Aeronaut Collection

Ascent of Mr Sadler, Nottingham
The Ascent of Mr Sadler the celebrated British Aeronaut at Nottingham. 1 November 1813

Sophie Blanchard in balloon ascent, Milan
Sophie Blanchard (1778-1819), famous French aeronaut, in a night-time balloon ascent performed in Milan, Italy, in the presence of Napoleon, to mark his 42nd birthday. 15 August 1811

The Santos Dumont Air-ship rounding the Eiffel Tower, on October 19th 1901, (c1910). Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos-Dumont (1873-1932) in his airship (dirigible)

Royal Vauxhall pre-flight consultation. Historical artwork depicting a meeting held prior to the flight of the Royal Vauxhall in 1836

Vicenzo Lunardi, 1754-1806. Italian pioneering aeronaut and inventor (engraving)
6118004 Vicenzo Lunardi, 1754-1806. Italian pioneering aeronaut and inventor (engraving); Photo © Ken Welsh. All rights reserved 2024.

Nadar, French photographer and aeronaut (b/w photo)
8672160 Nadar, French photographer and aeronaut (b/w photo) by Nadar, (Gaspard Felix Tournachon) (1820-1910) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nadar (Gaspard-Felix Tournachon ) (1820-1910)

Theodore Sivel
3586165 Theodore Sivel; (add.info.: Portrait of Theodore Sivel (1834-1875) a French balloonist who died in a ballooning accident. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

James Glaisher's balloon over Westminster
3732670 James Glaisher's balloon over Westminster; (add.info.: Engraving depicting James Glaisher's balloon over Westminster)

The ballooning accident of General John Money
3732775 The ballooning accident of General John Money; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the ballooning accident of General John Money (1752-1817) a British aeronaut and general in the British Army

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732562 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

Henry Tracey Coxwell's design for balloons to be used for Artic exploration
3732734 Henry Tracey Coxwell's design for balloons to be used for Artic exploration; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's design for balloons to be used for Arctic)

Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent
3732755 Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent)

Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design
3732620 Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design)

Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent
3732623 Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent)

Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design
3732621 Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design)

Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident
3732770 Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident)

The filling of a balloon
3732739 The filling of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Vincenzo Lunardi
5312098 Vincenzo Lunardi; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi in the gondola of his first balloon. Vincenzo Lunardi (-1806) an Italian aeronaut and diplomat

The British army using Henry Coxwell's captive balloon
5616524 The British army using Henry Coxwell's captive balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting the British army using Henry Coxwell's captive balloon)

Joseph Eustace Croce-Spinelli, 1875
1574479 Joseph Eustace Croce-Spinelli, 1875; (add.info.: Joseph Eustace Croce-Spinelli (1845-1875), killed in a ballooning accident, 15 April 1875.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The Aerial Steam Carriage or Ariel, 19th century
3847185 The Aerial Steam Carriage or Ariel, 19th century; (add.info.: The Ariel flying machine was patented in 1842 by William Samuel Henson (1812-88) and John Stringfellow (1799-1883)

Engraving depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's captive balloon, fitted with a semaphore system
5308905 Engraving depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's captive balloon, fitted with a semaphore system, being used by the British Army; (add.info)

Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident
3732771 Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Sophie Blanchard's fatal ballooning accident)

Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design
3732698 Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design)

The filling of a balloon
3732696 The filling of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent
3732622 Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent)

Eugene Godard's balloon
3586005 Eugene Godard's balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Eugene Godard's balloon 'Aigile'. Dated Eugene Godard (1827-1890) French aeronaut

Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1806) Italian aeronaut. Made the first hydrogen balloon ascent in Britain, Moorfields, London
530535 Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1806) Italian aeronaut. Made the first hydrogen balloon ascent in Britain, Moorfields, London, 15 September 1784

Engraving depicting Francesco Lana de Terzi's flying boat concept
5309136 Engraving depicting Francesco Lana de Terzi's flying boat concept; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Francesco Lana de Terzi's flying boat concept)

