SA: 1937 SAA GERMISTON CRASH: Charred envelope with letter contents, address panel intact, brilliantly dated along top with despatch machine cds 14 JUN 37 (day of crash!). With official GPO notice dated 15 June 1937 advising "The enclosed has been recovered from the wreckage of the aircraft destroyed near Germiston on 14 instant." Accompanied by contemporary photograph of the crashed Junkers aircraft. Very rare, only a single bundle of 112 letters having been recovered of which it is suggested (Burrell, 1986) that only six examples survive in the hands of collectors. A key exhibition showpiece. See additional images below. The newly-commissioned SAA Junkers JU52 "Earl of Caledon" crashed on 14th June 1937 shortly after take-off from Germiston airport. The flight was bound for Durban under the command of Captain FCJ Fry. Two of the thirteen passengers on board lost their lives. The aircraft was totally wrecked.
