Lot
695 
United States, First Flight Cover Collection, 1935-85, exceptional collection of over 100 covers arranged and annotated in two binders, including 1935 survey flights with scarce Wake Island USS Nitro cover signed J.G. Johnson, 1936 press flight cover and 1937 New Zealand survey flights, majority of covers are FAM 14 route including 1935 U.S. and Philippine flights and great 1937 extension flights to and from China, Macau and Hong Kong, also 1941 Philippines plus misc. 1947-69 items, other Asia and a 1985 50th Anniversary flight with five back stamps, very clean and worthwhile (no photo). Estimate $750 - 1,000.
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Realized: $1,150
Lot
696
United States, 1945 Wake Island First Flight, 6¢ Airmail entire canceled by "U.S. Navy, Sep 1, 1945" first flight postmark, with "Surrender Plea Flight" corner card, censor handstamp, Very Fine, extremely scarce with only 22 flown. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $200
Lot
697
United States, Pan American Airways Test Flights, 1946, lot of 34 covers with 1946 Nov 1 postmarks to be carried on Pan Am flights to the West Indies, Central & South America, all but seven, sent from Evanston, Ill. with attractive blue Clipper Ship cachet, all but one (appears stamp may have come loose) with mixed Country franking, Very Fine (no photo). Estimate $500 - 750.
To encourage greater use of Airmail, Pan Am organized that for on day only (Nov. 1, 1946) test flights would be flown to various participating countries to gauge efficiency of their Airmail service. Persons desiring to participate in this test could do so by addressing an envelope, typically franked with the new 10¢ Transport (new rate) to "Pan American World Airways System, Air Mail Test" to any of the capital cities of the participating countries, upon arrival the date of receipt was stamped on it and the return postage was paid by Pan Am to be mailed back to senders.
Realized: $300