Representation of the Balloon, Immediately Preceding its Ascension from the Village of Seal, Near Sevenoaks, in Kent, the 23rd of August 1825 at 6 p.m.

May 1826

Not on view

By the 1820s balloonists had reduced the dangers associated with launching and landing their crafts, but continued to work to refine the logistics of controlling them while aloft. This detailed lithograph commemorates a flight made by P. Cornillot in 1825 that demonstrated how a system of weights could be used to maintain a stable elevation during flight. Also shown is the piping system developed to fill balloons with coal gas, while keeping the source of heat source at a safe distance from the flammable air bag.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Title: Representation of the Balloon, Immediately Preceding its Ascension from the Village of Seal, Near Sevenoaks, in Kent, the 23rd of August 1825 at 6 p.m.
Artist: William Gauci (British, active 1826–54)
Date: May 1826
Medium: Color lithograph with hand coloring
Classification: Prints
Credit Line: Gift of Paul Bird Jr., 1962
Object Number: 62.696.39
Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints

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