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Ballon-Poste 1871
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Ballon-Poste 1871
A Ballon-Poste loaded with mail leaves the place Saint- Pierre, Montmartre Date: January 1871
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Media ID 7112479
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10063280
1871 Ballon Balloon Loaded Mail Mont Martre Pierre Poste Siege January
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image captures the historic moment of a Ballon-Poste, or mail balloon, taking off from Place Saint-Pierre in Montmartre, Paris, in January 1871. The Siege of Paris had begun just a month prior, isolating the city from the rest of France and cutting off all land-based mail services. In response, the French Postal Service turned to an unconventional means of transportation: balloons. The Ballon-Poste, filled with mail sacks and a small propane gas burner, is seen here prepared for takeoff. The crew, consisting of a pilot and a mail handler, are shown in the basket, ready to embark on their daring journey. The scene is bustling with activity as onlookers gather to witness the spectacle, some waving handkerchiefs in farewell or encouragement. The Ballon-Poste was an essential lifeline during the siege, transporting mail, newspapers, and even some supplies in and out of the city. Each flight was a risky endeavor, as the balloons were vulnerable to wind currents, bad weather, and potential enemy fire. Despite these challenges, the mail balloons made regular flights, maintaining a vital connection between Paris and the outside world. This photograph is a testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the people during the Siege of Paris. It serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and the lengths people will go to maintain it, even in the most trying of circumstances.
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