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Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. Creator: Unknown
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Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. Creator: Unknown
Ascent of M. Poiteven, on Horseback, in a Balloon, from the Champ de Mars, Paris, 1850. Upwards of 10, 000 persons paid for admission...to witness the ascent...It was a matter of considerable difficulty to fill the balloon with gas, owing to the violent wind...it was beaten to and fro...so strongly, that several of the spectators had to assist in holding it...a stout cloth was placed round the body of the horse, and...the animal was attached by cords to the network of the balloon...The aeronaut was dressed as a jockey, and had with him several bottles of wine and some bread....The emotion of the spectators was very great, and one lady fainted'. Poiteven said: "I found the cold almost insupportable. When clear of the clouds, I saw some splendid rainbows, and other phenomena of the solar rays...my horse was close to the fields, and bit off the tops of the corn as he passed over it". From "Illustrated London News", 1850
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Media ID 36213651
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Animal Cruelty Balloon Ballooning Champ De Mars Cruelty Cruelty To Animals Gas Balloon Horseman Horsemen Hot Air Balloon Paris Ile De France France Riders Showman Silly Air Transport
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the thrilling moment of M. Poiteven's ascent into the Parisian sky on horseback in a hot air balloon from the Champ de Mars in 1850. The scene was a spectacle that drew over 10,000 onlookers, eager to witness this extraordinary feat. The ascent was not without its challenges, as the violent wind made it a daunting task to fill the balloon with gas. Spectators had to lend a hand to keep the balloon from being battered about. M. Poiteven, dressed as a jockey, prepared for the ride of his life. With several bottles of wine and some bread in tow, he mounted his horse and was secured to the balloon by cords. The anticipation among the crowd was palpable, and the emotion was so intense that one lady fainted. Poiteven described the experience as chilling, but once above the clouds, he was treated to a breathtaking view of rainbows and solar phenomena. His horse, too, seemed to enjoy the ride, nibbling on the fields below as they passed over. This photograph is a glimpse into a bygone era, a time when the wonders of science and the allure of adventure captured the imagination of the masses. Though the identity of the photographer remains unknown, their work preserves a moment in history that continues to inspire awe and wonder.
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