‘Super rare’ 100-year-old carrier pigeon message found in France

Keep Walking · Nov 10, 2020 ·

Tiny capsule discovered in Ingersheim appears to have been sent by a soldier during the first world war.

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Latest bids

Date	Auction	Username	Bid	Status
24th October 2026 7:40	ZZ..LOT 151 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Botha Loft & Rob A-ZA-25-CRU DERBY-3133 -SENT TO AFRIKAPRO 2026 BY BOTHA LOFT. 583 IS MOTHER TO “ECLIPSE” 2026 AFRIKAPRO BROWN JACKET WINNER FOR BOTHA LOFT. 5TH FINAL 601KM AND 7TH, EQUAL FIRST, RACE 9 509KM. SOLD FOR R900 000 TO JAN HOOYMANS.—————-SIRE:582 BOTHAS 24.F/BRO. TO TURBO KITTEL OF DU PREEZ & DEETLEFS. TURBO KITTEL WAS BEST BIRD IN SOUTH AFRICA. 8X SANPO MEDAL WINNER. 6X GOLD, 1X SILVER AND 1X BRONZE. 5X WINNER. BEST BIRD UNION. BEST YB UNION AND M.DIST. BIRD UNION. F/BROTHER 9059/20-R247000,9060/20-R173 000. 32/23 1782-R105000.————-DAM:583 BOTHAS 24 BBP MOTHER TO “ECLIPSE” 2026 AFRIKAPRO BROWN JACKET WINNER FOR BOTHA LOFT. 5TH FINAL 601KM AND 7TH, EQUAL FIRST, RACE 9 509KM. SOLD FOR R900 000 TO JAN HOOYMANS.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	louis12345	R8,500	Current bid: R8,500
24th October 2026 6:52	ZZ..LOT 136 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Dr. De Weerd (Single)-NL-25-1344500 -SIRE: B 2014-6302511 “Genopte” — Eric Berckmoes Blue cock and proven breeder, sire of winners including 1st Chevrain against 1,224 birds, 1st Quievrain against 1,134 birds, 1st Chevrain against 812 birds, 1st Melun against 334 birds and 1st Vierzon against 272 birds. He is a son of “Anelka” and “Laatste Sprint,” combining national racing performance with a family of winning producers. His pedigree also features “SPRINT,” credited with 22 first prizes in speed racing.—————– DAM: B 2020-6176677 — Eric Berckmoes / Dr. de Weerd Pigeons Chequer hen and proven producer, dam of performers including 3rd Gien against 564 birds, 4th Pt. St. Max against 755 birds and 5th Pt. St. Max against 1,321 birds. She is a daughter of “Lichte,” sire of several leading performers, and “Nationaal Witteke,” winner of 2nd National Châteauroux against 10,454 birds, 7th National Argenton against 3,917 birds and 13th National Argenton against 8,006 birds. A pedigree combining consistent breeding results with outstanding national performances.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	stephen	R2,000	Current bid: R2,000
24th October 2026 6:35	LOT 53 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-TNT Elite Centre-ZA-25-GPU-2563 -SIRE: BE 23 4190839 — “Cherry Blossom Blizzard” A mealy cock from the Blizzard King Kittel strain, purchased directly from Flanders Collection. Described as a superbly bred individual and a superstar in the hand. Sire of ZA 24 GPU 896, “Colorado King,” which placed 2nd in HS2 at the SAIPR One Loft Race. Bred from “Mooie Blizzard” and “Vaal Poulidor,” combining the bloodlines of Blizzard King Kittel, Kittel Rosita 128 and Poulidor Mealy 992.————- DAM: ZA 20 GPU 9800 A blue bar hen of the TNT strain, bred from “Joko” and “Dancing Queen.” Her sire, “Joko,” was the federation’s best long-distance bird in 2017 and has bred GPU Silver and Gold Medal performers, a 3rd Ace Bird at Dinokeng International and a 10th Ace Bird at SAMDPR. Her dam, “Dancing Queen,” is credited with breeding a 3rd Ace Dinokeng, a 10th Ace Bird SAMDPR and GPU Gold and Silver Medal performers. A pedigree combining proven distance performance with successful breeding.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	stephen	R3,500	Current bid: R3,500
