Balloonist Collection

The Schneider Trophy, presented by French industrialist Jacques Schneider, himself a record- breaking balloonist; his aim, to encourage aviation. The cup is worth 67000 euros

Alexander Friedman, Soviet cosmologist
Alexander Alexandrovich Friedman (1888-1925), Russian and Soviet cosmologist and mathematician. Friedman, who lived and worked in Leningrad, is considered the founder of modern cosmology

Illustration from the childrens book The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, 1902. Artist: W Heath Robinson
Illustration from the childrens book The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, 1902. From a private collection

Robertsons Minerve balloon, 1804
Robertsons Minerve balloon. Historical artwork of La Minerve, an extravagant balloon design proposed in 1804 by the French engineer E. G. Robertson

US Civil War observation balloon, 19th century artwork. The balloon, near Gaines Mill, Virginia, USA, is being inflated by gas being piped through tubes from the containers at left

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

F H Butler (Vanity Fair)
FRANK HEDGES BUTLER, noted balloonist, looks down from the hot air balloon basket he is riding in and prepares to speak through his megaphone

G-F Tournachon Ka Nadar
NADAR, proper name Gaspar-Felix Tournachon French photographer, balloonist &c

An engraving depicting Ernest Petin's flying machine. Ernest Petin (1812-1879) a French milliner and balloonist
5311386 An engraving depicting Ernest Petin's flying machine. Ernest Petin (1812-1879) a French milliner and balloonist, 19th century; (add.info.: Date: 1895); Universal History Archive/UIG.

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.

Charles Green's balloon
3586001 Charles Green's balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Charles Green's balloon. Charles Green (1785-1870) a British balloonist

A hot-air balloon which has been fitted with a parachute
3586000 A hot-air balloon which has been fitted with a parachute; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a hot-air balloon which has been fitted with a parachute)

Charles Green's balloon
3585997 Charles Green's balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Charles Green's balloon. Charles Green (1785-1870) a British balloonist

Charles Green's balloon
3585995 Charles Green's balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Charles Green's balloon. Charles Green (1785-1870) a British balloonist

A copper hot-air balloon on display in Paris
3585993 A copper hot-air balloon on display in Paris; (add.info.: Illustration depicting a copper hot-air balloon on display in Paris. 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 ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon
3732667 The ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the ascent of the Montgolfier Balloon from the Cremorne Gardens, London)

The accidental crashing of Mrs Graham's balloon near Piccadilly
3732776 The accidental crashing of Mrs Graham's balloon near Piccadilly; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the accidental crashing of Mrs Graham's balloon near Piccadilly)

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

The 'Nassau' balloon about to ascend from Vauxhall Gardens
3732718 The 'Nassau' balloon about to ascend from Vauxhall Gardens; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the 'Nassau' balloon about to ascend from Vauxhall Gardens, London)

Laurent de Guzman's balloon
3732686 Laurent de Guzman's balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Laurent de Guzman's balloon. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Ernest Petin's flying machine
3732661 Ernest Petin's flying machine; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Ernest Petin's flying machine. Ernest Petin (1812-1879) a French milliner and balloonist

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)

Samson's design for a navigable balloon
3732740 Samson's design for a navigable balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Samson's design for a navigable balloon. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Doctor John Potain, 19th century (engraving)
3733605 Doctor John Potain, 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Portrait of Doctor John Potain, an 18th century Irish balloonist. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Doctor John Potain, 19th century (engraving)
3733604 Doctor John Potain, 19th century (engraving); (add.info.: Portrait of Doctor John Potain, an 18th century Irish balloonist. Dated 19th century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

The 'Nassau' balloon being used to hold up Westminster Bridge
3732713 The 'Nassau' balloon being used to hold up Westminster Bridge; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting the 'Nassau' balloon being used to hold up Westminster Bridge, London)

Dunont de Chambot piercing Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon
3732709 Dunont de Chambot piercing Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Dunont de Chambot piercing Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon)

Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau's ascent from Dijon
3732692 Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau's ascent from Dijon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Louis-Bernard Guyton de Morveau's ascent from Dijon)

