The maker of the envelope is unknown. The envelope was sent from Sydney 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 return flight of the 'Southern Cross' from New Zealand never eventuated.

The suitcase is in the National Library of Australia collection.

Philatelic cover, Jubilee air mail Australia to New Zealand, from Sydney, with 'too late' cachet, 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 residence in Sydney. 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. There is a 'received too late' purple ink cachet diagonally across the envelope. The envelope has two Australian stamps; one depicts King George V in uniform on a horse, the other an aircraft flying between two world globes. A New Zealand stamp depicts an aircraft flying over the New Zealand air terminal. There are three postmarks from Diamond Bay, NSW, date illegible. On the back of the envelope is a postmark form Sydney, dated 14 May 1935.

Made: Australia; 1935

Cachet on front of envelope, stamped in purple ink 'Received Too Late For / Jubilee Air Mail / (illeg. incomplete) Addressed By / Ordinary Mail'

Postmarks on front of envelope, stamped in black ink 'DIAMOND BAY / N.S.W. / (date illeg)'

Postmark on back of envelope, stamped in black ink '3 AIR MAIL 3 / SYDNEY NSW / 4-P14MY35'

85/112-15

1935

89 mm

144 mm