Semi-official airmails

I do like these issues. Thanks for showing them.
Here are mine, all I think have been shown before, but you know I'm not above repeating myself.

Top to bottom CL48, CL44 and, while not a true semi-official airmail, a 'Wayzata' unissued Newfie.

On your Wayzata,  is that a perforation "chad",  or a random print occurrence ?  (The white dot at the bottom) 

I have yet to place these in years where they belong maybe I'll get inspired to do that soon.My wife has planned another busy weekend for my time including another turkey dinner tomorrow (I always cook the bird) Gotta put poor Jim's ashes in the ground Saturday and go dig out her friends weekend house for their kids who plan on coming up in the morning.My youngest is coming in from Boston Friday night.I need some stamp time.

A great book I picked up in an estate sale along with many others. 525 pages - great value, only about $30 on Amazon


For anyone interested here is a Catalog of the values.
Don't remember what date it is - but fairly recent

Airmails

Some actual stamps to follow - a favorite area of mine

1925 Northern Air Service Limited

The company was organized by Bill Broatch, a former pilot of Laurentide Air Service for the route between Haileybury and Rouyn
The first official flight occurred on June 27th 1925.
The company folded due to financial difficulties in late October 1925. One of the flying boats was destroyed by fire after the wing fabric ignited following an engine backfire.

Stamps
The stamps were printed in sheets of 20
One outside row on the sheet had a dot in the center circle.
200 sheets of 20 stamps were printed.


These may have 2 color varieties, this one I have being the lighter color

A tete-beche pair from an auction ~ $200



Plane that may have been used
Fokker Super Universal

1918 Aero Club of Canada

To test the practicality of using aircraft to carry mail, the Post Office authorized 3 experimental Royal Air Force flights between Toronto and Montreal


The Stamps


Issued in the first week of August 1918
On white or slightly buff paper.
The initial stamp CLP1 (without the 25 numeral) run is estimated at over 200 as about 170 are known on covers.

The second run, CLP2, with the numeral was issued August 28th and consisted of 2800 stamps tete-beche. Most of these were unused and very few covers are available




A cover (from auction) with a CLP2 estimated @ over $2000 (with a message in the stamp?)


The plane used in the flights

August 1927 - London to London Flight

The Carling Brewery Co. of London, Ont. offered a prize of $25,000 for any Canadian or British pilot making a nonstop flight from London, Ont., to London, England. Carling bought a Stinson SM-1 aircraft, named the "Sir John Carling," and selected Capt. Terrance B. Tully as pilot with Lt. James V. Medcalf as navigator.
The plane took off about 6:00a.m. on Aug. 29 but ran into bad fog at Kingston, Ont. and was forced to return to London. The rules were revised and it was decided to land at Harbour Grace, Nfld. for refueling. They took off on Sept. 1 and got as far as Caribou, Maine, where they were forced down. On Sept. 5 they reached Harbour Grace and departed for England on Sept. 7.
They were never seen again.
About 90 covers were said to have been prepared for the flight; these covers were postmarked on Aug. 29 at 4:00 a.m.
Recent research has raised doubts about this number, and if the research is correct, the number carried may only be 42 pieces. The mail was again postmarked at Harbour Grace, where one cover was said to have been removed from the mail bag. The research referred to also
suggested that this still-existing cover was never flown but some scholars dispute this.
The Post Office Department also prepared a special cancellation die, "Air Mail I London, Canada - London, England I 29 Aug 4 AM 1927." Covers are known with this proof strike of this cancel but without the stamp.

The Stamp


From an auction - $7000
Date of issue - Unknown. The stamps were authorized for release on August 18 but they were held back from sale until date of flight.
Face alue - 25¢ PERFORATION - 12
Color - Blue and yellow on white background.
Printing - Printed in panes of 4 stamps; reportedly, only 100 tamps were printed. Only 6 mint specimens are known.



