The North East first Air Mail service
In February 1913 the Robert Sinclair Tobacco Company, a Newcastle
based tobacco wholesaler hired the services of Bentfield C. Hucks to
deliver a new brand of tobacco in special souvenir tins from the
Newcastle Town Moor to the surrounding area including Blyth and
Seaham. Hucks, an aviator who had participated in the 1911 Daily
Mail air race flew his Bleriot monoplane powered by a 80hp engine
from the Town Moor between 11th and 18th February.
A stamp printed in deep green commemorating the event was produced
showing Hucks in his aeroplane with the words "First Aerial
Delivery" above the picture and "By the Robert Sinclair Tobacco Co.
Ltd., Newcastle-on-Tyne, Feb. 1913" below.
B.C. Hucks flying his Bleriot Monoplane on behalf of the Robert Sinclair Tobacco Co. Ltd