Sale 98: The Transportation Sale

Lot 4092    

1870 (Nov. 23) Paris to Panama (Central America), folded "Gazette des Absents N^o 10" postmarked "Paris, Pl. de la Bourse, 23 Nov. 70" double circle with magenta manuscript endorsement "Vapeur Anglais" and "via Southhampton" red boxed "PD" and box "PP" handstamps, the franking (80c) has been floated off as this was part of the jettisoned mail during the voyage, some minor cover damage due to immersion in the sea, carried by the Ville d'Orléans.
Estimate    $10,000 - 15,000.

A SUPERB COVER CARRIED ON THE FAMED VILLE D'ORLÉANS BALLOON FLIGHT AND THE ONLY RECORDED COVER TO PANAMA.

The balloon "Ville d'Orléans" left the Gare du Nord at 11:40pm with 4 sacks of mail (230 kg) and landed the next day at the Tunet farm in Norway at 2:25pm.

During the aerial voyage, at 6:30am on November 25, the balloon descended toward the North Sea, so pilot threw out some mail to re-ascend; at noon he jettisoned a 125kg bag of mail near the coast of Mandal (Norway). The Mandal mail was recovered and forwarded via London on December 2.

Realized: $37,500

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Lot 4093    

1870 (Nov. 24) Paris to Gex (Jettisoned Mail), folded cover postmarked "Paris, Pl. De La Bourse, 24 Nov. 70" double circle franked with 20c Empire Lauré tied by "1" star cancel, backstamped "Gex, 12 Dec. 70" arrival postmark, cover then forwarded to Geneva, Switzerland and additionally franked with 10c Empire Lauré paying the special 10c border rate, tied by "Gex, 24 Dec. 70" double circle postmark, backstamped "Geneve, 24 XII 70" & "Chene-Bourg, 25 XII 70" (Christmas Day) arrival cds's, some minor cover damage due to immersion in the sea, F.-V.F., carried by the Ville d'Orléans.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $1,400

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Lot 4094    

1870 (Nov. 28) Paris to Evron (Crashed Mail), blue printed Bouquillard lettersheet, postmarked "Paris (60), 28 Nov. 70" double circle postmark, cancelled with Paris star where the adhesive has fallen off due to crash in the England Channel, backstamped by "Falmouth, DE 2, 70" British transit and "Evron, 6 Dec. 70" arrival cds, corner fault at top right due to immersion in the sea, Very Fine and rare, carried by the Jacquard, ex-T. Steinway; with 1948 P.F. certificate.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

A VERY RARE BALLON MONTÉ CARRIED ON THE ILL FATED "JACQUARD", PARTICULARLY WHEN SHOWING THE BRITISH TRANSIT BACKSTAMP.

A few balloons the flights ended in tragedy; the most famous of which was the "Le Jacquard " piloted by a young sailor called Alexandre Prince. It was last seen from the lighthouse at Plymouth as it headed out into the Atlantic. A few sacks of mail were salvaged by fishermen, dried as best they could and dispatched to their intended recipients by a local priest.

Realized: $2,000

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Lot 4095    

1870 (Nov. 29) Paris to London, blue envelope postmarked "Paris, Rue D'Enghien, 29 Nov. 70" double circle postmark, franked with 30c Empire Lauré tied by numeral "4" star cancel, with red "London, 6 DE 70" arrival postmark, Very Fine and attractive, carried by the Jules Favre N^o 2.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $400

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Lot 4096    

1870 (Nov. 30) Paris to Sweden, folded Gazette Des Absents N^o12 to Stockholm, postmarked "Paris, R. de Clery, 30 Nov. 70" double circle, franked with two 30c Empire Lauré (one added) tied by two strikes of numeral "24" star cancels, backstamped with "Paris à Calais 2^o, 4 Dec. 70" transit postmark, light cover staining, Fine appearance, a very rare destination despite one of the 30c being replaced, carried by the Jules Favre N^o 2.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $725

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Lot 4097    

1870 (Nov. 30) Paris to Riom, folded letter postmarked red "Paris (SC), 30 Nov. 28" (inverted month & year slug with error year) double circle tying 20c Cérès backstamped with "Riom, 4 Dec. 70" arrival postmark, F.-V.F., carried by the Jules Favre N^o 2.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $350

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Lot 4098    

1870 (Nov. 30) Paris to Châtel-Censoir, folded Journal-Poste N^o 8 postmarked "Paris, Bd. Beaumarchais, 30 Nov. 70" double circle, franked with 20c Cérès (small fault) tied by numeral "12" star cancel, backstamped "Châtel-Censoir" arrival postmark with indistinct date, Very Fine and scarce, carried by the Jules Favre N^o 2.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $270

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