Balloons used to carry mail out of a sieged city.

During the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71 the city of Paris was completely cut off from the outside world by the Prussian army. Balloons were used to carry refugees and mail from the besieged city.

From 19^th September, 1870 to 28^th January, 1871, 66 balloons were used by the Parisians to carry 155 refugees, 354 carrier pigeons and over 2.5 million letters out of Paris. Each piece flown required a notation "Par Ballon Monte" indicating that it was a manned balloon. Balloon montes are relatively expensive and prices can vary according to specific balloons and markings.

Covers flown out of Paris were then forwarded to the addressees through normal mail channels.

Special balloon postcards 10 x 7 cm were manufactured of thin green paper subject to a maximum weight of 4gm.

The address side of a balloon postcard from the siege of Paris, 1870. Postage of 20 centimes was imprinted on the card.

First Balloon Flight in India

THE first balloon ascent in India was made at Calcutta on 16^th March, 1836 by Mr. Dimitri Robertson, a French Aeronaut. He had successfully made sixteen ascents before in different places in Europe. The first balloon ascent in India took place from Garden Beach Road, Calcutta. Some letters were carried by Mr. Robertson in his balloon flight and conveyed by means of pigeons to the exhibition ground below. Unfortunately, no details are available nor any letter seem to have survived. This balloon was 24 ft in diameter containing 9006 cubic feet of hydrogen gas. The balloon rose well, but before it attained a good height, it was seen returning earthward. The Aeronaut threw the ballast overboard to assist upward course of the balloon, it was all in vain. He however managed to descend safely, but the balloon was ripped to pieces so no more ascents were possible.

A special Balloon flight with mail was arranged to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the event.