Hot Air Balloons

Print shows Vincente Lunardi ascending from the Royal Palace, Madrid, January 8, 1793 with royal coat-of-arms hanging from the gondola; Lunardi's second balloon ascension in Spain. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC st More

Vue d'optique shows the Montgolfier brothers' balloon, "The Globe," ascending from Champ de Mars, Paris, France, August 27, 1783. Caption (French): Experience de la machine aréostatique de Mrs. de Montgolfier d More

Bust-length double profile portrait of the Montgolfier brothers, French ballonists; after the gold medal designed by Houdon. Quotation from Ovid printed below portrait. Tissandier collection.

Illustration shows the ornate balloon used by Jean François Pilâtre de Rozier and Girond de Villete in a captive balloon ascent from Paris, October 19, 1783, reaching an altitude of 330 feet for nine minutes. ( More

Scottish cartoon shows a group of men conversing as balloons sail overhead. Possibly Scottish balloonist James Tytler and Italian balloonist Vincent Lunardi.

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 More

Admission ticket to one of Vincent Lunardi early balloon ascensions, probably from London, England. Includes a picture of a balloon. Tissandier collection.

Design drawing shows two men in basket steering balloon by manipulation of a sail. A ladder connects the balloon to a parachute-style apparatus intended for safe descent where a third man handles the connection More

Print shows Jacques Alexandre César Charles and Marie-Noël Robert riding in the gondola of a balloon ascending from the Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, December 1, 1783 in the first hydrogen balloon flight. ( More

Print shows a Montgolfier-style balloon in flight over Paris, France. Remarque shows a balloon in flight surrounded by clouds.

Drawing shows Professor J.A.C. Charles reascending in balloon from the Nesle plain, France, on December 1, 1783, where he had landed shortly before, accompanied by Marie Noel Robert in a two hour journey from P More

Engraving by N. de Launay, drawn by Chev. de Lorimier. Illus. in: Faujas, Descriptien de la Machine, 1783, vol. 2, frontis. Reference copy may be in LOT 4700A. This record contains unverified, old data from cap More

Vue d'optique shows the balloon launched by the Montgolfier brothers ascending from the Palace of Versailles, France, before the royal family, September 19, 1783. A sheep, a duck and a rooster were the only pa More

Print shows the balloon of Jacques Alexandre César Charles and Marie-Noël Robert ascending from the Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, December 1, 1783 in the first hydrogen balloon flight. "Sic itur ad astra" wr More

Jacques Alexandre César Charles departs Nesle, France after the landing of the first hydrogen balloon flight from Paris on December 1, 1783. Marie-Nöel Robert (on the ground at left), who accompanied Charles o More

Tissandier collection. Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Print shows the balloon of Jacques Alexandre César Charles and Marie-Noël Robert ascending from the Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, December 1, 1783 in the first hydrogen balloon flight; spectators in foregrou More

Print shows Anne-Jean and Marie-Noël Robert riding in the gondola of a balloon ascending from the Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, September 19, 1784, accompanied by Colin Hulin. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staf More

French cartoon ridicules the attempt of Abbé Miollan and Janinet to ascend in a hot air balloon by showing the balloon on fire and billowing smoke while being inflated on July 11, 1784 at the Luxembourg gardens More

Print shows the ascent of Vincent Lunardi from the Moorfields Artillery Grounds, London, September 15, 1784; Lunardi's first ascent and the first balloon ascent in England. He experimented with oars for navigat More

Design drawing shows front and side elevations and plan of balloon with devices designed to facilitate navigation and maneuverability while in the air. Tissandier collection.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

British cartoon shows how on a windy day a woman's hat is blown off and takes flight like the balloon shown floating in the distance. Tissandier collection.

Print shows elaborately decorated balloon used by Jean François Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d'Arlandes in ascent from Paris, October 19, 1783, reaching an altitude of 330 feet for nine minutes. (Source: A More

"Son tableau est fidel et vrai comme lui" printed below portrait. Tissandier collection.

Half-length portrait of the first English woman to ride in a balloon.

Print shows Vincenzo Lunardi riding in the gondola of a balloon ascending from Buon Retiro gardens, Madrid, August 12, 1792; the first balloon ascension in Spain. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Ti More

Illus. in: Journal of my forty-fifth ascension : being the first performed in America, on the ninth of January, 1793. Philadelphia : Printed by Charles Cist ..., 1793. Title page and frontispiece. Published in More

Dutch cartoon forecasts aeronautic events for the year 1804 by showing people in hysterics, possibly over an imminent balloon ascension by "Wille van de Heeren Hopman & Loude." From the ceiling hangs a balloon More

Dutch cartoon forecasts aeronautic events for the year 1804 by showing a scene at a failing balloon ascension, in the interests of scientific inquiry, possibly by "Wille van de Heeren Hopman & Loude." Men strug More

Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Tissandier collection. Public domain scan of lithograph illustration, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Print shows the balloon "L'Hirondelle V. Triquet" flying with two men on board. Tissandier collection.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Advertisement showing a balloon with several persons standing in the basket, one climbing the ropes just above the basket. Tricolor banners hanging from the balloon announce the "Société d'expériences aerostati More

