Usage Conditions May Apply

There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

To view items in this collection, use the Online Finding Aid

 Summary

On March 27 and 28, 1910, sisters Elsbeth and Margarete Grosse of Meisen, Germany made an ascent in the "Graf Zeppelin" balloon that was piloted by Karl Hackstetter. This collection consists of a logbook and three letters written by the Grosse sisters to Hackstetter.

 Biographical / Historical

On March 27 and 28, 1910, sisters Elsbeth and Margarete Grosse of Meisen, Germany made an ascent in the "Graf Zeppelin" balloon. The balloon was piloted by Karl Hackstetter (1876-1932), a balloonist, aeronaut, and designer of airships and airplanes. Margarete Grosse later wrote a book, Frauen auf Ballon- und Bergfahrten (Women in Balloons and Mountain Climbing), dedicated to her sister and published in 1951.

 Identifier

NASM.XXXX.1171

Date

1910

Provenance

Unknown, Gift, Unknown, NASM.XXXX.1171

Extent

0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of a logbook entitled "Dresdener Wallfahrt 1910 - Wallfahrt des sächsischen ballon 'Graf Zeppelin', 27 u. 28 März 1910" ("Dresden Pilgrimage 1910 - Pilgrimage of the Saxon balloon 'Graf Zeppelin', March 27-28 1910"). The log contains entries (written in German Sütterlin script) written from 5:57 AM, March 27 to 3:23 AM, March 28. It is not known if the log was kept by Hackstetter or by either of the Grosse sisters. Also included in the collection are three letters written by the Grosse sisters to Hackstetter, dated April 4, 19 and 20, 1910, with an account of their balloon ascent.

Arrangement note

Collection is arranged by type of material, with the letters in chronological order.

Rights

Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Elsbeth and Margarete Grosse Balloon Ascension Collection, NASM.XXXX.1171, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Balloons

Aeronautics

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Logbooks