The designer / creator of the envelope was probably the sender B Blumenthal of Brisbane in 1935.

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, Australia to New Zealand on the aircraft 'Southern Cross', paper, sent by B Blumenthal, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1935

Envelope carried on the aircraft 'Southern Cross' between Australia and New Zealand. The address and postal instructions are typed in purple ink. The envelope has an airmail label and registered post label from Brisbane. There are four Australian stamps. Two commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V's reign and depict the King in uniform on a horse. One stamp depicts an aircraft between two world globes and has been stamped 'OS'. The fourth stamp commemorates the centenary of John Macarthur's death and depicts a merino sheep in a field. There are two registerd post postmarks on the front of the envelope, from Brisbane, dated 9 May 1935. The envelope has been signed by P G Taylor in light blue pen.

On the back of the envelope are three postmarks. One is from Wellington, New Zealand, dated 23 May 1935. Another is from New Plymouth, New Zealand, dated 24 May 1935. The third is a registered post postmark from Brisbane, dated 9 May 1935.

Made: Brisbane, Queensland; 1935

Signature on front of envelope, handwritten in light blue pen 'P.G. Taylor / (underline)'

Postmarks on front of envelope, stamped in black ink 'REGISTERED / BRISBANE / 1.30A 9MY35'

Postmark on back of envelope, stamped in black ink 'REGISTERED / BRISBANE / 1.30A 9MY35'

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

Postmark on back of envelope, stamped in black ink 'NEW PLYMOUTH / N.Z / 24MY.35.4-PM'

Letter on front of envelope in upper right corner, handwritten in red pen 'R'

Notation on front of envelope, handwritten in pencil '10d / N.Z Stamp / here'

Notation on back of envelope, handwritten in pencil 'B/R'

85/112-13

1935

127 mm

159 mm