Lot
4215 
1870 Engineers' Papillon to Poulaines, datelined "Montigny-les-Metz le 22 7bre" (pre-dated by one day) and addressed to Poulaines par Valencay, damaged by water during transit, so placed in envelope de ré-expédition with a manuscript "28 7bre 1870", pencil notation inside of envelope explains "cette dépêche a ete trouvée telle dans celle pour le train 10"; forwarded from Valencay to Poulaines, Very Fine, carried aboard the 4th Engineers' balloon which left Metz on September 21. Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
ONE OF THE GREAT RARITIES OF THE PAPILLONS DE METZ PLACED IN ENVELOPE DE RÉ-EXPÉDITION.
Sent aboard the 4th -Engineers' balloon left besieged Metz on September 21st and was recovered safely in occupied France near Fresnes-en-Voëvre with 25,000 papillons.
Some papillons were sent to their destinations inside of another envelope provided by the post office. These "enveloppes de ré-expédition" are greatly prized by collectors, and only 26 are known today.