Here’s a 1937 Canada
Air Mail First Flight Cover Signed by Noted Pioneer Pilot During the
Golden Age of Aviation
JOHN R. “JACK”
WIGHT
(1898 – 1985)
~ EARLY AVIATION PIONEER – ONE OF THE EARLY BIRDS OF AVIATION,
~ CANADIAN AIR MAIL PILOT,
~ PILOT and GROOMSMAN OF THE FIRST AIRBORNE WEDDING IN REGINA,
CANADA ON MAY 24, 1929, and
~ FOUNDER OF THE GRANDLY NAMED “UNIVERSAL
AIR INDUSTRIES LIMITED” AT THE "LAKEVIEW AERODROME," IN SASKATCHEWAN, CANADA.
This first flight cover bears a commemorative
cachet of the first official Arrow Airways flight from Sturgeon Landing, Saskatchewan
to The Pas, Manitoba, Canada on Sept. 8th, 1937. The cover is also
signed by the District Superintendent, bears a 6c Daedalus Canadian airmail postage
stamp, and “STURGEON LANDING SASK.” cds postmark and “THE PAS MAN.” receiving cds
postmark on the cover’s verso.
BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES: JACK WIGHT - EARLY BIRD OF AVIATION
EXCERPTS FROM “SASKATCHEWAN AVIATION CHRONOLOGY
1920-29”
1927, May/June -- With help from his old friend, pilot Jack Wight, airman
Roland Groome began another business venture, the grandly named Universal Air
Industries at the "Lakeview Aerodrome," on the site of what is now
Regina’s Golden Mile shopping centre. Newspaper reports also circulated about
the formation of a local flying club.
For their firm, Groome and Wight bought JN-4 (G-CAAL) from
Western Aeroplane Company in Moose Jaw, where it had been sitting in a defunct
flax mill. They brought it to Regina, rebuilt it, and also brought a Swallow
aircraft from Wichita in 1927. The aircraft were used for barnstorming and
flying local charters.
1927 -- with help from the
federal government, the City of Saskatoon (like Regina) began planning a new
airport for airmail services
1929, May 24 -- The first airborne wedding in Regina took place on that
Thursday evening when Miss Murial Stuart James, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. A.
James, Chaplin, and Howard Layton Robinson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred
Robinson, Regina, were married in the cabin of a new Stinson Detroiter plane of
Universal Air Industries Limited. The plane took off at 7.30 p.m. at a height
of 1,500 feet, hovered over the R.C.M.P. barracks as the ceremony was performed
by Rev. Wilkie, of the North Side Presbyterian Church. Miss Margaret Nicks,
Grand Coulee, a cousin of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, while pilot Jack
Wight acted as the groomsman. The airplane was in the air about 25 minutes.
On landing the bridal couple was received by a host of friends, who showered
them with confetti and congratulations. (Source: The Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, May 25, 1929)
The cover measures 6½” x 3-5/8” and is in excellent
condition, complete with backflap.
A FINE ADDITION TO YOUR AVIATION HISTORY
AUTOGRAPH, MANUSCRIPT, EPHEMERA & POSTAL HISTORY COLLECTION.
I am a proud member of the Universal Autograph
Collectors Club (UACC), The Ephemera Society of America, the Manuscript Society
& the American Political Items Collectors (APIC) (member name: John
Lissandrello). I subscribe to each organizations' code of ethics and
authenticity is guaranteed. ~Providing quality service & historical
memorabilia online for over 25 years.~
WE ONLY SELL GENUINE ITEMS, i.e., NO REPRODUCTIONS, FAKES OR COPIES!
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