Handwritten letter dated 5 September 1870 relating his status as a prisoner in its envelope stamped with the black PP and the Post mark of SEDAN dated 7 September 1870 to VITROLLES. Arrived on 10 November 1870. Letter from a prisoner following the defeat at Sedan. Superb. R. (Image)

20c. Lauré cancelled on letter stamped with the Post mark from NANTES TO PARIS - B of 17 September 1870 to PARIS. Arrived on the 18th. Entry into Paris very late before the total siege and the stop of the mail. Superb. R. (Image)

20c. Lauré cancelled Etoile on handwritten letter from DRUCOURT dated 31 October 1870 to PARIS. Very Fine. (Image)

20c. Lauré cancelled 3934 on handwritten letter from DRUCOURT stamped with the Post mark of THIBERVILLE of 23 November 1870 to PARIS. Very Fine. (Image)

20c. Lauré cancelled GC 3934 on handwritten letter from DRUCOURT, stamped with the Post mark of THIBERVILLE of 25 November 1870 to PARIS. Transit stamp ''CHERBOURG IN PARIS'' of 25 November. Fine. (Image)

PELVILAIN SMUGGLER TO PARIS. His agency operated for several months, starting in Rouen (before it was occupied). At least one of his messengers returned to Paris on December 4, 1870. 10c. laureates cancelled GC 1365 on letter stamped with the Post mark of DURAS of 23 October 1870 to PARIS in the good care of M. PELVILAIN, merchant in Paris, Rouen. ''... Today I receive your letter to be taken to the man in question... As in your letter you speak to me of Mr. PELVILAIN, I wrote to this gentleman, asking him to send you my little note by any means...''. On the back, Post mark of ROUEN of 26 October 1870. To this letter is attached the handwritten letter of PELVILAIN dated Rouen on October 26. "I am pleased to inform you that the letter you sent me for Mr. Pelletier has left for Paris by secret messenger. May God protect him! I hope to send another messenger in eight days. Your letter of the 23rd has reached me..., it can only be sent by the next messenger." Autograph letter signed by PELVILAIN (his blue commercial stamp on the back PELVILAIN/TRANSIT ET COMMISSIONon ROUEN). This is an extraordinary ensemble and the certainty that this letter from Duras has arrived at the PELLETIERS' house, otherwise these 2 letters, the one from PELVILAIN and this letter for Paris, would not be found together. Superb. RR. (Image)

PASSER BARTHE. Return to Paris by smuggler. 10c. Bordeaux cancelled full star on letter recommaImperforatee, from Monsieur Jules MAISTRE, stamped with the Post mark of PARIS of 16 January 1871 for PARIS. Letter entered by the ferryman BARTHE. Superb. RRR. (Image)

10c. bistre-brun, from Alsace-Lorraine, on handwritten letter from SEDAN of 31 January 1871 stamped with the framed blue Post mark. K. PR. FELD-POST RELAY N°27 to PARIS. Arrival stamp PARIS (60) of 4 February 1871. Superb. RR. (Image)

20c. Bordeaux, marginal marks, cancelled on letter stamped with the Post mark of ARCACHON of 2 February 1871 to PARIS. City besieged, but letter entered PARIS on February 6 with French stamp. Superb. RR. (Image)

Handwritten letter from CHERBOURG, 28 October 1870, franked with a 20c. Lauré, cancelled blue star to PARIS. On the back, Post mark of arrival from PARIS 18 February 1871. PARIS * 60 * in blue. Superb. (Image)

THE CITY OF FLORENCE. Untaxed letter stamped with the Post mark ARMEE DU RHIN BAU AL of 18 September 1870 to RENNES. Arrival in October. 1st date seen to date for this stamp on Ballon Monté. Superb. RRR. (Image)

THE CITY OF FLORENCE. Letter from a Mobile Guard stamped with the red stamp "P.P." and the Post mark of PARIS - SENAT of 23 September 1870 to TROUVILLE-SUR-MER - CALVADOS. Arrival on October 1st (not very visible). Superb. (Image)

