Henry Gitner Philatelists, Inc.

French Colonies: Indochina, 1933 (Mar. 28), Air Orient Indochina-Marseille flight, recovered at Crotone (Italy), pretty picture post card addressed to Belgium with black boxed “Saigon-Marseille” and straightline “COURRIER ACCIDENTÈ” handstamps on reverse, Very Fine. Nierinck 330328; SFr 1,500 ($1,550). Estimate $300 – 400 The Lioré Olivier 242 seaplane broke its moorings at Crotone in Calabria during a storm and was stranded on the beach, soaking the mail. Only after the plane was refloated did Italian authorities dry out the mail, which was delivered to Marseille by the relief plane F-AJLJ.