Lot 269
Fifteenth Balloon of the Siege: 1870...

Stamps and Postal History of the World | 5930
Auction: 29 March 2022 at 01:00 BST
£350
Description
Fifteenth Balloon of the Siege: 1870 entire letter to Angouleme franked by Napoleon III 20c Empire, tied by Star mark with Paris Rue St. Lazare cds for 17 Oct, carried on the Balloon 'Victor Hugo' which departed Paris on 18th Oct, backstamped with Angouleme arrival mark for 22 Oct, very fine, with contents attractively aritten in violet ink.
xxx Victor Hugo, renowned poet was invited by the Balloonist Nadar to the attend the departure of his namesake flying machine, upon receiving the invitation he said to Nadar '' I ask for nothing better than for you to take me up into the heavens''. The balloon however departed early and Hugo missed the event by mistake! xxx