24th October 2026 6:34	ZZ..LOT 137 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Hendrik Huyser & Abreu-ZA-25-CRU DERBY-3728 -SIRE:10405 ZA 19 PRPC.Alias “COMBINE COCK” Strain: HENDRIK HUYSER Color: Blue Check BEST BIRD GAUTENG COMBINE OVERALL 2020 BEST BIRD PTA UNION 2020 BEST YEARLING PTA UNION 2020 BEST BIRD CRUSADERS CLUB 2020 WINNING PTA UNION WITH 22 MINUTES FROM COLESBERG. BRED OUT OF SANPO GOLD MEDAL BLOODLINES ON BOTH HIS FATHER AND MOTHERS SIDE.————-DAM:2670 ZA 21 PWDU.Alias “MISS MONEY” Strain: HENDRIK HUYSER Color: Blue Check SANPO SILVER MEDAL WINNER 2023 MIDDEL DISTANCE WON R69000 ON MONEY RACE CRUSADERS CLUB FULL SISTER BRED YEARLING NATIONAL WINNER FOR DUPREEZ & DEETLEFS WHEN MATED TO TURBO KITTEL FULL SISTER WON PRETORIA COMBINE.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	stephen	R2,000	Current bid: R2,000
24th October 2026 4:47	LOT 37 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Herbots Family/Pigeon Palace-ZA-25-TPA-7358 -SIRE:ZA 19 PRPC 4314 “SON NUMBER ONE”. THIS COCK WILL BE A GREAT BREEDER IN YEARS TO COME. HE SHOWED A LOT OF PROMISE RACING IN HIS FIRST YEAR AND WAS PUT TO STOCK. FROM THE BEST OF OUR LOFT.————DAM: ZA 21 ABL 368 “ABL KITTEL”. HALF SISTER TO MOTHER OF SANPO GOLD MEDAL WINNER 2021 ALLROUND “TURBO KITTEL”. INBRED TO FAMOUS KITTEL 1ST NATIONAL ACE KBDB 2013. THIS HEN IS DAM TO A SUPER RACER AND WINNER FOR GYS & FORMYN IN THE STRONG TRPF. SEE PEDIGREE!!!	henhel	R6,000	Current bid: R6,000
24th October 2026 4:42	ZZ..LOT 137 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Hendrik Huyser & Abreu-ZA-25-CRU DERBY-3728 -SIRE:10405 ZA 19 PRPC.Alias “COMBINE COCK” Strain: HENDRIK HUYSER Color: Blue Check BEST BIRD GAUTENG COMBINE OVERALL 2020 BEST BIRD PTA UNION 2020 BEST YEARLING PTA UNION 2020 BEST BIRD CRUSADERS CLUB 2020 WINNING PTA UNION WITH 22 MINUTES FROM COLESBERG. BRED OUT OF SANPO GOLD MEDAL BLOODLINES ON BOTH HIS FATHER AND MOTHERS SIDE.————-DAM:2670 ZA 21 PWDU.Alias “MISS MONEY” Strain: HENDRIK HUYSER Color: Blue Check SANPO SILVER MEDAL WINNER 2023 MIDDEL DISTANCE WON R69000 ON MONEY RACE CRUSADERS CLUB FULL SISTER BRED YEARLING NATIONAL WINNER FOR DUPREEZ & DEETLEFS WHEN MATED TO TURBO KITTEL FULL SISTER WON PRETORIA COMBINE.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	j_b	R1,500	Current bid: R2,000
24th October 2026 1:32	ZZ..LOT 168 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-OOA & Len Knoetze Lofts-ZA-25-GRPF-0437 -56TH FINAL RACE———–SIRE: ZA 20 VPU 956 — “NEW FOUNDATION LOCK” A proven Out of Africa Aces breeder, credited with producing winners and two first-place finishes with different hens. He is bred from ZA 12 GRPA 09936, “1st Ace Middle Distance Y/B,” and ZA 17 CYRILS 3970, “2 × M/D Aces,” combining established Tom Lock performance lines. His offspring include ZA DLS 6550/22, a double winner, and pigeons credited with 16th and 73rd positions in the 444 km SAPIR Summer final.————– DAM: ZA 19 VPU 2625 — “810 × CARELLY’S BEST” A blue bar breeding hen combining the renowned 810 and Golden Carelly lines. She is a direct daughter of BELG 07 4253810, the celebrated “810” superbreeder, paired to ZA 18 OOA 337, “Living Legends.” She is the dam of ZA DLS 6550/22, a double winner whose recorded results include 1st Club Willowmore, 468 km, and 2nd Club Laingsburg, 533 km. Her pedigree brings together an established family of winners and proven one-loft breeders.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	outafric	R2,000	Current bid: R2,000
24th October 2026 1:16	ZZ..LOT 110 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Velghe Pigeons-BE-25-3095147 -10TH RACE 4 EQUAL WINNER———-SIRE:ZA J&B-23-406 M.SON 401 DU PREEZ – DEETLEFS SISTER FLASH WON IN AFRIKAPRO: 15. RACE 6 , SISTER 499/23 WINS: 4.BLUE JACKET ACE ,13. FINAL RACE , 8. RACE 8.————-DAM:ZA CRU-23-227 V.DU PREEZ – DEETLEFS .HALFSISTER WORLD FAMOUS TURBO KITTEL 5X 1. PRIZE WINNER. 8 X SANPO MEDAL WINNER.DAM SOLD FOR R338 000.00 ON TOPPIGEON.SEE PEDIGREE!!!	outafric	R2,500	Current bid: R2,500
