SA: 1951 SAA "PAARDEBERG" CRASH: Parcel post wrapper franked 2d tied indistinct Cape Town machine cancel. Two fine strikes in blackish violet of the straight-line "SALVAGED CRASHED PLANE 15/10/51" cachet on front. Folds and crumpling of wrapper as expected. A fine attractive example of this rare crash mail of which it is accepted that less than 20 or 30 examples survive. This is the sole parcel-post item we record. A superior representation of ths crash mail. The SAA Dakota "Paardeberg" crashed into the 10500ft peak of Mount Ingeli near Kokstad whilst en route between Port Elizabeth and Durban. The crew and passengers all perished in what was the first SAA crash since 1937.
