Auction Catalogue

21 March 2001

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Ancient, Celtic, British and World Coins. Tokens, Tickets and Passes. Historical and Art Medals. Numismatic Books. British and World Paper Money.

The Regus Conference Centre  12 St James Square  London  SW1Y 4RB

Lot

№ 870

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21 March 2001

Hammer Price:
£95

France, Siège de Paris, 1870-71, a silver medal by J.-C. Chaplain, seated female with two cherubs, reverse legend in wreath, 32mm; together with Communications Aériennes, Paris, 1871, a bronze award medal by C.-J. M. Degeorge for the Ministère de la Guerre, female figure seated on the side of a cannon, a carrier-pigeon flying into her arms, dirigible in air behind, reverse pigeon basket, un-named, 62mm (cf. CGMP p.122; BDM I, 544; BM Acq. 1983-7, p.19, 48; Malpas 94; cf. DNW 46, 760) [2]. Very fine and better (£40-60)

By September 1870 Prussian troops had surrounded Paris and cut off all communications. A series of successful balloon flights carried mail to the outside world, while carrier pigeons were used to bring back microfilmed letters which were then enlarged and distributed by the post office in Paris. The siege marked the first regular airmail service and the first use of microfimed mail