Lot 6
1917 (Nov. 21st) Miller Recruiting Flight cover and letter ‡

The Moody Tidwell Collection of South Africa, with Important Pioneer Airmails | S26032
Auction: 17 December 2026, 10:00 GMT
Description
1917 (Nov. 21st) Private Carriage airmail. Envelope to Grahamstown endorsed ‘By first Aerial Post’ at upper left, and signed by Major Allister Miller. Also a letter on City Hall, Port Elizabeth headed paper from a local dignitary, also signed by Miller, believed to be the sole remaining example of such a letter
Footnote
This is an example of one of Major Miller's Recruiting Flights, which were intended to attract interest from would-be pilots much needed for the war effort. It was a remarkably effective campaign; 'No less than 2,000 became members of the RFC (later the RAF), and 1,400 obtained pilot's certificates after the war' (Arrow)

