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A 1919 London to Adelaide Race flag autographed by the Smith…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
5-Dec-2014
Lot No.
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Description:
A 1919 London to Adelaide Race flag autographed by the Smith Brothers. White flag with printed illustration of the Vickers Vimy bi-plane and lettering 'London to Adelaide 1920', with fringe to three sides signed in ink by Ross Smith, Keith Smith, Walter Shiers and James Bennett, framed; a postcard showing a photograph of the flag being displayed at the 1938 Airmail Exhibition at Christchurch, New Zealand ; and a letter dated 3rd September, 1938 from an unknown hand to a Mr McNabb thanking him for his 'Kind offer to loan flag' for the New Zealand Airmail Exhibition, 7 November, 1938, 3pp. Overall Provenance: John Martin & Co. Department Store, Adelaide, gifted to: boy Scouts Association benefit auction, 30 March, 1920. Purchased by Mrs Harry bickford, Mt. Lofty, S.A. Mr McNabb Ex lot 256, Collectibes auction, Charles Leski Auction, Melbourne, 18 February 2001 private collection, Melbourne Captain Ross and his crew of three completed the first ever flight from England to Australia on 10 December, 1919. Their Vickers Vimy bi-plane touched down in Darwin having completed their amazing 18,000km journey in just under 1 month. For their efforts the four received a prize of £10,000 and Ross and his brother Keih awarded knighthoods. Three of the crew were originally from Adeliaide so when they returned to their home city in March, 1920 for a host of receptions and public events they received a rapturous welcome from their adoring public. In acknowledgement of the aviators' achievements local department store John Martin & Co. Commissioned a silk flag decorated with an illustration of the crew's bi-plane. The flag was signed by the four and then acquired by the boy Scout Association. It was offered for auction and purchased for a reported £838 by Mrs Priscill bickford, a well-known Adelaide benefactor.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified