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…).