Dutch political cartoon about the partitioning of the Netherlands shows the shorning and dismembering of the "Nederlandsche" cow. The "Neêrlands" lion, an enraged Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland (with sword dr More

Print shows celebrations for the anniversary of the founding of the French Republic, July 14, 1801 in two images, including a tent for dancing and a balloon ascension from which André Jacques Garnerin descends More

Print shows Satan holding a balance to which, on one end is attached a hot-air balloon with a bishop, possibly the Duke of York, and another man standing on top, its lightness has skewed the balance to end over More

Bust portrait of Professor Bourguet. Surrounding portrait are illustrations of items related to ballooning including barrels of gas, books and a compass, a balloon, and a parachute. Landauer Collection of Aer More

Print shows King Louis XVIII standing on a balcony and a crowd below watching a hot air balloon in the distance.

(Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Tissandier collection. Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Tissandier collection. Public domain image of an airship, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Tissandier collection. Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Print shows a balloon with mechanism attached to the bottom of the basket, possibly an elaborate fireworks display. Tissandier collection.

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated book page scan, drawings, free to use art, no copyright restrictions image.

Print shows the balloon of Francesco Orlandi ascending over the public gardens of Bologna, Italy, November 6, 1828. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Tissandier collection.

Design drawing shows proposal by Louis Panafieu in which the operator in an open car attached to the balloon achieves lift without loss of gas in ballast by manipulating cords on underside of the balloon. Inclu More

French political cartoon uses a scene from Jonathan Swift's Gulliver's Travels to compare the situation surrounding the 1830 July Revolution in France to the time when l'Assemblée (the French revolutionary gove More

Drawing shows a crowd gathered around a balloon on the ground at the festivities prepared by Ambassador W.R. Chateaubriant in honor of the Grand Duchess of Russia in Rome, 1830. A second balloon is in sky at up More

French comic strip shows a young boy, "Louis," who decides to apply himself at school after unfortunate experiences with the four elements. Louis learns about fire by getting burned while working for a baker; a More

The title page illustration at the left for Dickens' "Sketches by Boz," shows a crowd of people waving to two men leaving in a hot air balloon. The adjacent illustration, for p. 149, "Seven Dials," shows a cr More

Broadside announcing Charles Green's ascension in the balloon "Nassau" from Vauxhall Gardens, London. Includes a picture of passengers in a balloon basket. At head of title: Under the direct patronage of Her Ma More

French cartoon shows a long line of people, with more arriving by stagecoach and railroad, at a medicine show where a quack with a lion's head, the "Prodige de la chimie," is marketing his hair tonic "De pommad More

Head-and-shoulders portrait of solicitor, Edward Spencer, who accompanied balloonist Charles Green on several ascensions. A balloon with an attached parachute is in the background. Printed signature below title More

Text-only broadside announcing a balloon ascension at night by Richard Gypson from the Royal Standard Tavern, England, on June 3, 1839. In addition, "Mr. Blanchard, a descendant of the celebrated Mons. Blanchar More

French cartoon about the rush to try photography after Louis Jacques Mandé Daguerre revealed his process in 1839. Print shows long lines of people waiting to be photographed and others eager to support the craz More

Advertisement for a monthly subscription to theatrical productions, balls, concerts, the circus, and other entertainments, probably at venues in and around Paris. Text appears within an outline of a balloon asc More

Broadside announcing a balloon ascension by Richard Gypson from the Gas Works, Daventry, England, 1840. Includes a picture of a balloon in flight. Tissandier collection.

Austrian print satirizes the intended trans-Atlantic balloon voyage of Charles Green by showing his arrival among the Maori in the Antipodes Islands in the Pacific Ocean. From series: Satyrisches Bild, no. 47. More

Broadside announcing a navigable balloon design invented by M. d'Helle. Includes a picture of d'Helle's propeller-powered balloon. Tissandier collection.

Print shows two men standing in basket of balloon, "Le Pilote". Tissandier collection.

Text-only broadside announcing a festival at Vauxhall Gardens, London, England, 1841?. Includes a list of the events and scheduled performances, including the release of the balloon "Fat Boy." "A great personag More

Print shows the balloon of Francesco Arban ascending above a map of Rome and its environs, showing the route of his balloon voyage from Villa Borghese, Rome, to Acqua Martina near Riete, April 14, 1846. (Source More

Head-and-shoulders portrait of French balloonist, Francesco Arban, commemorating his twelfth flight. Includes items related to his work: a gas bag and netting, a telescope, barrels of gas, and a balloon ascendi More

Design drawing for system of harnessing several balloons in descending size to provide the lift to transport various weights of people and mail, proposed by Dr. Van Hecke of Brussels. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC More

Tissandier collection. Public domain scan of portrait print from Library of Congress, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

French cartoon about kings departing for the moon, possibly in reference to the end of monarchy in Europe. Print shows several balloons labeled "Service du roi" from Spain, Prussia, Denmark, Naples, etc., landi More

Broadside announcing an ascension and parachute jump from the Rotunda Gardens, Dublin, Ireland, by balloonist John Hampton. Includes a picture of his balloon "Erin-Go-Bragh." Tissandier collection.

