738 - CLARETIE, Jules. Letter to "Dear Mr. [Léon] Bérardi" sent by hot-air balloon. Paris, January 3, 1871; 1 p., double-leaf in-8° format, brown ink on fine blue paper, 10 c. Cérès and 20 c. Napoleon III postage stamps, various French and Belgian postmarks (ink slightly faded but very legible; slight creases from mailing; a 3-cm tear from opening the envelope affecting the postmarks). Good condition. A remarkable letter written during the siege of Paris and sent by mounted balloon to Léon Bérardi, editor of *L’Indépendance belge*. Claretie extends his New Year’s greetings to him, expressing the hope of soon being able to join him in Brussels: “Good day and Happy New Year! - So much has happened since my visit to Brussels! - I thought I’d see you again sooner.” Above all, he offers a striking account of the mood in the capital, which had been under siege for more than three months: “Paris is holding out and will hold out. It will hold out until the last cartridge, until the last piece of bread. And it still has wheat and gunpowder. But will anyone come to its aid?” Despite the hardships and military uncertainty, he still wants to believe in a turnaround: “At last, 1870 is over! Perhaps the new year will be better.” Written on January 3, the letter left Paris the next day aboard the tethered balloon “Le Newton” and arrived in Brussels on January 11. Enclosed: id. - Autograph letter to [Claire Bérardi, née Piérard]. No place, March 25, 1879. 2 pp., double-leaf in-18, monogrammed paper. Expressions of gratitude and various news items, mentioning Victor Hugo in particular. (2 items)