24th October 2026 0:40	ZZ..LOT 133 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-SG Ullrich & Die Painters-ZA-25-KPUD-1319 -“Green & Gold” is bred from two proven Afrikapro breeders. She flew 17th on Race 1 (1st Drop) as well as 73rd on Race 5. She is also the nest-mate of “Mimimost” who flew 15th Race 5 Afrikapro 2026. The sire, “Steffl’s Giant”, is a super well bred cock from SG Steffl in Germany – direct son of the world-famous “Giganten Paar”, handpicked and purchased on one of the Afrikapro Auctions in 2023. The dam,“Goldnest”, is nest-mate sister to the phenomenal “Dual Purpose” – sire to the Afrikapro Final Race Winner 2025 – and a superbreeder in her own right, producing 2 individual Union & Combine Winners amongst 9 other club winners. Children out of “Goldnest” have now flown in the Top 100 of Afrikapro 15 times – a testament to the quality of this bloodline.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	toppigeon	R9,000	Current bid: R9,500
24th October 2026 0:40	ZZ..LOT 133 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-SG Ullrich & Die Painters-ZA-25-KPUD-1319 -“Green & Gold” is bred from two proven Afrikapro breeders. She flew 17th on Race 1 (1st Drop) as well as 73rd on Race 5. She is also the nest-mate of “Mimimost” who flew 15th Race 5 Afrikapro 2026. The sire, “Steffl’s Giant”, is a super well bred cock from SG Steffl in Germany – direct son of the world-famous “Giganten Paar”, handpicked and purchased on one of the Afrikapro Auctions in 2023. The dam,“Goldnest”, is nest-mate sister to the phenomenal “Dual Purpose” – sire to the Afrikapro Final Race Winner 2025 – and a superbreeder in her own right, producing 2 individual Union & Combine Winners amongst 9 other club winners. Children out of “Goldnest” have now flown in the Top 100 of Afrikapro 15 times – a testament to the quality of this bloodline.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	wonderfull	R9,500	Current bid: R9,500
24th October 2026 0:39	LOT 12 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Die Painters & SG Ullrich-ZA-25-NDK-1279 -11TH RACE 4 EQUAL WINNER———GRAND PURPOSE is a full sister to “MICHELANGELO’S PURPOSE”, 1st place Final Afrikapro 2025, and to “WHAT PURPOSE” – all direct children of “DUAL PURPOSE” and “WHENNY”. Her sire, “DUAL PURPOSE” (581/18), is SANPO Silver & Bronze Medal Short Distance Winner 2019 and sire to 1st National Ace Pigeon Short Distance 2024 – one of the best pigeons the loft has ever had. Her dam, “WHENNY” (175/21), is a direct daughter of MIRACLE BREEDER “BLUE WHIP” out of “JENNY”, one of the best racers ever in the Western Cape. This is proven championship breeding – the same cross that produced Michelangelo’s Purpose and What Purpose – now racing at Afrikapro ’26.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	toppigeon	R32,000	Current bid: R32,000
23rd October 2026 23:07	LOT 46 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Kupka & Smilowski-PL-25-0400-3225 -10TH RACE 2 EQUAL WINNER———–SIRE: DV-6364-23-120 “SUPER FINN PAAR” A concentrated Tom van Gaver Finn-line cock, bred from “Finn’s Ricky” B-22-4198279 and “Uit Broer Finn” B-20-2079596. His pedigree combines “Big Ricky” and “Queen Finn” with “The Eye of Finn,” a full brother to “Finn.” “Super Finn Paar” is already sire to PL-0400-25-2806, credited with 6th against 5,362 pigeons over 269 km, 24th against 5,849 pigeons over 169 km and 48th against 3,864 pigeons over 337 km.———– DAM: DV-7744-24-296 “INTEELT FINN/PANAM” An inbred Finn–Panamera hen combining Tom van Gaver and PIPA Elite Center bloodlines. Her sire, B-22-4198003, is bred from “Panamera/Finn” B-21-4202012 and “Perfekt Sara” of Eric Limburger. Her dam, B-23-4164246, is bred from “Panamera/Finn” B-21-4153442 and “Do. Salvador.” Both “Panamera/Finn” cocks are direct sons of “Finn” B-15-4211540 paired to “Panamera” B-17-4062772, reinforcing this pairing on both sides of her pedigree.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	amo	R2,000	Current bid: R2,000
