Arago: Siege of Paris Mail

This card originated from the Paris office at Rue de la St. Dominique-St. Germaine 56 on October 7, 1870, (sixth collection) and was prepaid 10 centimes for the French internal postal card rate to Amiens. Note that this card shows the “Par ballon libre” endorsement, indicating that it was intended to be sent via an unmanned balloon. Except for a first consignment of cards carried out of Paris aboard the Non Dénommé No.1 on September 30, 1870; however, all subsequent postal cards were carried by manned balloons.

Presumably, this card was carried aboard the Non Dénommé No.2, which crashed barely 5 km from its point of departure. Most of the mail was returned to Paris then dispatched by one of the later balloons. Although no other postal markings were applied to this card, a manuscript notation indicating an October 19 arrival date supports this series of events.

Date:

Paris/R. St-Domque-St-Gn 56 (collection) 7 October 1870

Manuscript arrival 19 October 1870