[Ballooning] Green, Charles. (1785 - 1870)
Three Ballooning Flyers, 1838 - 1845
A intriguing group of three ballooning flyers advertising the United Kingdom's most famous balloonist of the 19th century. Experimenting with coal gas as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to hydrogen for lifting power, Green's first ascent was in a coal gas balloon on 19 July 1821 and he had made 200 ascents by 1835. In 1836, he set a major long distance record in the balloon Royal Vauxhall, flying overnight from Vauxhall Gardens in London to Weilburg, Duchy of Nassau (Germany), a distance of 480 miles (770 km). By the time he retired in 1852, he had flown in a balloon more than 500 times. The present broadsides are all very rare, with only a few recorded similar examples in WorldCat. As follows:Royal Gardens, Vauxhall. Grand day and evening fete, next Monday, August 13, 1838. Ascent of the Nassau Balloon, combined with the evening entertainments. [London]: Balne, printer. Broadside announcing Charles Green's ascension in the balloon "Nassau" from Vauxhall Gardens, London. Includes a blue and red colored wood-engraved illustration of passengers in a balloon basket, and advertises "Places in the Car for Ten Persons." 5.25 x 6.35 inches (13.5 x 16 cm). Lightly toned, corners nicked, else fine.
Cremorne Gardens, Kings road, Chelsea. Admission One Shilling - Children Half-price. BALLOONS! BALLOONS! Monday, August 25th, 1845...Mr. Green will ascend in the Great Nassau Balloon...Taking up with him a large party of Ladies and Gentleman. On Wednesday, August 27th, Mr. Green will make another NIGHT ASCENT At 10 o'Clock amidst the effervescence of Fireworks discharging a galaxy of irritated Pyrotechnics from the Car..."[London]: S.G. Fairbrother. Broadside announcing Charles Green's ascension in the balloon "Nassau" from Cremorne Gardens, London. Includes two wood-engraved illustrations, one of passengers in a balloon basket, the other of ascent in darkness, illuminated by fireworks. 4.75 x 10 inches (12 x 15 cm). Lightly toned, a few small tears along the left blank edge, else fine.
Cremorne Gardens, Kings road, Chelsea. Last Night Ascent of the Season! FETE! FUN! AND FIREWORKS! Mr. Green will make a NIGHT ASCENT At Half-past Eight o'clock in the Grand Coronation Balloon! On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1845...In the centre of Purple Light, and the brazen blushes of Scarlet Fire! There will be the vomiting of gigantic squibs! the epileptic Struggles of the Cat and Wheels! Rackets in convulsions! and hysterical Roman Candles! Fury and Fire! Burning and Brilliancy! Bladders of Blaze..." [London]: S.G. Fairbrother. Broadside announcing Charles Green's Night ascension in the balloon "Nassau" from Cremorne Gardens, London. Includes a wood-engraved illustration of the ascent in darkness, illuminated by fireworks. 4.75 x 10 inches (12 x 15 cm). Lightly toned, small loss to upper left blank corner, else fine. (23383)
Art & Design Art Recreation & Leisure History & Historiography Ephemera Broadside