Boian disinfection

  • Fully prepaid letter sent on February 16, 1856 from Botoshani, Moldavia to Coeln (Koln Cologne), Kingdom of Prussia. The letter was sent with the Austrian post in the last period of the Crimean war. It was charged at Botoshani 12 kreutzer. The Austro-German Postal Union of 1850 and an extended Union Treaty was drawn up to operate from 1st July 1852 allow the Austrians to charge for the North Germany three silbergroschen for a distance over 20 German miles (aprox. 150 km). The nine kreuzer were charged for the Austrian transit. Route: Botoshani - Czernowitz - Krakov - Myslowitz - Coeln. Disinfection performed at Boian.

  • Does the letters disinfected at Boian have a specific rastel pattern?

  • Thank you for the question. Inspecting dozens of covers disinfected at Boian I did not find any pattern. It looks that the letters were punch-hole in a quite chaotic way. Distances between the holes may vary from 2, 3 cm to 5, 6 cm on one letter.

    The holes have a diameter of 1 mm. It is possible that they had an paddle which during the time needed repairs.

  • Letter from Jassy (June 20th, 1853) via the Austrian border post office Czernowitz (June 22nd) via Krakau (June 26th) and from there in closed mail via Valenciennes to Paris (June 29th).


    Postmark of Paris with number "3" = via Valenciennes

    Postmark "AUTR. 2 VALnes" = from Austria via Valenciennes


    The letter was disinfected in Boian and has on back a hand written rastel-number.


    The recipient had to pay 16 décimes (postage for letter up to 7,5 g).