Lot
4134 
1870 (Dec. 19) Paris to Coutances (Pli Confié), folded letter datelined "Paris le 19 Dec. 1870", franked with 20c Empire Lauré tied by large numeral "1494" losange cancel with "La Ferté-Mace, 24 Dec. 70" transit postmark, backstamped "Coutances, 25 Dec." arrival postmark, Very Fine; signed Calves. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A VERY RARE BALLON MONTÉ COVER CARRIED BY THE ROUGET-DE-L'ISLE OF WHICH PERHAPS ONLY 3-4 COVERS EXIST.
This balloon carried only official dispatches - no mail was postmarked by the Paris Post Office. Private letters were included only if entrusted to the pilot (as "plis confiés"), and all such are extremely rare.
Realized: $6,500