Arago: Siege of Paris Mail

This envelope originated from the Paris office at Rue D’Enghien on December 19, 1870, (sixth collection) and was prepaid 20 centimes for the French internal letter rate to Montoire, “Par Ballon Monté.” Based on the date of collection, it is most likely that this letter was carried out of Paris by the balloon Lavoisier.

The Lavoisier carried 175 kilograms of mail, and the nearly eight-hour flight was subject to both high winds and bitterly cold weather. The balloon experienced a rough landing, and the aeronauts suffered minor injuries.

Date:

Paris/R. D’Enghien (collection) 19 December 1870

(no arrival datestamp)