Australia and New Zealand 30th anniversary of the First Trans-TasmanFlight - 1958

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALND  on 27 August 1958 issued a First Day Cover stamp to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith's first Trans-Tasman flight with Charles T.P. Ulm as co pilot. The stamp featured the Southern Cross with the portrait of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his aircraft.

The stamp was issued jointly by Australia and New Zealand. The designer was J E Lyle, Auckland. Australian Bank Note and Stamp Printer, Australia printed it using a recess  Intaglio method on Wiggins Teape 'Esparto', multiple NZ and star watermark The stamp remained on sale until 31 December 1958.

This Australia Post cover has multiple franking on the front and back of the envelope, both from Australia and New Zealand. The stamps were identical except for country stated on the stamp: "Australia" or New Zealand" and denomination.

Sir Charles Kingsford Smith was born on 9 February 1897 in Hamilton, Queensland, Australia.  He disappeared in 1935 with Australian Thomas Pethybridge after passing over Calcutta during a flight from London to Australia. The two were presumed lost.

Information included on this page sourced from The Postage Stamps of New Zealand published by the Royal Philatelic Society of NZ.    

Source: New Zealand Post