Description
Folded stampless-style business letter with original contents, mailed Lyon, France to Anvers (Antwerp), Belgium, dated 7 December 1853.
The outer address panel bears a single classic France 20 centimes blue Napoleon imperforate (Yvert et Tellier type of the 1853 issue), inscribed “POSTES 20”, tied by the typical French grilled lozenge of dots cancel. At right is a clear red circular date stamp “LYON 7 DEC 53”.
On the reverse are additional markings, including a blue circular merchant or forwarding cachet and a red arrival mark, confirming cross-border travel into Belgium.
Inside is the full handwritten French letter, dated “Lyon, 7 Décembre 1853”, addressed to Monsieur L. J. Debruynen / Anvers. The content appears to be commercial correspondence discussing quantities, prices and balances due—classic mid-19th-century trade between a Lyon firm and a Belgian partner.
This makes the piece a very attractive example of:
• Early French Second Empire postal history
• International mail to Belgium
• Complete commercial entire with original contents
Perfect for a collector of classic France, Belgium destination mail, or European mercantile history.
Item Specifics
• Country/Region of Origin: France
• City of Origin: Lyon
• Destination: Anvers (Antwerp), Belgium
• Year: 1853
• Stamp: 20c blue Napoleon imperforate, tied by lozenge cancel
• Postal Markings: Red Lyon circular date stamp; backstamp and blue merchant cachet
• Type: Folded letter with original contents (entire)
• Era: Classic 19th century
• Topic: Postal history, international commercial mail
• Certification: Uncertified
Condition
• Folded letter with original file folds
• Tears and chipping along left edge and lower margin, including a small piece missing at bottom
• One vertical fold partially split; some age spotting and handling marks
• Stamp with close to in margins, clear cancel, intact and presentable
Overall, a genuinely used 170-year-old commercial entire that still displays well.
SEO Keywords
France 20c Napoleon cover
1853 Lyon Anvers letter
Classic French postal history
France to Belgium entire
Imperforate Napoleon stamp
19th century commercial correspondence
Antwerp destination cover