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This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date October 18, 1784 Type ART-Prints, Original Medium Print, Etching on Paper, Uncolored Physical Description Uncolored etching of Blanchard and John Sheldon ascending in the Grand Aerostatic Balloon from the Royal Military Academy. Scene shows the balloon ascending above buildings with figures on the roofs of the buildings cheering for the balloonists. Musical instruments, books, and a few other objects have been dropped from the balloon. Two other balloons are aloft in the distant background. Text below the scene describes the event. John Sheldon (1752–1808), a surgeon and an acquaintance of John Jeffries, made an unsuccessful attempt to fly in a home-made Montgolfier on August 15, 1784. During a second attempt on August 16 the balloon caught fire. He made a third unsuccessful attempt on September 15 from Foley House, Portland Place, with his companion Keegan. He made his first flight with J.P. Blanchard on October 16, 1784. When the balloon would not rise, the pair threw scientific instruments and other items overboard to lighten the craft, as shown in this illustration. 'London, Pubd. by R. Wilinson N. 68 Cornhill 18 Oct. 1784.' Dimensions Mat: 40.6 × 33cm (16 × 13 in.)
Unmatted: 34.3 × 24.3cm (13 1/2 × 9 9/16 in.)
 Inventory Number A20140513000 Credit Line Gift of the Norfolk Charitable Trust Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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