Rare postcard signed by aviators



Stinson SM-1



Souvenir sheet issued for the 1975 London Ontario Philatelic Exhibition



CLP6 - Reprint, also perforated

1926 - Elliot - Fairchild Air Service

Sherman Fairchild was the manager of the American Fairchild Airplane Manufacturing Corporation. Sherman, after learning of the success of Jack Elliot, persuaded Elliot to enter into a partnership. Sherman would provide a new 7 seat Fairchild aircraft which could operate on unfrozen lakes. The plan was to use this aircraft in the Rouyn mining area that was vacated by Northern Air Service.
There is some doubt as to whether this company ever really operated.
Shortly after formation, Fairchild withdrew from the company.
Covers with CL8's may have been flown by Jack Elliot Air Service

The Stamp
CL8 issued March 21. 1926
Red on yellow background
As time was limited, they simply made some changes to the CL7 stamp



CL9 date is uncertain, possibly early April 1926
Perforation 11 3/4


Printing
CL8 was printed in sheets of 16 with 2 panes of 8 in horizontal Tete-beche
CL9 was printed in sheets of 16 with a gutter between two panes of 8, an S was added to the name "Fairchild"



Proof

CL9 has been noted with a postmark of April 5th
So this may be the date or an even earlier one exists.

1926 - Patricia Airways & Exploration Limited

Formed in 1926 by H.A. "Doc" Oaks, G.A. "Tommy" Thompson, and S. "Sammy" Tomlinson, the three set out to operate in the Red Lake mining district. The company, financed by F.E. Davison, had their head office in Toronto, and provided daily service between Sioux Lookout, Pine Ridge (Goldpines), Red Lake, Woman Lake, Birch Lake and Cat lake. With Jack Elliot no longer flying in the area, the company received a government contract to carry mail.

A large amount of mail was actually carried by this company as opposed to the others of a more philatelic nature

By 1927, the company started flying into the Rouyn goldfield area from Haileybury. This service was short lived due to the crash of an airplane.

In an interview with the company president, he noted that the numerous varieties of stamps was due to potential mergers that never happened. They wanted to only keep small stocks on hand.

This has resulted in the most complex of the semi-postals with some 50 variations of color. perforations, inverts, errors and overprints.

First Issue - CL13
Issued between June 25 and July 1, 1926
Perf: 11 3/4
Color: Red & Green on Yellow Paper

Layout
Sheets of 8 with descriptive selvage
12,800 stamps total


CL13



A Plate Proof

CL14 Issue
CL13 was overprinted with "Haileybury and Rouyn 10 Cents"
The surcharge is generally red but violet is known

Issued April 1 or 9 1927

Layout
1200 stamps in sheets of 8
A second printing in a deeper  red of 496


CL14


CL15 Issue
In September the rate in the Red Lake district was reduced from 25 cents to 5 cents.
The overprint was applied diagonally in red & black
Ascending & descending are known.

CL15 was issued September 1


CL15



CL16 Issue

CL13 was overprinted "Red Lake" with a face value of 5 cents.
It is in black both ascending & descending.


CL16


CL17 Issue

CL17 is the CL14 with a black "Red Lake" overprint
It is known in normal and inverted with descent from upper right to lower left.
It was issued September 1 1927


CL17


CL18 Issue

This was issued for a new route from Sioux Lookout to Woman Lake.
The rate was increased from 25cents to 50cents.

Issued July 7, 1926, also noted as possibly July 1
Printed in sheets of 8 with selvage
Total issued was 4136 stamps


CL18


CL19 Issue

CL19 was created as the rate from Haileybury to Rouyn was reduced from 50cents to 10cents.
CL18 was overprinted with approximately 880 stamps created.
It was overprinted in red and later 544 were printed in brown.
There is 1 black sheet of 8 reported


CL19


CL20 Issue

CL20 was the CL18 with the same overprint as CL15 to reduce the rate from 25cents to 10cents
50 sheets of 8 stamps were issued with red & black overprints mainly in ascending position.


