Hot air balloon Tour de Calais in 1785

41 x 30 cm (16 x 11.8 inches)

L'Aero Montgolfiere denomee 'Tour de Calais', 1785

Ballooning prints of 18th century and Regency period balloons are renowned amongst collectors, as the balloons were so beautfiul and even fanciful. The vertical and horizontal lines of the buildings and trees in the prints combine satisfyingly with the plump curves of the balloons, and evoke a feeling of lightness and escape.
The brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier sent up the first manned hot air balloon in September 1783. In December of the same year Professor Charles made the first free voyage in a hydrogen balloon. Hot air balloons became know as Montgolfieres and hydrogen balloons as Charlieres. This lithograph was made in the 1950s by litho-offset on very high quality, thick paper. The paper is creamy white. It is in excellent condition.

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