air mail in Bermuda.

"Bermuda by Air: A Handbook and Catalog of Bermuda Aerophilately'' was written and edited by Americans Mr. Charles E. Cwiakala and Robert W.

Dickgiesser, respectively.

Both avid stamp collectors, Mr. Dickgiesser began collecting stamps when he was five years old and became interested in Bermuda stamps when he honeymooned here in 1970.

"I was impressed with how tasteful and well done the Bermuda stamps were,'' Mr. Dickgiesser told The Royal Gazette from his Connecticut-based office.

He has been particularly interested in documenting the postal history of Bermuda for more than 20 years.

After collecting information about Bermuda stamps issued during the King George VI Era (1937-1953), Mr. Dickgiesser published his first book, "Bermuda King George VI High Values'', in 1980. This was followed in 1985 with the book "King George VI Large Key-Type Stamps of Bermuda, Leeward Islands, and Nyasaland''.

He had also published numerous articles in the Bermuda Post and the British Caribbean Philatelic Journal.

Mr. Cwaikala has specialised in the postage stamps and postal history of Bermuda and the former British West Indies for more than 30 years.

And he has also authored numerous original research articles for the area in the Bermuda Post and the British Caribbean Philatelic Journal.

"Bermuda by Air'' will have 160 pages, including "substantial amounts of aerophilatelic support and other information''.

Mr. Dickgiesser said this would allow the work to be considered an authoritative reference for the airmail stamp collector.

And he added that all airmail stamp collecting associated with Bermuda will be listed, numbered, and priced, many of the entries being documented in the philatelic literature for the first time.

The listings begin with the 1919 US Navy's exhibition flights over the Island, and continue through this year's first flights by Kiwi Airlines, USAir, and Germany's Condor Airlines.

It is expected to be released in April.