Lot 1114

Description

Lunardi’s Balloon Ascent, 1784, first aerial ascent at Moorfields, London, bronze 35mm, bust of Vincent Lunardi facing left, “VINCENT LUNARDI FIRST AERIAL TRAVELLER IN ENGLAND”, rev. balloon above the clouds, Rare Extremely fine.

(BHM 260, Eimer 811). Lunardi took off from the Artillery Company grounds in front of a huge crowd in his hydrogen filled balloon accompanied by a dog, a cat and a pigeon.