The Evolution of the Company Letterhead

Most of the letterheads on this page were scanned from photocopies of correspondence held in various files in the National Archives of Australia. Others come from private collections.

1	SEPTEMBER 1930
2	OCTOBER 1930
3	OCTOBER 1932
4	JUNE 1933
5	DECEMBER 1935
6	MAY 1936
7	FEBRUARY 1937
8	NOVEMBER 1937
9	NOVEMBER 1943
10	FEBRUARY 1952
11	FEBRUARY 1958
12	MAY 1958
13	circa 1960
14	JUNE 1964
15	SEPAL JULY 1965
16	1968
17	DECEMBER 1974

#1 - SEPTEMBER 1930

This is the earliest available letterhead appearing in the files of the NAA. It was used on this date to officially inform the Controller of Civil Aviation of the formation of Adastra Airways Ltd. Note that "Airways Ltd" was clearly intended to be read in conjunction with the Adastra emblem above. Probably this led more than a few readers to assume that the name of the new company was "Airways Ltd" and indeed this letterhead must have been short-lived because this style does not appear again in the NAA files. The next letter from Adastra to the Controller of Civil Aviation regarding the flying school (on 31st October 1930) uses the style of letterhead depicted under October 1930. Note that this first example of an Adastra letterhead features G.P.O. Box 3721SS. This does not appear on subsequent letterheads. The letterhead shows that Adastra is first and foremost a school of flying. The Directors are: F.W. Follett (Late Manager and Chief Instructor Aero Club of N.S.W.) and H.T. Hammond (Late Senior Instructor Aero Club of N.S.W.) It also states that Adastra are agents for de Havilland.

#2 - OCTOBER 1930

This is the amended letterhead showing the company name in full. Although this specimen is dated April 1932, this style of letterhead was in use as early as October 1930. Other minor changes are the deletion of the G.P.O. Box and alterations to the telephone numbers and the presentation thereof.

#3 - OCTOBER 1932

The letterhead has been simplified with the deletion of the Directors names and the reference to the agency for de Havilland. The size and presentation of the company name has also changed.

#4 - JUNE 1933

The telephone numbers have been changed.

#5 - DECEMBER 1935

This version records the fact that Adastra have the air mail contract between Sydney and Bega. It also incorporates for the first time, a reference to Air Survey and Photography in the company activities.

#6 - MAY 1936

This version reintroduces the name of the Managing Director.

#7 - FEBRUARY 1937

The principal change to this version is the new company office in Derwent House on the corner of Castlereagh and Liverpool Streets. Note also that Air Survey and Photography has been elevated to the company's main activity.

#8 - NOVEMBER 1937

The letterhead has been simplified once again with a significant addition being a drawing of a Waco aircraft to mark Adastra's appointment as agents for Waco. This design features the following text as a footer:

AIR SURVEY & PHOTOGRAPHY ... SYDNEY - BEGA AIR SERVICE
... TELEGRAMS & CABLES "ADASTRA, SYDNEY"

A variation of this style, dated August 1940 shows the Derwent House address and telephone numbers crossed out and the letterhead over-printed with "41-43 Lords Road, Mascot. Phone Mascot 664-665"

#9 - NOVEMBER 1943

In addition to variations in the address and telephone numbers, this specimen also lists Adastra's various agencies;
The Waco Aircraft Co.
Jacobs Aircraft Engine Co.
Titanine Emaillite Ltd.
This version was still in use unchanged in 1947.

#10 - FEBRUARY 1952

This entirely new letterhead states that Adastra are "Specialists in Aerial Photography and Photogrammetry". There is no longer any reference to Derwent House and the company address is shown as 41-43 Lords Road, Mascot.

#11 - FEBRUARY 1958

This example features the company name in raised lettering. Note that Lords Road has been renamed Vickers Avenue.

#12 - MAY 1958

This elaborate multi-colour letterhead features artwork extending to the foot of the page.
NOTE: A similar design was in use as early as May 1942 and during 1947, albeit with earlier variations of the address and telephone numbers.

View a full page image of this letterhead here.

#13 - circa 1960

This image is scanned from a blank, original letterhead, so its time period is uncertain, although it probably relates to the late fifties or early sixties. This example is similar to the February 1958 example but with changes to the address and to the telephone numbers. Note that a Mascot Post Office Box is now in use. Note also that the address is 41-45 Vickers Avenue whereas it had earlier been 41-43.

#14 - JUNE 1964

By the mid sixties the company has reverted to the 1950s style of letterhead.

#15 - JULY 1965

An example of the letterhead used by the Adastra subsidiary Sepal Pty. Ltd.

#16 - 1968

This image is scanned from a blank, original letterhead, so its exact time period is uncertain. The most noteworthy feature is the variation on the company name. What is known is that Adastra Victorian Surveys Pty Ltd was registered on 17th September 1968.

#17 - DECEMBER 1974

This specimen is similar to #10 but with significant changes:

1	The heading is "Adastra Aerial Surveys Pty. Ltd."
2	"Microcopying and Graphic Arts" added to company activities
3	An extra "6" has been added to the telephone numbers
4	A postcode features for the first time
5	This is scanned from an original which is black & white only. Contributed by Alex Whitworth.