Fashion pieces which mimics balloons
3732680 Fashion pieces which mimics balloons; (add.info.: Illustration depicting fashion pieces of a wealthy couple which mimics balloons. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon
3732675 Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon. Dated 18th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

Alphonse Louis Poitevin
3732666 Alphonse Louis Poitevin; (add.info.: Cartoon depicting Alphonse Louis Poitevin (1819-1882) a French chemist, photographer and civil engineer

A hot-air balloon fitted with a parachute
3732624 A hot-air balloon fitted with a parachute; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a hot-air balloon fitted with a parachute. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

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)

Crowds gathered to watch the landing of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon
3732567 Crowds gathered to watch the landing of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon; (add.info.: Crowds gathered, in the Champs de Mars)

Ernest Petin's flying machine
3732867 Ernest Petin's flying machine; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Ernest Petin's flying machine: Petin, a Paris milliner r 'designed this machine in 1850)

A balloonist leaping to his death in order to save his love
3732774 A balloonist leaping to his death in order to save his love; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a balloonist leaping to his death in order to save his love)

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

Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon
3732754 Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon; (add.info.: Engraving depicting Jean-Pierre Blanchard's balloon. Dated 18th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG.

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.

Crowds gathered to watch the release of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon
3732568 Crowds gathered to watch the release of the first successful hydrogen filled balloon; (add.info.: Crowds gathered, in the Champs de Mars)

James Sadler making a balloon ascent from fields near Merton College, Oxford
3732560 James Sadler making a balloon ascent from fields near Merton College, Oxford; (add.info.: Engraving depicting James Sadler making a balloon ascent from fields near Merton College, Oxford)

Charles Green's balloon
3585992 Charles Green's balloon; (add.info.: Illustration depicting Charles Green's balloon. Charles Green (1785-1870) a British balloonist

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

Engraving depicting a man having difficulties during a balloon flight, 19th century
5308858 Engraving depicting a man having difficulties during a balloon flight, 19th century; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a man having difficulties during a balloon flight)

A young boy, "Louis," who decides to apply himself at school after unfortunate experiences with the four
2623685 A young boy, "Louis," who decides to apply himself at school after unfortunate experiences with the four element; (add.info.: French comic strip shows a young boy)

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"The Balloonist: A Journey through Time and Space" Step into the fascinating world of balloonists, where adventure knows no bounds. From the early days of aerostation to modern-day explorations, these fearless individuals have captured our imagination throughout history. The Schneider Trophy, a prestigious air race in the 1920s and 1930s, showcased the incredible skills of balloonists as they pushed the limits of speed and innovation. Their daring feats inspired awe and admiration. Alexander Friedman, a Soviet cosmologist, saw balloons as more than just vessels for flight. He envisioned them as tools for scientific exploration, allowing us to reach new heights and uncover secrets hidden in the skies above. In "The Adventures of Uncle Lubin, " an enchanting children's book from 1902 illustrated by W Heath Robinson, we are transported to a whimsical world where balloonists embark on magical journeys filled with wonder and excitement. Dating back even further is Robertson's Minerve balloon from 1804—a testament to humanity's enduring fascination with flight. This pioneering creation paved the way for future advancements in aviation technology. During the US Civil War, observation balloons played a crucial role in gathering intelligence on enemy movements. These floating platforms provided valuable insights that shaped military strategies during this tumultuous time. Before taking off on their daring expeditions, balloonists would consult with experts at Royal Vauxhall—an iconic pre-flight ritual that ensured safety precautions were meticulously followed before embarking on their airborne adventures. F. H Butler was one such intrepid individual who graced Vanity Fair magazine's pages—an esteemed recognition for his contributions to ballooning history. His passion for flight propelled him skyward amidst an era defined by courage and audacity. Gaspard-Felix Tournachon—known as Nadar—was not only a renowned French photographer but also an avid supporter of ballooning endeavors. Through his lens, he captured breathtaking images that immortalized the spirit of these airborne pioneers.