Canvas Print: Air-Balloons, circa 1784

Title: Air-Balloons, circa 1784 Description: Book illustration shows five early balloon ascensions in France: two Montgolfier balloons (Fauxbourg St. Antoine and St. Germain); a 1784 balloon of Jean-Pierre Blanchard; and a Charles and Robert balloon being inflated at Champs-de-Mar and ascending at Versailles on September 19, 1783. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82). Creator: Bell, Andrew, 1726-1809, engraver Subjects: Balloon ascensions--France--Versailles--1780-1790, Balloons (Aircraft)--French--1780-1790, Blanchard, Jean-Pierre,--1753-1809--Associated objects, Charles, Jacques Alexandre Cesar,--1746-1823--Associated objects, Montgolfier, Jacques-Etienne,--1745-1799--Associated objects, Montgolfier, Joseph-Michel,--1740-1810--Associated objects, Robert, M. N.--Associated objects Collection: Tissandier Collection. The collection contains items documenting the early history of aeronautics with an emphasis on balloon flight in France and other European countries. Subjects include general and technical images of balloons, airships, and flying machines; portraits of famous balloonists; views of numerous ascensions, accidents, and world’s fairs; cartoons featuring balloon themes; pictorial and textual broadsides; and colorful ephemera and poster advertisements. There are also several hundred illustrations clipped from books and newspapers. The pictures, created by many different artists, span the years 1773 to 1910, with the bulk dating 1780-1890.