

The suitcase is in the National Library of Australia collection.

E Crome saw the plane and crew take off from Richmond Air Force Base, NSW. According to information provided by Mr Crome 'All of the New South Wales mail bags went into the sea, as did mine, but six envelopes given to Smithy at Richmond as a personal memento, and carried in his pocket, came back to me, suitably endorsed by Flight Organiser, Jack Percival. A few small bags of mail from Brisbane - Melbourne - Launceston, and Adelaide were saved, with a total of less than 1000 letters.'

Philatelic cover, Jubilee air mail Australia to New Zealand, from Launceston, paper, maker unknown, Australia, 1935

Jubilee Air Mail envelope commemorating the reign of King George V and the fourth Australia-New Zealand-Australia flight by Charles Kingsford Smith. The cover is addressed to a place in New Zealand. The decorative motif at the bottom of the envelope has the Australian continent, marked with Richmond, and an aircraft heading east. New Zealand, marked with New Plymouth, with an aircraft heading west is in the lower right corner of the envelope. Text is between the two countries. The envelope has three Australian stamps. Two of the stamps depict King George V in uniform on a horse and the other depicts Parliament House in Canberra in 1927. A female figure in the foreground holds a branch in one hand and a round shield in the other. There is a postmark from Launceston, Tasmania, dated 11 May 1935. The cover has been signed by P G Taylor. On the back of the envelope is a postmark from Launceston, dated 11 May 1935 and a postmark from Wellington, New Zealand, dated 23 May 1935.

Made: Australia; 1935

Postmark on front of envelope, stamped in black ink 'LAUNCESTON / TAS / 230A11MY35'

Signature on front of envelope, handwritten in blue ink 'P.G. Taylor'

Postmark on back of envelope, stamped in black ink 'LAUNCESTON / TAS / 10-A11MY35'

Postmark on back of envelope, stamped in black ink 'WELLINGTON / NZ / 23MY35 / 1'

85/112-10

1935

89 mm

144 mm