Basil Smith: Globo Charlier Hydrogen Balloon

Artist: Basil Smith
1925 -
Nationality: British
Artwork Year: 1985
Image Size: 7 by 6 inches
Overall Size: 10 by 9 inches
Medium: Mixed Media on Hot Press Illustration Board

The first manned hydrogen balloon flight was made in France in 1783. The distinguished French physicist J.A.C. Charles had been retained by the prestigious Academie des Sciences in Paris to explore the possibilities of the hydrogen balloon. A few short months before, the Montgolfier brothers' hot air balloon had made a successful manned flight but many felt the hot air balloon was too dangerous because of the threat of fire. Professor Charles secured the help of Jean and Noel Robert, mechanics who had devised a method of impregnating silk with rubber, making a fabric which was gas tight. After a successful unmanned flight, the day came to send men aloft. Professor Charles and the elder Robert brother made the ascent from the Tuileries Gardens in Paris on December 1, 1783. After remaining in the air for nearly two hours, the balloon descended at Nesle, twenty-seven miles from Paris and was welcomed by an enthusiastic crowd. It was at Nesle that an unexpected turn of events happened. Monsieur Robert apparently left the balloon basket before Professor Charles was ready and the balloon shot skyward with the surprised Professor aboard. The balloon rose to an estimated ten thousand feet and the Professor later boasted that he was the first man in the world the see the sun set twice in the same day.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® Trains & Boats & Planes & More Collection Description Card for the Globo Charlier Hydrogen Balloon.

Artwork Copyright © 1985 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB09506

US$ Price: $950.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Shipping and handling will be added to the first payment. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-443-4225 from throughout U.S. and Canada.