"One sees from this splendid aquatint that the custom of putting on show a record-breaking vehicle dates back to the start of practical flying. After Vincenzo Lunardi had made the first aerial voyage in Britain on September 15th, 1784, his gay balloon of blue and red gores was put on exhibition-inflated with air-in the Pantheon in Oxford Street, along with the cat and dog he had taken with him as passengers.
Lunardi came in for much adulation and quite properly after his famous flight; but one may take leave to doubt that his popularity would have been quite so great had he not been quite so handsome. As it was, he was the rage in society for some time, and there was even a vogue for Lunardi bonnets and Lunardi garters among the ladies. But his popularity inevitably waned, even among the fair sex, despite further flights in an even more decorative balloon."
C H Gibbs-Smith
One of 12 print from the Collections of the Royal Aeronautical Society reproduced by the Society to mark its Centenary in 1966 - No, 12
The caption reads…" A representation of Mr. Lunardi's Balloon as exhibited in The Pantheon, 1784.
To the Right Honourable Frederick Earl of Carlisle, Knight of the most Ancient Order of the Thistle &c &c.
This plate is most respectfully dedicated by his Lordship's most devoted and obedient humble servant F G Byron."
Artist:
V Green Engraver to his Majesty
Donated by:
Renee Thornton
Image(s) credit:
Lunardi Balloon on Exhibition (1784), V Green, Royal Aeronautical Society, PDM 1.0
