The Tissandier Collection, from which this image is taken, contains approximately 975 items documenting the early history of aeronautics with an emphasis on balloon flight in France and other European countries. Subjects include general and technical images of balloons, airships, and flying machines; portraits of famous balloonists; views of numerous ascensions, accidents, and world's fairs; cartoons featuring balloon themes; pictorial and textual broadsides; and colorful ephemera and poster advertisements. There are also several hundred illustrations clipped from books and newspapers. The pictures, created by many different artists, span the years 1773 to 1910, with the bulk dating 1780-1890.

The Tissandier brothers, Gaston and Albert, assembled the pictures from various sources. Gaston Tissandier (1843-1899) was a balloonist and science writer. Albert (1839-1906) was a balloonist and illustrator. The Library of Congress purchased their collection of books, manuscripts, and other items in 1930 from Maggs Brothers of London.

Medium : 1 print : lithograph, hand-colored

Created/Published : Between 1800 and 1830

Creator : No attribution

Part of the Tissandier Collection housed in the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress

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Product #: ppmsca02330