b'49365365November - December 1919 (AAMC.27) A cover carried on the first flight from England to Australia, crewed by Ross & Keith Smith, Jim Bennett and Wally Shiers. With the rare "Ross Smith" vignette attractively tied by the special "FIRST AERIAL MAIL/RECEIVED" handstamp. with another alongside. Address to S.H. Long at Lake Macquarie. .$6,0008,000366366C Nov.1919 - Feb.1920 (AAMC.27a) Syria - Australia intermediate flown cover bearing the Ross Smith vignette, attractively tied by one of 2 strikes of the oval "FIRST AERIAL MAIL" handstamp. With faint 3-line cachet in violet and endorsed "Per first aerial flight to Australia by favour of Capt. Ross Smith."Addressed to Mrs. R. Power, this is cover #257 from the Frommer listing. The insignia printed on the reverse of this cover is that of the 19th Lancers, also known as "19th King George\'s Own Lancers". The regiment served in Egypt, Palestine and Syria 1918-21. They occupied Damascus on 21 October 1918 and it became a popular leave destination. It is assumed that this cover was handed to the crew of the Vimy by a member of the 19th Lancers during the stop of the aircraft in Damascus on 19/20th November 1919.Provenance: Nelson Eustis Gold Medal Collection, Leski Auctions, March 2008, Lot 41. .$8,00010,000'