Ancient, British and World Coins, Tokens, Tickets and Passes, Historical and Art Medals, Numismatic Books and Banknotes

France, Communications Aériennes, Paris, 1871, a bronze medal by C.-J. M. Degeorge for the Ministère de la Guerre, Lutetia seated on the side of a cannon, a carrier-pigeon flying into her arms, dirigible in air behind, rev. pigeon basket, un-named, 62mm (cf. CGMP p.122; BDM I, 544; BM Acq. 1983-7, p.19, 48; Malpas 94; cf. DNW 50, 1188). Very fine (£60-80)

Struck to commemorate the pigeon and balloon postage. This was the first continuous air mail service, and another first was the use of the pigeons which carried microfilmed letters

The grade is fine or better and the medal has an edge knock