Worldwide Stamps and Postal History

P.S "Bearn". 1865 (Feb 22) Entire letter from Rio de Janeiro to Paris bearing 1861 280 reis red (four large margins) tied by a vertical oval of bars, datestamps of Rio de Janeiro, "BRESIL / CALAIS" and Paris (both Apr 7) with red boxed "PD". Carried on the French paddle steamer "Bearn" which left Rio for Bahia on February 25th but was caught in a storm on the 27th, and stranded a mile off shore by strong currents 47 miles south of Bahia. The ship became a total loss but all crew, passengers and mails were rescued; the passengers and the postal agent with the mails went to Europe on the "Parana" which left Bahia on March 14th. A fine and rare cover, just two covers recorded from this wreck. Photo on Page 58.
Suggested price: £ 1,200-1,500