CL20 & CL20c


CL21 Issue

CL21 is the CL18 with the CL16 overprint in violet and black in ascending & descending positions.
The slanting varies to an almost horizontal position.
7 sheets of 8 are estimated.


CL21


CL22 Issue

Another Red Lake overprint on the CL19 for a further reduced rate from 10cents to 5cents.
The overprints exist in many positions.
I do not have a copy


CL23 Issue

This was the 3rd style.
There are no margin inscriptions and the word "Lark" below the plane has been removed

A possible date of issue for CL23 is June 11, 1927, some state May 27
Total issued was 17,486 =, 2187 sheets of 8

CL23


CL24 Issue

CL24 was issued June 11, with 576 sheets of 8 for a total of 4608 stamps.
I do not have a sample of this issue


CL25 Issue

CL25 was issued on June 11.
It has the same wording as CL15 & CL20
The overprint was in green, red and black
They were overprinted for each color on 1368 stamps each.
In addition, 4600 stamps were overprinted in green in ascending position


CL25f


CL26 Issue

CL26 is a 5 line overprint similar to CL25 but in smaller print.
In red, green & black ascending and in inverted red position.
In comes in buff and light yellow paper


CL26


CL27 Issue

CL27 ois a large 5 line overprint applied on CL24.
It is black in descending position.
A reported 63 sheets of 8 were printed.


CL27


CL28 Issue

CL28 is the same as CL27 but with the small 5 line type on CL24


CL28


CL29 Issue

CL29 is the overprint "Red Lake" on the previously overprinted CL24.
It is found in a variety of positions and inverted in shades of black, green and red.


CL29


CL30 Issue

CL30 is the basic "Red Lake" on CL23.
The face value is 5cents and is known in all positions including inverted in black, green and red.
It is also imperforate, in se-tenant with un-overprinted stamps and with the airplane inverted.
Each color was printed in 172 sheets of 8 stamps, totaling 1376 stamps.

 
CL30 & CL30b



A Booklet from an auction



Various cancels

1927 - 1929 Yukon Airways & Exploration Limited

The company was formed to operate in the Yukon Territory and open up the vast unexplored areas thought to be rich in furs and minerals. The main office was at White Horse, with branches at Dawson and Mayo Landing.
The first aircraft was a Ryan monoplane, similar to but not identical with Lindbergh's "Spirit of St. Louis."
It was flown into the Yukon from Skagway by A. D. Cruikshank on October 5, 1927; after an overnight stay at White Horse, he flew on to Keno Hill via Mayo Landing.
Dawson was reached on November 6 but no landing was made.
The plane continued to White Horse via Mayo.

DATE OF ISSUE - CL42 October 1927
COLOR - Blue on white paper.
FACE VALUE - 25cents
PERFORATION - The stamps were imperforate on the sides and rouletted top and bottom.

PRINTING METHOD & LAYOUT - The stamps were printed in sheets of 80 made up of 10 rows of 8; the sheets were then cut into vertical strips of 10 stamps, bound in booklets of 10 strips, and sold as such.
Three printings were produced.
The first, in October, 1927 was 100 stamps in a light blue shade, first used on the April13 flight from Carcross and mainly used on flights from Carcross.
The second, in November 1927, was a printing of 1,200 stamps in dull blue. This second printing was used on all the 1927 flights and on some later flights.
The third printing, in December 1928, was 10,000 stamps in dark blue. The third printing was used at Telegraph Creek, Champagne, and some other offices in 1929.


CL42



Proposed proof - never used




 
Unofficial Reprints apparently produced in 4 different colors




CL42 Cover



Ryan Monoplane used - basically the same as Lindbergh's pictured here


A very similar design
Also the first time a living person is mentioned on a stamp since the "No living Person" rule was instituted.

