Witty commentaries on the aeronautical experiments that captivated Paris in the 1780s, with engraved verses below each scene. 18th-century vogue for ballooning satire, printed around the time of the first manned flights in France (1780s).
“Moyen infaillible d’enlever les Ballons” A satirical scene in which an elaborate rope-and-pulley scheme—operated by monks and dreamers—is confidently presented as a ‘foolproof’ way to launch a hot-air balloon.
“Moyen infaillible de diriger les Ballons” An equally absurd ‘solution’ to balloon steering shows horsemen galloping across the countryside while dragging the airborne pilot along behind them.
“A Messieurs les Souscripteurs” A chaotic village comedy in which grateful thanks are addressed to balloon sponsors as the launch disastrously collapses into total bedlam.
Light toning; colors bright; housed in later simple frames.
