Lot
3333 
France, 1870 (Sept. 25) Miniature Ballon Monté Cover, franked with 10c bister on yellowish, type II, Empire Laure, horiz. pair tied on homemade miniature Ballon Monté cover to Montpelier, tied by two strikes of "Paris R. St. Dominique St. Gn 53, 2E 25 Sept 70" double circle postmarks with additional strike on reverse, inside of cover with tiny hand written message, carried by the balloon the États Unis, Extremely Fine; signed Calves. Yvert Nos. 28A. Scott Nos. 32 Estimate $4,000 - 6,000.
THIS IS PROBABLY THIS SMALLEST BALLOON COVER EXISTENT AND CERTAINLY THE SMALLEST COVER FRANKED WITH A PAIR OF STAMPS. A WONDERFUL ARTIFACT FROM THE FRANCO-PRUSSIAN WAR.