1928 - British Columbia Airways Limited

The company was formed to provide service between Victoria and Vancouver.
The initial flight was on July 23 from Seattle to Victoria and on to Vancouver.
This may have been the delivery flight of the aircraft which had been delivered to the pilot, Herold Walker, in Detroit on July 20.
No mail was carried on the segment from Seattle to Victoria.

DATE OF ISSUE - CL44 August 3, 1928
PERFORATION - The stamp was rouletted on all four sides.
FACE VALUE - 5 cents
COLOR - Blue on white paper.
PRINTING METHOD & LAYOUT - The stamps were printed in sheets of 220 which were then cut into panes of 55. 110,000 stamps were printed.


CL44



Ford Tri-Motor plane



CL44 cover

1929 - McGREELY'S EXPRESS

From time to time there appears in collections or items offered for sale apparently flown covers that bears postage stamps of the Canadian Government and also two stickers supposedly prepaying supplementary mail service. One sticker being the stamp issued by KLONDIKE AIRWAYS LIMITED and the other of McGREELY'S EXPRESS
All stamps being on the face of the cover and cancelled by the Town postmark of Dawson, Yukon, Jan. 5, 1929. They can have price tags 0f $2-$300
The status of these stamps are very questionable.

Original McGreely's Express Stamp
DESIGN: At Top Left and right numeral "25" in small circles followed by "cents"."McGREELY'S EXPRESS" in arch at top of stamp and "DYEA - SKAGUAY" at the bottom.
COLOR: Blue
PERFORATED: 14
Typogaphed by a Printer in Sen Francisco in Sheets of 50 ( 5 x 10) in 1902. Reprints made in 1928 probably by A.C.Roessler or at his direction
NUMBER ISSUED: 1250 stamps according to the July-August, 1945 edition of "POPULAR STAMPS".
STATUS: Scott's Specialized Catalog, 1972 listed the Original McGreely's Express labels as No. 155-L-1 and valued them at $6.00 for individual single mint copies and S27.50 for mint blocks of 4 stamps.
SOUVENIR OVERPRINT: Several sheets of the Original Issue were overprinted in Black by S.C.Marcus for personal distribution at the 1902 Exhibition of the Pacific Philatelic Society in San Francisco.


There is reasonable evidence that the above was used in 1901

Roessler Resurrects McGreely
Note that the original company which was formed in 1898 has no correlation to the 1928 "Roessler Creations"
In the 1920's a young man started up a freight service between Skagway and Dyea using the name of "McGREELY'S EXPRESS" that had no connection with the earlier company of the same name.
Apparently Roessler had the stamps reprinted in New Jersey.
In 1929 A. C. Roessler prepared a number of covers to which were affixed the KLONDIKE AIRWAYS stamp and the reprinted stamp of McGREELY'S EXPRESS. He sent them to the operator of the new McGreely's express who put them into the mail at Dawson in January, 1929.
Roessler affirmed that these stamped covers were "genuine" and that mail had been carried.
However, history tells us The Klondike Airways stamp was not valid in 1929. The Company had been sold and was dissolved late in 1928.
The McGreely stamp was never approved nor authorized by any Government. McGreely's Express held no mail contract. The covers have no backstamps so there is no evidence that were actually carried by McGreely's Express.
A further note by Roessler states "I don't mean they were OFFICIAL in the sense that the Government backed it because that would be untrue. The Government was very much against it but they couldn't do anything because it had the Canadian stamps attached"
So these covers may be nothing more than "curiosities"





From the printer Dietz who probably made the stamps for Roessler

I really get upset when people put up great scans like these. I walk around the house for several days talking to myself and muttering about getting organized and really having to get some of these. I usually end up with my wife locking me out of the house until I come to my senses. I swear I am going to build a man cave in the back lot where I can go and work to my heart's content. Lacking that I will continue to look at these great posts and be amazed at the wonderful pieces you all have. Thanks for sharing

Jeff