FRANCE, Royal. Joseph-Michel & Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, balloonists and aviation pioneers. 1740-1810 and 1745-1799. AR Medal (42mm, 37.99 g, 12h). By Gatteaux. Dated 1783 (in Roman numerals), though struck 1860s. VF.

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Lot: 699. Estimated: $ 200

World Medals, Silver

Sold For $ 350. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

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FRANCE, Royal. Joseph-Michel & Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier, balloonists and aviation pioneers. 1740-1810 and 1745-1799. AR Medal (42mm, 37.99 g, 12h). By Gatteaux. Dated 1783 (in Roman numerals), though struck 1860s. JOSE · ET ETIEN · MONTGOLFIER POUR AVOIR RENDU L’AIR NAVIGABLE, jugate busts left / ATTONITUS ORBIS TERRARUM, personification of Paris seated right, gesturing towards male figure reclining left in cloud; at center, the Montgolfier’s balloon; on ground to right, lion seated left, head right; in exergue, ITINERE PER AERA FELICITER/ TENTATO ANNO. MDCCLXXXIII. Edge: bee and ARGENT. Toned, scattered scratches and marks. VF.

The brothers Joseph-Michel and Jacques-Étienne Montgolfier developed the first hot air balloon in 1782-1783. After a few unmanned trials earlier that summer, on 19 September 1783, they launched their balloon Aérostat Réveillon with a basket containing a sheep, a duck, and a rooster. The sheep was to serve as a stand-in for a human body, while the duck was the control, as they obviously attain such altitudes regularly. The rooster was to demonstrate that non-flying birds could survive at altitude. The successful flight, lasting eight minutes, was held before the king and queen at the palace of Versailles.

The Révellion was refitted with various ornate touches appropriate to the contemporary style and prepared for manned flight. On 15 October, Étienne Montgolfier made a tethered ascent, making him the first humant to fly in a balloon. This was followed on 21 November by a public demonstration on the outskirts of Paris.

Closing Date and Time: 16 August 2023 at 13:52:40 ET.

All winning bids are subject to a 20% buyer’s fee.