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Early Ballooning- Louis Guille & Charles Green Early Ballooning -- Louis Guille Document and Charles

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:300.00 - 500.00 USD
Early Ballooning- Louis Guille & Charles Green Early Ballooning -- Louis Guille Document and Charles
<B>Early Ballooning -- Louis Guille Document and Charles Green ALS.</B></I> The Montgolfier brothers discovered in the 1780s that when heated air was collected inside a large lightweight bag, it would cause the bag to rise. The first manned flight took place in France in 1783, and the French would bring ballooning to America about ten years later, causing only a minor stir at the time. The individual most responsible for transforming ballooning into a form of entertainment in America was another Frenchman named Louis Guille. He made exhibition flights along the east coast of the U.S. in 1819-1820. This lot contains a partly printed document, 8" x 13", Philadelphia, October 17, 1820, where Guille is asking for subscribers to "...give him the honour to request a further display of his skill...those persons who may be disposed to encourage his efforts to annex their names to the subjoined subscription list..." Nine subscribers are listed as having given fees of one to five dollars "...to be returned if Mr. Guille should not ascend." Very good condition. <BR><BR>Also in this great lot is an Autograph Letter Signed "<I>C Green</B></I>". Two pages, 3.5" x 5.5", Highgate(?), September 14, 1847. In full: "<I>Dear Sir. In consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather yesterday my ascent from ?? is postponed to this evening and as it is probably the last ascent of the Nassau this season you will not have an opportunity to ascend after this day. I am Sir Yours Respectfully</B></I>" Green would make 526 successful ascents between 1821 and his retirement in 1852. That and his 18-hour flight from London to Germany in 1836 made him the most famous of all British pre-20th century balloonists. Fine condition. From the Henry E. Luhrs Collection.