41,400 CHF
A letter from Etienne de Montgolfier (1745-1799) to Abraham Louis Breguet, dated 23 messidor VI (July 11, 1798) concerning Breguet’s constant force escapement, and a drawing of the escapement that Montgolfier had done. The Montgolfier brohers, Joseph Michel and Étienne Jacques were pioneers in hot-air balloon flight. The first hot-air balloon was launched in the marketplace of Annonay. The Montgolfiers carried out the next experiment at Versailles, where a large audience includ-ing Louis XVI and Marie Antionette admired their balloon as it ascended, carrying a sheep, a cock, and a duck. The flight lasted eight-minutes and the balloon ascended to a height of approximately 3 km.
Auctioneer:
Antiquorum
Date:
2005-05-15
