Paperweight Marked Lunardi - $89 - (New York, NY)
The paperweight is 3.5"in diameter and 2.5" high. As seen in picture 1 and 5 there is a small scratch on the left. Vicenzo Lunardi was a pioneering Italian aeronaut, born in Lucca. His family were of minor Neapolitan nobility, and his father had married late in life. Vicenzo was one of three children. He travelled in France in his early years before being called home, where he was put into the diplomatic service. Italian hot air balloonist Vincenzo Lunardi, commonly referred to as Vincent Lunardi, took off from the Honourable Artillery Company grounds, at Moorfields, London on 19 September 1784 to make the first manned, free floating balloon flight in English skies. He had a cat, a dog and a pigeon for company (due to the balloon not inflating sufficiently he was forced to leave human company behind – some sources refer to one, others to two intended travelling companions). An estimated 150,000 people gathered at the Honourable Artillery Company grounds to see him take off. Among the distinguished spectators and guests was the Prince of Wales (later George IV).
ADVERTISEMENT
From ebay.com - 1 month ago