Lot 1200

Description

Institute of Transport, Aerial Transport Medal, struck and handcrafted in gold (central struck medal) (14ct, 79g) by G&S Co Ltd, hallmark for Birmingham 1933, also in silver with blue enamel 'Chairman N.Z. Council' (outer handcrafted ring with Maori motif at top) (33g) by W&H (Walker & Hall), total measurements (112g, 72x63mm), ring top and blue neck ribbon suspension, reverse inscribed 'G.E.Woods Humphrey/1933'. Extremely fine, a prestigious and very rare award, especially to a New Zealand recipient.

George Woods Humphrey was a well known and respected figure in the early days of international aviation. He was the first General Manager of Handley-Page Transport and when his struggling company was merged with several others into Imperial Airways in 1924 he emerged as the top executive. His inventiveness and drive pushed Imperial to a leading position in world aviation until the war's barriers stopped everything. Imperial is still remembered as the airline that so strongly advocated the use of the flying boat as a safe means of long range air transport. The airline fostered a leading role for the British airframe industry in this area.

G.E. Woods Humphrey's presence in New Zealand and as Chairman, N.Z. Council of the Institute of Transport is not well documented and is worthy of further research.