War-dated ALS in French, signed "Ch. Pierret," three pages on two adjoining sheets, the address panel printed with "Par Ballon Monté," 4 x 5.25, October 21, 1870. Untranslated letter to "Madame Pierret, Lascelle par Aurillac, (Cantal)," sent via balloon mail during the Franco-Prussian War. Postmarked at Paris on October 24, 1870, at Aurillac on November 1st, and at Lascelle on November 2nd. In fine condition. Used as an early airmail service, balloons were the only means of communication from within the besieged city of Paris to the rest of France. About sixty-five of these trips were made, nearly all arriving at their intended destination. The phrase "ballon monté" on the address panel indicates that it was to be carried by a manned balloon, versus an unmanned one.
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