Newfoundland C1

1919 (April 12) Three Red Brown Hawker Flight, a highly desirable mint example of this famous pioneer airmail rarity, very well centered for this notoriously challenging stamp and displaying full intact perforations all around, characteristic bright colour and clear impression, full original gum with just the barest trace of hinging; customary "J.A.R." initials (Dr. J. Alex. Robinson, Postmaster General) on reverse. A beautiful and exceptionally fresh mint example of the first Trans-Atlantic postage stamp, Very Fine, Lightly Hinged    (Unitrade C1; catalogue value $40,000+)

Expertization: 2008 Philatelic Foundation certificate

ONLY 200 STAMPS WERE OVERPRINTED AND 95 OF THESE WERE USED FOR THE FRANKING OF COVERS CARRIED ON THE ILL-FATED FLIGHT. A TOTAL OF JUST 87 MINT EXAMPLES WERE REPORTED SHORTLY AFTER ISSUANCE; IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY THAT FEWER EXIST TODAY, AFTER MORE THAN 100 YEARS.