To and From India by Air – A history of Indian Airmail

A good turnout of members for our first talk of the season were treated to a fabulous display of Indian Airmail from Mr. Max Smith, who bought a diverse range of material including some exceptional and unique items from his ‘to and from India by Air’ display.

His talk started with the earliest airmail to and from India and explained the development of both air travel to India and the postal service that followed it. The material on display included very early letters from the 1920 Karachi to Bombay route and the 1927 Basra- Cairo route. 

Included within the display were sections on Crash mail, Underpaid mail, ‘All Up’ Empire Airmail, and Too Late mail. He also explained in some detail both the Westward and Horseshoe routes.

Amongst Empire Airmail and Postcards he also included rates and routes to India including through Africa and Transpacific routes and World War II letters including some exceptional high value uses and On Service letters.

Members were treated to some world-class material and we would like to extend our thanks to Max for a thoroughly entertaining evening.