23rd October 2026 23:02	ZZ..LOT 133 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-SG Ullrich & Die Painters-ZA-25-KPUD-1319 -“Green & Gold” is bred from two proven Afrikapro breeders. She flew 17th on Race 1 (1st Drop) as well as 73rd on Race 5. She is also the nest-mate of “Mimimost” who flew 15th Race 5 Afrikapro 2026. The sire, “Steffl’s Giant”, is a super well bred cock from SG Steffl in Germany – direct son of the world-famous “Giganten Paar”, handpicked and purchased on one of the Afrikapro Auctions in 2023. The dam,“Goldnest”, is nest-mate sister to the phenomenal “Dual Purpose” – sire to the Afrikapro Final Race Winner 2025 – and a superbreeder in her own right, producing 2 individual Union & Combine Winners amongst 9 other club winners. Children out of “Goldnest” have now flown in the Top 100 of Afrikapro 15 times – a testament to the quality of this bloodline.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	elephant	R5,000	Current bid: R9,500
23rd October 2026 23:02	ZZ..LOT 133 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-SG Ullrich & Die Painters-ZA-25-KPUD-1319 -“Green & Gold” is bred from two proven Afrikapro breeders. She flew 17th on Race 1 (1st Drop) as well as 73rd on Race 5. She is also the nest-mate of “Mimimost” who flew 15th Race 5 Afrikapro 2026. The sire, “Steffl’s Giant”, is a super well bred cock from SG Steffl in Germany – direct son of the world-famous “Giganten Paar”, handpicked and purchased on one of the Afrikapro Auctions in 2023. The dam,“Goldnest”, is nest-mate sister to the phenomenal “Dual Purpose” – sire to the Afrikapro Final Race Winner 2025 – and a superbreeder in her own right, producing 2 individual Union & Combine Winners amongst 9 other club winners. Children out of “Goldnest” have now flown in the Top 100 of Afrikapro 15 times – a testament to the quality of this bloodline.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	wonderfull	R5,500	Current bid: R9,500
23rd October 2026 22:56	LOT 12 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Die Painters & SG Ullrich-ZA-25-NDK-1279 -11TH RACE 4 EQUAL WINNER———GRAND PURPOSE is a full sister to “MICHELANGELO’S PURPOSE”, 1st place Final Afrikapro 2025, and to “WHAT PURPOSE” – all direct children of “DUAL PURPOSE” and “WHENNY”. Her sire, “DUAL PURPOSE” (581/18), is SANPO Silver & Bronze Medal Short Distance Winner 2019 and sire to 1st National Ace Pigeon Short Distance 2024 – one of the best pigeons the loft has ever had. Her dam, “WHENNY” (175/21), is a direct daughter of MIRACLE BREEDER “BLUE WHIP” out of “JENNY”, one of the best racers ever in the Western Cape. This is proven championship breeding – the same cross that produced Michelangelo’s Purpose and What Purpose – now racing at Afrikapro ’26.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	wonderfull	R31,500	Current bid: R32,000
