(Ballooning and Parachute Engraving)

Original engraving depicts the Bastille Day celebration and dancing tent. The French national holiday is celebrated each year on 14th July, commemorating the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

The second view depicts Andre-Jacques Garnerin (1769 – 1823), the inventor of the frameless parachute, and hot air balloonist. Garnerin’s first jump was with a silk parachute in October 1797 at Parc Monceau Paris. His parachute resembled a closed umbrella with a pole running down its center and a rope running through a tube in the pole, which connected to the balloon. Garnerin rode in a basket attached to the bottom of the parachute. Reaching a height of approx 3,000 feet, he severed the rope that connected the parachute to the balloon. The balloon continued skyward while Garnerin with his basket and parachute descended. His wife (as fearless as he) joined him in his airborn efforts. The couple toured England in 1802 where Garnerin ascended in his balloon from Grosvenor Square making a parachute descent near St. Pancras. A popular rhyme was written about his escapades:

"Bold Garnerin went up
Which increased his Repute
And came safe to earth
   In his Grand Parachute."
                                                                                                                                
His second English balloon ascent was equally popular. He left Lord’s Cricket grounds and traveled 17 miles to Chingford in under 15 minutes. War between England and France caused the Garnerin’s to return to the continent where on October 1803 he covered a distance of 245 miles between Paris and Clausen in a balloon. Garnerin died in a construction accident while making a balloon in Paris. He was hit by a beam.

 Uncolored copperplate engraving.
Approx. 8 x 9 5/8 inches sheet, 13 ¾ x 15 ¾ inches framed size.
Archivally framed in gold leaf moulding with gold filet.
Folds as issued. Excellent condition.