Woodcut from Ill. London News, July 27, 1850. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card.

beiliegend ein Blatt mit Umrissen der Gebäude darauf die Zahlenlegende Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Print shows a woman in the basket of an inflated balloon on the ground at right ready for ascent and a crowd in the foreground gathered to celebrate a September fair in the Royal Gardens, Paris, France. Tissan More

Print shows the balloon, "Le Flesselles" ascending over Lyon, France, on January 19, 1784, carrying seven passengers including Joseph Montgolfier and Jean François Pilâtre de Rozier. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC More

Drawing shows the descent of a balloon with a parachutist below and balloonist in basket controlling descent. Tissandier collection.

Picryl description: Public domain illustrated book page scan, drawings, free to use art, no copyright restrictions image.

Print shows Vincenzo Lunardi ascending from the Royal Palace, Madrid, January 8, 1793 with royal coat-of-arms hanging from the gondola; Lunardi's second balloon ascension in Spain. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC st More

Print shows man standing in the basket of an ascending balloon which features an elaborate system of sails and a reversed parachute underneath the basket. "Page 178." Illustration from an unidentified book or p More

American political cartoon about the awarding of United States mail contracts. Print shows steamships (two shaped like rocking horses) and a balloon labeled "California mail balloon via Nicaragua," with discuss More

Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

French political cartoon shows a greedy Louis Napoleon trying to climb higher by hanging onto the ropes of a balloon, topped with a crown. The basket breaks free spilling bags of money, and a woman and a child More

Print shows Jacques Alexandre César Charles and Marie-Noël Robert riding in the gondola of a balloon ascending from the Tuileries Garden, Paris, France, December 1, 1783 in the first hydrogen balloon flight. (S More

Widmung: Dediée à Messieurs les Magistrats, de la Ville de Lille en Flandre

Illustration shows a man navigating a balloon with an attached oar and rudder while seated in the basket. "Page 164." Illus. from an unidentified book or periodical. Tissandier collection.

Text-only broadside announcing a balloon ascension at the Place de la Cathd́rale, Rouen, France. Tissandier collection.

Advertisement for a Paris jewelry store depicting a man sitting in a ring tied to a balloon labeled "Palais des diamants." Tissandier collection.

Tissandier collection. Public domain image of a balloon aerostat, early aeronautics, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Cartoon shows a hot air balloon labeled "Suffrage Universel" with wings floating above the Pyrenees and headed toward a sign labeled "Espagne". Illus. from: Actualités, no. 248. Tissandier collection.

Print shows the balloon "La Sirène" flying with one man on board. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC staff, 1981-82.) Tissandier collection.

Broadside announcing an inaugural festival for the Exhibition of All Nations, London, England, 1851. Includes a picture of the balloon "Erin-go-Bragh" to publicize an ascent by balloonist John Hampton during th More

Broadside depicts two airship designs conceived by Ernst (Ernest) Pétin, incorporating four spherical balloons propelled by manually operated helical screws attached to a large flat surface, the lower part prov More

Patent drawing submitted by Sourbieu & Pradel shows two views of an apparatus for steering or controlling the direction of balloons by hand-cranking a series of four rotating sails. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, LC s More

Print shows Taillepied de La Garenne's proposed system of aerial navigation consisting of a balloon with a double parachute on a single axis capable of transporting six persons; parachutes open on an axis exten More

Print shows Taillepied de La Garenne's proposed system of aerial navigation consisting of a balloon with a double parachute on a single axis capable of transporting six persons; parachutes in open position exte More

Patent design drawing for a system to regulate the altitude of a balloon while preserving gas and ballast. Features a cross section, scaled detail drawings of component parts and an identification key. Tissand More

Patent design drawing for a safe system to regulate the altitude of a balloon while preserving gas and ballast. Includes 9 detail views, cross section, elevation, and identification key. Tissandier collection.

Admission ticket to an exhibition of a copper balloon in Paris in the late 1850s. Text continues: "Cette machine aérostatique, de forme sphérique, de 10 mètres de diamètre, complètement en cuivre, offre l'impo More

Print shows activities along the Schuylkill River with the Fairmount Water Works in the background on the left and a distant view, on the right, of a suspension bridge spanning the Schuylkill River in Philadelp More

Text-only broadside announcing the public viewing of a copper balloon, at Impasse du Maine, Paris.

Design drawings for a system of airship navigation proposed by Aug. Lanteigne, utilizing a series of 16 balloons on a single keel. (Source: A.G. Renstrom, Library staff, 1981-82). Tissandier collection.

Broadside announcing the exhibit at the Palais de l'industrie, séances expérimentales in Paris of a fish-shaped, steam-powered airship designed by Camille Vert. Features design drawing of the airship, equipped More