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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/28/1
Former ReferenceD5459/1/104
TitleMontgolfiers first Balloon launch'd at Versailles before the King and Queen of France
Date[1783-1786]
DescriptionA green balloon decorated with pink swags and bows below which is suspended a cage containing a sheep and a cock. Available on CD 157.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationThe drawing shows the one of the first flights by the Mongolfier brothers (Joseph, 1740 - 1810 and Etienne 1745 - 1799)
The first ascent was on 5th June 1783 at Annonay, but the ascent depicted is that of September 19 1783, which took off from the First Court at Versailles. The drawing shows the sheep and cock which made the flight, but not the duck, which also took part. The balloon was actually blue and gold, and Woodward most likely drew from imagination as well as reports.

On the verso is a pencil sketch of a winged rider on a horse. The rider, a bearded man, is wearing a plumed helmet and holding a spear, is riding from left to right.
Physical DescriptionColoured drawing. Size 252 x 193 mm. Portrait.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Publication NoteRolt, 1966.
Image

Montgolfiers first Balloon launch'd at Versailles before the King and Queen of France

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