Rare 1861 Civil War Balloonist Letter.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/30/2019

A rare Civil War era aeronaut's letter written by Barrington, Rhode Island native James Allen (1824-1897) who distinguished himself through a lifelong commitment to aeronautics in the 19th century. Allen's first ascension in Rhode Island took place in 1856, and for the next 50 years Allen balloon ascensions became a part of the state's culture. James Allen was America's first military aeronaut, and he and his brother served with distinction during the Civil War at Yorktown, malvern Hill and Chancellorsville. Count Ferdinand Zeppelin first went aloft in an Allen balloon, and George Armstrong Custer was another of Allen's military passengers. The letter, 2pp. 8vo., written by James Allen, as pilot of the balloon "Constitution", Providence, [R. I.], Sept. 17, 1861 to George B. Barrows, reading, in part: "…my prize for making an ascension on such occasions is three hundred dollars, but in consideration of the times I propose to make an ascension for you any day during your Fair with a balloon 16,000 cubic feet capacity capable of taking up one or more persons for the modest sum of two hundred dollars…should you make arrangements to have two ascensions I will make them both for three hundred dollars. These terms are exclusive of the gas. The ariel ship that I propose to use on this ascension is a new linen one. with its name ("Constitution") on the equator and…ornamented to suit the times [and] as usual, I will let off a number of small pilot balloons during the inflation of the large one. Should the above meet your views, I have a cut representing the Fair grounds and the balloon ascending which you can have for your posters. Have made many ascensions for Agl. Soc'y, three for the New London Co. Soc'y. and their receipts, the third day…exceeded the two previous days [of] twelve hundred…balloon ascension tends to draw a larger concourse of people than any other exhibition. Should you conclude to have an ascension an early reply will oblige…James Allen." Light toning, else VG.

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