Lot
4141 
1870 (Dec. 28) Paris to London, folded formular letter postmarked "Paris, R. D'Antin, 28 Dec. 70" double circle postmark and franked with 30c Empire Lauré tied by numeral "8" Star cancel, postmarked red "London, Ja. 3 71" arrival postmark, Very Fine, carried by the Bayard. Estimate $500 - 750.
A FASCINATING AND HISTORIC LETTER.
Letter written in English datelined "Paris, 100th Day of Siege", with contents which include details of food available, "nearly starved, we have plenty of bread & wine & horse for sometime. Beef & Mutton have gone, though a leg of mutton was seen, …an egg cost 40 sous, a pair of fowl 51frs, Rabbit 35+40, Cats 10frs, Rats 1/50 ea, a Duck 40, All the beast at the Jardin des plantes are eaten such as the Camels, Antelope. I believe we have not begun the Elephants & Lions but if it lasts much longer they will go also."
Due to a severe shortage of food, Parisians were forced to slaughter whatever animals were at hand. Rats, dogs, cats, and horses were the first to be slaughtered and became regular fare on restaurant menus. Once the supply of those animals ran low, the citizens of Paris turned on the zoo animals residing at Jardin des Plantes. Even Castor and Pollux, the only pair of elephants in Paris, were slaughtered for their meat.
Realized: $2,700