Lot
4092 
1870 (Nov. 23) Paris to Panama (Central America), folded "Gazette des Absents No 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