23rd October 2026 22:56	LOT 12 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Die Painters & SG Ullrich-ZA-25-NDK-1279 -11TH RACE 4 EQUAL WINNER———GRAND PURPOSE is a full sister to “MICHELANGELO’S PURPOSE”, 1st place Final Afrikapro 2025, and to “WHAT PURPOSE” – all direct children of “DUAL PURPOSE” and “WHENNY”. Her sire, “DUAL PURPOSE” (581/18), is SANPO Silver & Bronze Medal Short Distance Winner 2019 and sire to 1st National Ace Pigeon Short Distance 2024 – one of the best pigeons the loft has ever had. Her dam, “WHENNY” (175/21), is a direct daughter of MIRACLE BREEDER “BLUE WHIP” out of “JENNY”, one of the best racers ever in the Western Cape. This is proven championship breeding – the same cross that produced Michelangelo’s Purpose and What Purpose – now racing at Afrikapro ’26.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	pigeon123	R31,000	Current bid: R32,000
23rd October 2026 22:56	LOT 12 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Die Painters & SG Ullrich-ZA-25-NDK-1279 -11TH RACE 4 EQUAL WINNER———GRAND PURPOSE is a full sister to “MICHELANGELO’S PURPOSE”, 1st place Final Afrikapro 2025, and to “WHAT PURPOSE” – all direct children of “DUAL PURPOSE” and “WHENNY”. Her sire, “DUAL PURPOSE” (581/18), is SANPO Silver & Bronze Medal Short Distance Winner 2019 and sire to 1st National Ace Pigeon Short Distance 2024 – one of the best pigeons the loft has ever had. Her dam, “WHENNY” (175/21), is a direct daughter of MIRACLE BREEDER “BLUE WHIP” out of “JENNY”, one of the best racers ever in the Western Cape. This is proven championship breeding – the same cross that produced Michelangelo’s Purpose and What Purpose – now racing at Afrikapro ’26.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	wonderfull	R31,000	Current bid: R32,000
23rd October 2026 22:16	LOT 40 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-TNT Elite Centre-ZA-25-GPU-2610 -54TH FINAL RACE , 23RD BLUE JACKET , 32ND BROWN JACKET , 13TH RACE 8———–SIRE: 13500 ZA 19 GPU . THIS IS A DIRECT CHILD TO “JOKO”.————————DAM:BE 23 4190785 Alias “Blizzard Queen” Strain: Blizzard King Kittel Color: Grizzle.Full Sister to Blizzard Princess Dam To: Best Blizard King Kittel.SEE PEDIGREE!!!	olive-lofts	R17,000	Current bid: R17,000
23rd October 2026 22:04	ZZ..LOT 100 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-SG Ullrich & Die Painters-ZA-25-KPUD-1316 -“COLOUR SURPRISE” Hen Painter NG Ch Pied “COLOUR SURPRISE”is a direct son of “DRIES” (ZA KPU 25 3333) out of “SANPO AWARDS HEN” (DV07387 19 278) The sire, “DRIES”, is a direct son of the foundation cock “KONING KAAS” when mated to “NATALIE” a daughter of the most influential “17x WINNER”. “NATALIE” is also a Sanpo Medal Winner. The dam, “SANPO AWARDS HEN”, was bred by Dr Fernand Marien in Belgium out of two children of arguably two of the most famous breeders in Belgium – Rik Cools’ “KAPOEN” line and Vandenheede Bros’ “MATTHEO” line. She is a great breeder and mother to 5 winners when mated to two different cocks. This cross brings together championship South African Painter NG breeding with elite Belgian Kapoen/Mattheo genetics.SEE PEDIGREE!!!!	ywilliams	R1,500	Current bid: R1,500
23rd October 2026 21:52	.LOT 9 AFRIKAPRO AUCTION 1-Mountain Lofts & Murray & Mills A-ZA-25-MOUN-169 -37TH BLUE JACKET—-FULL BROTHER 9TH FIINAL AFRIKAPRO 2025——SIRE:ZA 18 MOUN 816 . Alias “THE ORIGINAL” Strain: FERDIE & PIETER LUBBE Color: BLUE BAR “THE ORIGINAL” ZA18 MOUN 816 SIRE TO: ZA20 MOUN 909 SANPO SILVER MEDAL LONG DISTANCE 2023 AND 4 X 1ST ACE OVER 3 YEARS SIRE TO :ZA21 VIL 1817 “FULL CREDIT” 5 X WINNER 2 X UNION WINNER SIRE TO: QATAR 812 13TH FINAL RACE AFRIKAPRO 2023.————DAM: ZA 19 MOUN 628 .Alias “MASTER POWER” Strain: FERDIE & PIETER LUBBE Color: BLUE CHECK ”MASTER POWER” 2 FULL SISTERS BOTH 4 X WINNERS 11TH ACE UNION YEARLINGS 2020 13TH ACE UNION SHORT DISTANCE 2020 2ND CLUB, 5TH UNION BLOEMFONTEIN 440KM 4TH CLUB, 25 UNION SMITHFIELD 530KM 7TH CLUB, 25 UNION REDDERSBURG 487KM.SEE PEDIGREE!!!	olive-lofts	R6,000	Current bid: R6,000