Description des Expériences de la Machine Aérostatique de Mm. de Montgolfier, et de celles auxquelles cette découverte a donné lieu.

Paris: Chez Cuchet, 1783-4.. FIRST EDITION. 2 vols. 8vo. (19.5 x 12.5). pp.xl+299+7; [ii]+366+[1]. Bound for Bumpus in half red morocco, spine with simple raised bands and gilt lettering, top edge gilt. 14 full page engraved plates. Ex libris Annie Pearson [Viscountess Cowdray] and Sir Weetman Dickinson Pearson.. Paddockhurst. Title pages and frontispieces browned, still very nice copy. "The first serious treatise on aerostation as a practical possibility" (PMM). In June of 1783, the Montgolfier brothers successfully launched a balloon over Annonay, marking the beginning of the history of flight. This was surpassed in September when they sent up another balloon, this time carrying a sheep, a cock and a duck. Even more sensational was the flight of November 21, in which Pilâtre de Rozier, accompanied by the Marquis d'Arlandes, embarked from the Château de la Muette in the Bois de Bologne and flew for five and a half miles across Paris - the first aerial voyage in history. The experiment, which was witnessed by the Dauphin and Benjamin Franklin, was an event of the highest importance. On December 1, 1783, J.A.C. Charles made a much longer ascent in a hydrogen balloon of his own invention, and stayed aloft for two hours. These aerial voyages and more are described in these volumes. ?