[SENT BY BALLOONS FROM BESIEGED PARIS] Lettre-journal de Paris: gazette des absents [Letter-newspaper of Paris: gazette of absentees], nos. 3–18, 20–32, 34–35, 37–40 (of 40), and supplement leaves relating to nos. 4, 13, 14, 20. In 35 issues.

Paris: D[amase] Jouaust, October 29, 1870–February 22, 1871. Octavos (21 × 13.5 cm). Original printed wrappers without binding; each issue a single double-sided sheet of text with by an additional sheet for handwritten texts (here blank), [4] pp. total. Wrapper with tears along the edges; else very good. Item #55812

Near-complete run of this journal published while Paris was under siege by German troops, during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–1871. Taking place from October 20, 1870 to February 22, 1871, the siege resulted in the capture of the city, France’s defeat, and the establishment of both the German Empire and the Paris Commune. During the siege, balloon mail was the only way by which communications from Paris could reach the rest of France. The use of balloons to carry mail was first proposed by the balloonists Felix Nadar and Eugene Godard. The first balloon launch occurred on September 23. A regular mail service was established shortly thereafter, with two workshops set up to manufacture more balloons. An estimated 66 total balloon flights were made during the siege, the vast majority successful – reports were that five balloons were captured by the Prussians, and three went missing, but that overall approximately 2.5 million letters were delivered by mail during these few months.

Several small letter-journals appeared during this time, with the intention of being dispatched by balloon. They were printed on onionskin paper (papier pelure), which weighed less than traditional paper, and included a summary of the latest news as well as a section for a handwritten letter or note. The Lettre-Journal de Paris was the most important of these. 48 total issues were printed, two to three per week, from October 22, 1870 to February 22, 1871.

As of August 2026, KVK and OCLC show four holdings in North America.

Price: €2,500.00

other currencies