THE CITY OF FLORENCE. 20c. Seat x 2 cancelled star 15 on letter stamped with the octagonal Post mark of exceptional levy from PARIS - R. BONAPARTE of 24 September 1870 to MONTJEAN - MAINE-ET-LOIRE. On the back, a postmark of passage through LE MANS and arrival on September 28th. Superb. RR. (Image)

THE CITY OF FLORENCE. Small handwritten letter stamped with the Post mark Taxe ''30c. PARIS - PL. DE LA MADELEINE'' of 24 September 1870 to L'ISLE-AUMONT - AUBE. Arrival on the back, pearly postmark of arrival on October 1st. Superb. (Image)

THE CITY OF FLORENCE. 20c. Lauré cancelled star on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - LA MAISON BLANCHE of 24 September 1870 to TOULOUSE. On the back, the arrival stamp of 29 September. Very Fine. (Image)

Delayed mail THE CITY OF FLORENCE. 20c. Laurés cancelled on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS (60) of 23 September 1870 to CHATILLON-SUR-LOIRE - LOIRET. Arrived on 24 October 1870. Superb. (Image)

Delayed mail THE CITY OF FLORENCE. 20c. Laurés cancelled star ''4'' on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - RUE D'ENGHIEN of 23 September 1870 to Le Mans. Arrived on 24 October 1870. Very Fine. (Image)

Envelope entrusted to the UNITED STATE. Butterfly stamped with the blue MARINS de LORIENT stamp bound for CHAUMONT - HAUTE-MARNE. On the back, the arrival stamp of CHAUMONT-EN-BASSIGNY dated 1 October 1870. Superb. RRR. (Image)

THE UNITED STATES. 10c. + 2 x 20c. Lauré (def.) cancelled GC 347 on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - BATIGNOLLES of 26 September 1870 to VITERBO - ITALY. Arrival on October 6th. Very Fine. R. (Image)

THE UNITED STATES. Letter from Le Bicêtre dated 27 September 1870 stamped with the stamp of FRANKLIN ''Le Général de Division du 13° Corps'' and the Post mark of PARIS of 27 September 1870 to MOUTIERS-LES-MAUXFAITS - VEImperforateEE. Arrived on October 2, 1870. Very rare franchise brand. Very Fine. (Image)

THE UNITED STATES. 20c. + 80c. Lauré cancelled star on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - RUE D'ENGHIEN of 27 September 1870 to LIMA - PEROU. Arrival in St-Nazaire on 7 October. Departure by Paquebot PAQ FR n°4 Line B on 16 October. Arrival in VERA CRUZ - MEXICO on November 13th then transit to LIMA with arrival on December 2nd. PP in red for Postage Paid. The envelope did not go through the steamer from Southampton but through the French liner leaving St. Nazaire first. After VERA CRUZ he preImperforate the voice of PANAMA for PERU. 1st letter seen to date. GraImperforatee rarity. Superb. RRR. (Image)

THE UNITED STATES. Small handwritten letter from MONTROUGE dated 27 September 1870 stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - MONTROUGE-PARIS of 28 September 1870 to ALZONNE - AUDE. Arrival on the back. Very Fine. (Image)

Envelope entrusted to the CELESTE. 20c. Lauré, cancelled on handwritten letter from PARIS of 26 September 1870 to ETRETAT - SEINE INFERIEURE. Transit stamp PARIS TO LE HAVRE of 4 October 1870. On his arrival in ETRETAT, letter forwarded to LOImperforateRES. Manuscript tax at 4d. for insufficient postage. Arrival at LOImperforateRES OC 16 70. Very Fine. (Image)

THE CELESTE. 20c. Lauré cancelled GC 1 on letter without inscription ''Ballon Monté'' stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - PL. DE LA BOURSE of 28 September 1870 to LA ROCHE-POSAY. On the back, transit stamp via LOCHES on 19 October and arrival at LA ROCHE POSAY on the 18th. Very Fine. (Image)

THE ARMAImperforate BARBES. 20c. Lauré cancelled étoile 11 cancelled on letter stamped with the Post mark of PARIS - R. ST-HONORE of 29 September 1870 to ST-ETIENNE. Arrival on October 16th. Superb. (Image)