Lot
4199 
1870 (Oct.) Paris to Pont-l'Abbé-Lambour (Pli Confié), folded cover written by a guard at the Tuileries on Nadar's printed letterhead "Defense Nationale, 18e Arrondt Observations Aérostatiques sous la direction des Citoyens, Nadar - Dartois - Duruof", cover addressed to Pont-l'Abbé-Lambour and given to Nadal just before the balloon departure; reverse with superb strike of red "Republique-Française, 1 Aérostiers, Nadar - Dartois - Duruof" cachet on the reverse, "30" centimes unpaid letter postage due handstamp applied, backstamped "Quimper, 22 Oct. 70" transit and "Pont-l'Abbé-Lambour, 22 Oct. 70" arrival, Extremely Fine and choice; with 2014 Roumet certificate. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A STUNNING AND HISTORIC ITEM CARRIED BY THE PILOT, NADAL ON THE VICTOR HUGO. ROUMET CERTIFICATES READS, PREMIÈRE PIÈCE VUE À CE JOUR, PIÈCE MAJEURE DU SIÈGE DE PARIS. (FIRST PIECE SEEN TO DATE, A MAJOR PIECE OF THE SIEGE OF PARIS).
Letter includes "Je suis de garde au pont tournant du Tuileries, on gonfle un ballon qui va partir du jardin, un employé est assez bon pour me donner ce papier…" (I am on guard at the Tuileries swing bridge, we inflate a balloon that will leave the garden, an employee is good enough to give me this paper…).
Lot
4200
1870 (Oct. 19) Paris to Cahors, small envelope with tissue paper enclosure datelined "Fort Montrouge le 19 Octobre 1870", postmarked "Paris, Montrouge-Paris, 19 Oct. 70" double circle and franked by 1863 20c Empire Lauré tied by large numeral "2523" losange cancel with black "P.P." boxed handstamp alongside, cover also struck by circular "Marine Impériale/Equipages de la Flotte/Commandant du 2e Bataillon" naval unit marking, unusually applied to the front of the letter; part of the southern Nogent mail per the November 2 arrival in Cahors, adhesive folded over edge of cover and cut upon opening, F.-V.F., carried by the Garibaldi. Estimate $600 - 800.
Realized: $550
Lot
4201
1870 (Oct. 20) Paris to Vannes, folded cover datelined "Puteaux 17 8bre 1870" by Colonel Armand de Camas of the Morbihan garde mobile; postmarked "Paris (60) 3, 20 Oct. 70" (rare "cachet de route") franked with 1863 20c Empire Lauré tied by muted star cancel, backstamped circular "Garde Nationale Mobile/31e Rgt/*Morbihan*" handstamp on the reverse; part of the northern Amiens mail per the November 3 arrival at Vannes, minor edge stains due to tape reinforcement, F.-V.F., carried by the Garibaldi. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Lot
4202
1870 (Nov. 4) Paris to Sailor on board the Savoie at Cherbourg (Pli Confié), small folded cover datelined "Paris 1er Novembre 70" and confided to the naval pilot Le Gloarnec; addressed to a Sailor on board the French Warship Savoie franked with 1863 20c Empire Lauré and tied by "Caen-Paris D, 4 Nov. 70" ambulant double circle postmark while in transit from Tours; backstamped "Cherbourg, 5 Nov. 70" arrival postmark, Extremely Fine and rare; with 2015 Roumet certificate. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
CARRIED ON THE FULTON AND THE ONLY KNOWN COVER WITH THIS CANCELLATION.
Lot
4203
1870 (Nov. 13) Paris to Vannes, small folded cover postmarked "Paris, Ministère des Finances, 13 Nov. 70" double circle & franked with 1870 20c Siege tied by numeral "35" star cancel, reverse with excellent strike of blue circular "3eme Armée 2eme Division 1ere Brigade Le Colonel Commdt" on reverse with Vannes, 28 Nov. 70 double circle arrival postmark, Very Fine and rare, carried by the Général Uhrich. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Letter written by Colonel de Camas, who had been recently promoted to the command of a brigade in the 3eme Armée.
Realized: $700
Lot
4204
1870 (Nov. 15) Paris to Orgon, rare Orlandi "République Française" printed postcard written by 14th Corps artilleryman to Orgon, postmarked "Neuilly-sur-Seine, 15 Nov. 70" double circle which ties 1863 10c Empire Lauré, illegible Orgon arrival postmark (probably November 27), Very Fine and scarce, delayed from the Général Uhrich and carried by the Archimède. Estimate $600 - 800.
Realized: $550
Lot
4205
1870 (Nov. 16) Paris to Castres, folded cover with blue "Armée de Paris/Garde Nle Mobile Departle/7e Régiment/Colonel Louis de Juge" military commander's handstamp, franked with 1863 20c Empire Lauré (creased due to placement at edge of cover) tied by red "Paris (SC), 16 Nov. 70" double circle postmark, "Luzarches, 20 Nov. 70" double circle & "Calais-Paris 2o A, 22 Nov. 70" transit postmarks, F.-V.F., carried by the Général Uhrich; with 1992 Robineau certificate. Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $525
Lot
4206
1870 (Nov. 23) Paris to Nantes, folded letter datelined "Mont Valérien le 21 9bre 70"; double circle postmark "Armée Française Quartr Gal, 23 Nov. 70" fieldpost bureau for the 14th Corps headquarters; prepaid by an 1863 20c Empire Lauré cancelled by the datestamp; double circle "Nantes, 22 Dec. 70" arrival postmark, Very Fine and rare, carried by the Jacquard and part of the Bryher recovery. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Realized: $750
Lot
4207
1870 (Dec. 7) Paris to St. Martin de Connée, folded letter postmarked "Paris (60), 7 Dec. 70" double circle and endorsed "(Garde mobile)" at upper left; handstamped black "P.P." for a rare late military free frank, excellent strike of blue "3eme Bataillon Garde Natle Mobile/Le Commandant/(D'Ille & Vilaine)" unit marking on the reverse and "St. Martin de Connée, 18 Dec. 70" arrival postmark, cover with vertical file fold, F.-V.F., carried by the Général Renault. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $270
Lot
4208
1871 (Jan. 5) Paris to St. Brieuc, cover with original enclosure with red "Paris (SC), 5 Jan. 70" ties an an 1870 10c Siege pair (left stamp with corner defect) reverse with two strikes of red "Garde Nationale de la Seine/République Française * Conseils de Guerre *" unit marking & "St Brieuc, 22 Jan. 70" arrival postmark, Very Fine, carried by the Duquesne and part of the mail taken to Bordeaux. Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $450