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1870 Siege of Paris “Ballon Monté” Postal History – Lettre-Journal de Paris / Gazette des Absents
Original French balloon-post correspondence from the Siege of Paris during the Franco-Prussian War, dated December 10, 1870.
This remarkable piece combines a personal handwritten letter with No. 15 of the Lettre-Journal de Paris – Gazette des Absents, dated Saturday, December 10, 1870. The lightweight publication was designed to carry news and private correspondence from besieged Paris.
The folded address panel is prominently printed “PAR BALLON MONTÉ” and is addressed to Bordeaux (Gironde). It retains its original 20 centimes blue Napoleon III postage stamp with postal cancellation.
The handwritten correspondence itself is headed:
“Paris, 10 Décbre 1870.”
A partial English translation of the surviving and clearly legible portions reads:
“We are still without any news from you, my dear Paullet, and we continue to know nothing either of Mr. Béhu [?], Talon, or [unclear]...
As for the general situation, I will tell you nothing, since you know as much about it as we do. Here, everything is calm. My children are still safe, thank God.
Yours affectionately...”
Some manuscript words are obscured by old repairs/tape and have intentionally not been guessed in the translation.
The printed Gazette contains contemporary reports from besieged Paris concerning military operations, the Prussian forces, conditions within Paris and other wartime news. Particularly interesting is a section headed “DÉPARTS DES BALLONS-POSTE”, reporting recent balloon-post departures.
Condition: This is a fragile piece of original 1870 postal history with substantial age and handling wear. There are old tape/reinforcement repairs, staining/discoloration, tears, edge losses, creases and separation/damage along some folds. One small section has become fully detached along an old weakened fold; the detached piece is present and fits back into its original position, as shown in the photographs. The newspaper remains substantially present. The 20c stamp remains attached. Due to the fragile condition, careful handling is recommended. Please examine all photographs closely for the exact condition.
The specific balloon/flight has not been identified by the seller. Please examine the postal markings shown in the photographs.
An unusual surviving artifact combining Siege of Paris postal history, early balloon mail, contemporary journalism and personal correspondence in a single piece.
Sold exactly as photographed.
