A rare 1930 cover bearing the Newfoundland airmail 50c on 36c surcharge stamp will take the lead in Kelleher Auctions' August 19-21 sale of US, British and Worldwide Stamps with Collections.

There are thought to have been only 100 covers prepared for the transatlantic flight

The cover is valued at $7,500-10,000, bearing the stamp from Position 1 of the printing.

The surcharged stamp was issued to commemorate the second "Columbia" Transatlantic flight from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland to England.

Piloted by Erroll Boyd with Harry P Connor navigating, the Columbia was forced down 25 miles from Lands End, England, but completed the flight the following day.

Only 300 examples of the stamp were printed, with just 100 covers bearing the surcharge prepared. Even rarer are those made available at Harbour Grace, of which only around 35 are known.

The stamp at auction is exceptionally well centred, and tied to the cover by a neat St John's circular date stamp reading "SP 26, 1930". It is addressed to the Palace hotel in Montreal, without a backstamp, indicating that it was handled as an ordinary letter.

The cover is in very fine condition, though the stamp has been lifted and hinged in place. It is signed A Bolaffi, with a 1966 G Bolaffi certificate.

Further Newfoundland highlights include a fine example of the exceedingly rare 1861 1d reddish brown, which boasts ample to large margins and a rich colour. It is valued at $5,000-7,500.

Paul Fraser Collectibles specialises in the offering the finest stamps for sale.