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Auction: 5021 - France, Featuring the Château Ramezay Collection, Europe & O/seas & B. Empire
Lot: 2115

x Boule de Moulins This exquisite collection is quite probably one of the largest and finest we have been privileged to offer with no less than 29 covers detailing this extraordinary service undertaken during the Siege of Paris by the Prussian Army. Mail for besieged Paris was placed inside zinc circular containers (designed with an air compartment inside to make them float and spokes on the outer surface to let them be taken by the current) at Moulins Sur Allier and then taken by one Monsieur Delort to the area around Bray sur Seine. There they were placed in the Seine and drifted downstream towards Paris. (Delort was sometimes subjected to a Prussian Army search-one Boule famously being smuggled into Paris in a bag of rice. Each Boule contained between 500 to 800 letters. This rather hit and miss service was announced on 23rd December 1870 and commenced on the 4th January 1871 (the first example below being written on that day). The service cost the rather unreasonable sum of 1 franc for an ordinary letter of 4 grams, with the outer covers to be addressed ´Paris par Moulins´. Not all of the Boules arrived safely, nor were all recovered during the Siege. Condition due to the excesses of time, water and thin paper required due to the 4 gram weight tariff is normally very poor, the following lots being generally of excellent quality, many have not been seen on the Philatelic Market for 40 years.Lots are described in chronological order of arrival date or the date when the Boule was located. 1871 (Jan 5): Stampless cover and complete original contents with Carentan despatch c.d.s. (erroneously dated ´70´ for ´71´) and red "P.P." on front, marked at top "Paris Par Moulins Allier" and further notation made on arrival "percu 1 F en numeraire" with reverse showing Cherbourg/Paris TPO c.d.s. of the same day (also dated in error). A remarkable and fresh entire. The Boules de Moulins service was announced on 23rd December 1870 and began on 4th January 1871. Robineau certificate (1965). Photo Estimate £ 800-1,000

Sold for
£2,400