Description
The engraving includes an explanatory diagram labeled A-D:
A. The Balloon with the Car and Parachute attached to it as Mr. Garnerin ascended from the Parthenon, North Audley Street.
B. The Balloon as it appeared when at a great height after the Parachute had been separated.
C. The Parachute descending.
D. The Aeronaut; whose life the same as the original was specifically preserved by the vibration of the Parachute in descending.
André-Jacques Garnerin was a former French military officer and an early pioneer of aeronautics. In 1797, he made the first recorded parachute descent from a hot-air balloon, using a parachute of silk, made without a rigid frame. This daring flight was publicized across Europe, sparking both scientific curiosity and public fascination. The device employed in this flight represented a critical early step in the general development of parachute technology and in aerial safety. Incidentally, the more accepted subsequently developed for technique for landing a hot-air balloon is use of a coordinated process of guiding the balloon towards a suitable landing site while controlling its descent by adjusting the burner and vent to decrease heat.
Darton and Harvey, the London publishers of this print, were among the most prolific and respected producers of educational and scientific prints in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based in Gracechurch Street, London, they specialized in illustrated works for children and the general public, often focused on science, invention, and natural history. Their hand-colored engravings were prized for both accuracy and visual appeal, making advanced scientific ideas accessible to a broad audience.
Condition: Generally very good, recently professionally cleaned and restored, with blank margins added. Light remaining toning, handling marks, and wear consistent with age.
References:
“Darton & Harvey Archive.” Archives Hub. https://archiveshub.jisc.ac.uk/search/archives/3737d76b-d828-3f89-a7cd-25552dbe96bf. (12 June 2025).
“Jacques Garnerin.” Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andr%C3%A9-Jacques_Garnerin. (12 June 2025).
