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| Main centres: | 1-3 business days |
| Regional areas: | 3-4 business days |
| Remote areas: | 3-5 business days |
This fine postal history item comprises a folded letter sent from Paris on 3 April 1857, carried via the Paris à Lyon railway mail line on 4 April, and received at Orange on 5 April 1857. The cover bears an Empire Français 20c imperforate blue tied by Paris dotted lozenge losange à gros chiffres cancel with letter A at center, alongside clear Paris date stamp and wax seal remnants on reverse. The reverse retains remnants of a red wax seal, adding authenticity and period charm. Inside is the original letter, written in neat 19thcentury cursive, addressed to Beymann fils, négociants in Brague near the Eaux de Vals. Manuscript notes on the reverse (jours de mon de passage 1316 7 1857) provide additional provenance, reflecting the senders travel or delivery details.
The combination of imperforate Empire issue, dual postmarks documenting the full route (Paris Lyon Orange), and the intact letter with wax seal remnants makes this a highly desirable piece of French postal history. It illustrates the efficiency of the mid19th century French railway mail system and offers collectors both philatelic and historical value. The letter is a business inquiry from Blachier of Paris to Meynard fils in Orange, asking for the price and availability of essence marine, also called fucine (a seaweedderived extract rich in iodine, used in medicine and industry). The sender specifies he needs a large quantity, requests details on how it has been treated, and asks for confirmation of how much stock is available.
