"Ballon Monté: The Aerial Mail of the Siege of Paris (1870-1872)"

Introduction

The Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 was a conflict marked by rapid advances in military technology, and one of the most innovative developments during this period was the use of balloons for military and postal purposes. The Ballon Monté, or "mailed balloon," represented a remarkable intersection of science, logistics, and communication. This article explores the fascinating history of the Ballon Monté during the Siege of Paris, an event that marked the birth of aerial mail services.

The Siege of Paris

In the autumn of 1870, Paris found itself under siege by Prussian forces. The city was encircled, cut off from the outside world, and facing severe food shortages. In this dire situation, communication with the outside became a critical necessity.

The Birth of Aerial Mail

Enter the Ballon Monté. Recognizing the need for communication, the French postal service, La Poste, in collaboration with pioneering aeronauts, conceived a daring plan. They would use balloons to carry mail and dispatches out of the besieged city and into the hands of the French government in Tours and the international community.

The First Flight

On September 23, 1870, the first Ballon Monté, named "Le Neptune," lifted off from the Parc Montceau in Paris. Onboard were mailbags filled with letters and documents. The flight was not without risks. The balloonists faced dangers from enemy fire, strong winds, and technical challenges, but their mission was of utmost importance.

Success and Innovation

Despite the challenges, the Ballon Monté flights were remarkably successful. The balloons were ingeniously designed to descend by means of a parachute, making it possible for them to safely land in various locations. The system of aerial mail relied on specially designed envelopes with a unique cachet stamp indicating their aerial origin.

Frequency and Varieties

Over the course of the siege, approximately 66 Ballon Monté flights were made from Paris. These balloons bore names such as "Le Washington," "Le Général Faidherbe," and "Le Ville de Florence." Each flight carried mail that became highly coveted by collectors and historians.

End of the Siege and Legacy

The Siege of Paris came to an end in January 1871, but the Ballon Monté flights continued briefly until February 1872. While the Balloon Mail system was born out of necessity during wartime, it left a lasting legacy in the field of postal history. The concept of aerial mail was further developed and refined in the decades that followed, eventually paving the way for modern air mail services.

Conclusion

The Ballon Monté flights of 1870-1872 represented an ingenious solution to the communication challenges faced during the Siege of Paris. These daring aerial mail missions combined the art of ballooning with the practicality of postal services, creating a unique chapter in both military history and the history of mail delivery. The Ballon Monté serves as a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability in times of crisis.

67 balloons took off from Paris during the siege of which 58 landed safely. In total they carried 102 people, approximately 500 pigeons, many tons of mail and five dogs.These were to return to Paris carrying microfilms, but never made their way back. More than 2 million pieces of mail were carried to places all over the world.

This Ballon Monte collection included the years from 1870 to 1871. This use to be one of my largest collection, made almost twenty years ago - 112 exhibition pages - received 88 points/Gold. I have remade some of the pages, as they were written in German and were quite old looking. I have no hurry, so be patient as this might take time:)