Dédieé, à Madame De Flesselle, Intendante de Lyon. I. Premiere Expérience, de la Machine Aerostatique, nommée Le Flesselle, construite à Lyon, sous la direction de Mr. Joseph Montgolfier; dessinée dans ses proportions à 1/2 ligne par pied. II. Départ de la Machine Aérostatique, le 19 Janvier 1784 montée par l'Auteur, et par Mrs. le Prince Charles de Ligne, le Cte. de Laurencin, le Cte. Dampiere, le Cte. d'Anglefort, Pilastre de Rosier, et Fontaine.

ART-Prints, Original

Print, Steel Engraving on Paper, Uncolored

Two uncolored steel engravings on the same page. Both depict 'Le Flesselle,' the largest Montgolfier balloon ever made. Scene on the left side of page depicts the inflation of the balloon. Scene on the right side of the page depicts the takeoff of the balloon on its flight from Lyon, France on January 19, 1784.
Jacques de Flesselles (1721-1789) served as Intendant of Lyon for twenty years (1764-1784). Fascinated by technology, he was involved in tests of an experimental steam boat and sponsored the flight of Le Flesselle. He was shot and killed at the Hotel de Ville on July 14, 1789 while attempting to justify his years of service to the crown.
'Se vend a Lyon cheź Castaud Place de la Comédie. Ecrit par Meunier.'

Mat: 45.7 × 55.9cm (18 × 22 in.)
Unmatted: 37.5 × 51.4cm (14 3/4 × 20 1/4 in.)

A20140643000

Gift of the Norfolk Charitable Trust

National Air and Space Museum

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