Arago: Siege of Paris Mail

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Siege of Paris Mail

Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente

Description:

This folded letter originated from the Paris office at Rue Serpente on January 1, 1871, (sixth collection) and was prepaid 20 centimes for the French internal letter rate to Alençon, “Par Ballon Monté.” Based on the date and time of collection, plus the Alençon arrival datestamp of January 6, 1871, it is likely that this letter was carried out of Paris by the balloon Newton.

The Newton carried 310 kilograms of mail, and the flight occurred in heavy rain and fog. The balloon landed in a German-occupied region, and with the help of local citizens, the aeronauts and mail bags were smuggled into unoccupied France.

Date:

Paris/R. Serpente (collection) 1 January 1871

Alençon (arrival) 6 January 1871

Date:
January 1, 1871
Markings:
“Ballon Monté” endorsement 20c Ceres (Sc 58) tied by Paris Star (Etoile) No. 25 cancel
Medium:
paper; ink
Dimensions:
Other: 5.1 x 12.7cm (2 x 5in.)
Museum ID:
0.260305.10.19.2
Place:
FRANCE (republic)
Collection:
National Postal Museum (SI)
See more from the Floyd S. Leach Collection
Jeff Bohn
April 28, 2006

Glossary

  • Balloon post
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente
  • UNFOLDED LETTER
  • ALBUM PAGE
Additional Records
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Serpente
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue St. Antoine
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue St. Honore
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue St. Lazare
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue St. Lazare
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue St. Lazare
  • Folded letter from Paris office at Rue Ste. Honore
  • Folded letter from Paris office at the Place de la Bourse
  • Folded letter from Paris suburb office of Bercy
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