Lot 2985
Marc Pourpe Experimental Flight from Cairo to Khartoum. 1914: Cover addressed in Marc Pourpe´s handwriting to A. Bianchi, President of the "Ligne Nationale Aerienne" in Cairo, bearing 1914 1m., 2 m., 3 m., 4 m., 5 m. and 10 m. all cancelled by "Cataract Hotel-Assouan" datestamps in blue (Jan 25) and by circular "Poste Aerienne / Caire-Khartoum / L.N.A. / Marc Pourpe / 1913-14" cachet also in blue. Reverse with Cairo datestamp (27.1.14) in black. A couple of slight vertical creases, one affecting the 5 m. adhesive, but a tremendously colourful example of this rare Experimental Flight, carried on the Assouan-Luxor leg of the journey (see Gilbert´s article in L´ Orient Philatelique, Jan 1958). Only 29 letters bearing this cachet have been recorded by the Egypt Study Circle, three of these are addressed to Mr. Bianchi. An airmail rarity.
