Lot 2378

Description

New Zealand, Great Barrier Island, Pigeon Gram, 1899, 6d and shilling; mint with light trace of hinges, used pair on pieces dated 1/- Dec 5, 99; 6d May 9, 00; together with various Railway stamps 9d, 8d (3 in block), 6d (a pair), these cmk. Stratford; 1/- and 2/- Courtenay Place 1931; Newspaper Postage on a wrapper 5 July [19]13 from Paeroa. Used unless noted. (13)

Great Barrier Island (Aotea) was the first place in New Zealand to have a regular airmail service, by pigeon post. In 1897 the first pigeongram winged its way from the island to Auckland. Soon two pigeon-mail companies were operating. But the installation of an underwater telegraph cable to the island in 1908 ended the service.