Lot 188

✉ FRANCIA. 1870 (1-10 Dec.). PARIS to GENEVA. BALLOON "LE DENIS-PAPIN" and "LE PARMENTIER". Two covers sent "CARE OF PATEK PHILLIPE" , the first with a coded message and the second (delayed due to Enemy Action) with an interesting content "we advise London and hope to send you particulars per "Bag"". This was the regular weekly US Diplomatic Bag which General Washburn had exchanged at Sevres Bridge and taken to London to the US Embassy by Prussian messenger. A very interesting pair, an example of Balloon Post use of the US Diplomatic pouch for bullion.