French Foreign Legion Postmark With Letter By Captain

I was thrilled to find this item but need some info. The obvious postmark is LEGION ETRANGERE Foreign Legion this military outfit formed in 1831 the letter done in 1832 so quiet early use of the postmark and I have not been able to find any other examples. So what does the postmark on the front stand for. AED? also AP armee ?? possibly republique?? Maybe the experts on here can work out these postmarks? Letter seems to be a Captain Palde would be great to find some info on him to. Help appreciated as far as I can tell this is a scarce item.

A.E.D. would mean (pre-)PAID To Destination.

Ok that's one figured out thanks Scotzm do we have any other examples of the AED postmark being used in French mail? The black ARMEE EX?? I am intrigued what that says. I'd like to see clearer examples of these postmarks if there are better printed examples from books with descriptions

Forgot to add the other bit ... A ARMEE EXPEDre. D'AFRIQUE which would probably mean being stationed in Algeria.

Wow thanks A ARMEE EXPEDre. D'AFRIQUE so this is the legion being on service in Africa one year after it was formed?

a ha found this info: The Legion served alongside the Battalions of Light Infantry of Africa, formed in 1832, which was a penal military unit made up of men with prison records who still had to do their military service or soldiers with serious disciplinary problems. So the Captain Palde must have been commanding the small force in Africa.

Or if I am reading the postmark correctlty he served in Algeria? Thanks for the link

The "A" before ARMEE EXPEDre D'AFRIQUE indicates Algiers.

Ok so a safe bet he was part of this group.

Created to fight "outside mainland France", the Foreign Legion was stationed in Algeria, where it took part in the pacification and development of the colony, notably by drying the marshes in the region of Algiers. The Foreign Legion was initially divided into six "national battalions" (Swiss, Poles, Germans, Italians, Spanish, and Dutch-Belgian)maller national groups, such as the ten Englishmen recorded in December 1832, appear to have been placed randomly.

Thanks Scotzm can you find a printed example of the LEGION ETRANGERE postmark is it scarce?

I've not seen one of those before. Perhaps it should be described as a "cachet" as I think postmark is not strictly correct... or described as a "postal marking" which covers most things on a cover
I'd suggest the cover be seen by a French speaker and possibly with more knowledge. It is certainly a worthy item as it is signed ? Paldi who writes he is a Captain in the Foreign Legion which gives the item a great provenance.

If you haven't already, you really should get this translated. The letter is addressed to the Anselin Booksellers at 9 Rue Dauphine in Paris. They were a major dealer in military works, and I suspect this letter is asking if they stock a particular book, as I see a reference to "le Journal Militaire" in the upper body of text.

And BTW, that address in Paris is now an Italian restaurant.

Thanks scotzm I will describe it as cachet I do think this cachet is rare though as its been used in the early formation of the Legion. Another question how would the letter have been sent to Paris? Is it maritime gone by ship? What route?

I have now learned the "AED" en red postmark is (Affranchi Etranger Destination)

Thanks PostmasterGS very helpful and your right it is worth transalting but the language maybe a little tricky to translate as I have found with French letters this old in the past they are not always that easy to read in modern French. One needs an specific French dictionary that has the correct old words in it I think. You've already found an important fact though regarding "le Journal Militaire" . Maybe the letter can be put into modern French first? Someone can type it up here?

I did notice Captain Paldi wrote the letter and am hoping someone on here can find his military info online somewhere

What a cool item

PS can anyone make out what it says in the center of the the LEGION ETRANGERE cachet?

I'm assuming that says "Conseil", but I can't make out the second word.