Lot no. 42

1866 (AUG 1), Lettersheet dated "Obereisenheim 31. Juli 1866" and posted at Schweinfurt, franked with 1862, 12 kreuzer green and 3 kreuzer carmine red, tied by open cogwheel "479", addressed to Trier (Prussia), endorsed "via France". Due to the German-Austrian war with its several battles in the north of Bavaria, direct postal connections between Bavaria and the northern States were partly interrupted and a special diversion of mail via France was introduced in mid July 1866. The fee for such letters was 15 kreuzer per 7,5 grammes; they were transported in closed mail bags. An attrative and exceedingly rare letter; to-date the only recorded example of a special war rate letter from Bavaria to Prussia.

The battle of Üttingen near Würzburg took place on July 25 and 26, 1866, Würzburg was still attacked by the Prussian army on July 27 and the railroad from Würzburg to Frankfurt was closed due to troop movements. This cover most likely travelled via railway Bamberg-Nürnberg-Ulm-Stuttgart-Straßburg and from here forwarded to Trier.