Engraving Of A Hot Air Balloon - Montgolfière - 18th Century

AEROSTIC MACHINE 70 FEET HIGH BY 46 FEET DIAMETER WHICH WAS RISING IN PARIS, WITH TWO MEN TO THE HEIGHT OF 394 FEET ON OCTOBER 19, 1783 IN THE PRESENCE OF Mgr THE DAUPHIN, BY THE MARQUIS D'ARLANDES AND THE PILATRE DE ROZIER. The balloon floats above a terrestrial platform, with characters appearing on the ground in gestures of amusement or wonder. The balloon is very richly decorated with gold, fleurs-de-lis and the interlaced royal monogram, faithful to the descriptions of the balloon ordered from the Manufacture Réveillon. Original print, engraved with a burin on steel, printed on watermarked laid paper. Polychrome highlights, hand-watercolored at the time. Dimensions: Width 23.5 cm – Height 17.5 cm. 29.3 cm - Width of the rod 2.5 cm,Condition(s): PERFECT CONDITION - Small trace of a tiny crease in the paper on the right,Era: 18th - LOUIS XVI,Framing: CURRENT - Composed of a gold bevel - Anise green wild silk mat - Gilded and patinated wooden rod.BALLOON or HOT AIR BALLOON engravings dating from the 18th century are very RARE.