An engraving depicting John Money coming into grief with his balloon. John Money (1752-1817)
5311279 An engraving depicting John Money coming into grief with his balloon. John Money (1752-1817) an aeronaut and general in the British Army

Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration
3586006 Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for)

Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration
3585994 Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for Arctic exploration; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Henry Tracey Coxwell's plan for a triple balloon to be used for)

The ascent of Eugene Godard's balloon 'Eagle'
3732668 The ascent of Eugene Godard's balloon 'Eagle'; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the ascent of Eugene Godard's balloon 'Eagle' from the Cremorne Gardens, London)

The ballooning accident of General John Money
3732773 The ballooning accident of General John Money; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the ballooning accident of General John Money (1752-1817) a British aeronaut and general in the British Army

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732563 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

The filling of a balloon
3732710 The filling of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design
3732699 Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin's parachute design)

A balloon ascending from Barbizon
3732669 A balloon ascending from Barbizon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a balloon ascending from Barbizon, a commune in France. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent
3732617 Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent)

The filling of a balloon
3732784 The filling of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Vincenzo Lunardi, George Biggin, and Mrs Sage in a balloon
3732561 Vincenzo Lunardi, George Biggin, and Mrs Sage in a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, his assistant George Biggin

A French aeronaut falling to his death from a balloon over Beuzeville, France, 1899 (print)
545209 A French aeronaut falling to his death from a balloon over Beuzeville, France, 1899 (print); (add.info.: From 'Le Petit Journal' 30 June 1899)

Vincenzo Lunardi making his first attempt at a balloon ascent
5308098 Vincenzo Lunardi making his first attempt at a balloon ascent.; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi making his first attempt at a balloon ascent)

The filling of a balloon
3732712 The filling of a balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the filling of a balloon in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732565 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England
3732564 Vincenzo making his first balloon ascent in England; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Vincenzo Lunardi (1759-1839), an Italian aeronaut, making his first balloon ascent in England

Accordion, Aeronaut, Alligator, Aquarium, Armadillo, Barometer, Bastinado, Battering-ram, Cassowary, Caterpillar
8650110 Accordion, Aeronaut, Alligator, Aquarium, Armadillo, Barometer, Bastinado, Battering-ram, Cassowary, Caterpillar, Cemetery, Chameleon (engraving) by German School

Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent
3732757 Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Andre-Jacques Garnerin making his first parachute descent)

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"Aeronauts: Pioneers of the Skies" Embark on a journey through history as we explore the fascinating world of aeronauts and their daring feats. From the iconic ascent of Mr Sadler in Nottingham, to Sophie Blanchard's breathtaking balloon flight in Milan, these brave individuals pushed the boundaries of human exploration. In 1901, witness the awe-inspiring sight of The Santos Dumont Air-ship gracefully rounding the Eiffel Tower, capturing hearts and imaginations alike. Meanwhile, at Royal Vauxhall, pre-flight consultations take place as nerves mix with excitement before taking to the skies. Vicente Lunardi takes center stage with his balloon test flights and ascents that left spectators spellbound. His courage knew no bounds as he soared high above, defying gravity itself. Joining him is Andre Jacques Garnerin - a true trailblazer who not only became France's first parachutist but also revolutionized aerial adventures around 1800. Joseph Mangot's name echoes through time as another remarkable figure in aviation history. His contributions paved the way for future generations to soar higher than ever before. And let us not forget Alberto Santos-Dumont, whose Brazilian spirit propelled him to become an esteemed aeronaut known worldwide. From Europe to South America and beyond, these captivating images transport us back in time. Gaze upon "Vista del globo areostatico qe se hecho ante Ss" or marvel at The Nassau balloon passing over Liege under cover of night in 1836. Finally, we find ourselves immersed in Thomas Rowlandson's artwork titled "Aerostation out at Elbows or The Itinerant Aeronaut. " This whimsical piece captures both the challenges and joys faced by those who dared to dream big amidst societal expectations during its creation in 1786. Join us on this mesmerizing journey into humanity's quest for the skies.