Antique Framed Lithograph Colour Print 'Ascension De Testu Bressy' 17 Juin 1786

Very nice antique colour lithograph print on paper entitled 'Ascension de Testu-Bressy' (17 juin 1786)' and printed in Italy by Grafiche Tassotti N. 794. Nice clean print in a period frame. Hanging loop on verso.

Pierre Testu-Bressy (1770? - 1829) was a pioneering French balloonist. He made his first balloon ascent in 1786, and the first night ascent on 11 May or 18 June 1786 in a hydrogen balloon. He subsequently undertook more than 50 flights in his lifetime.
Gaston Tissandier's Histoire des ballons et des aéronautes célèbres (History of famous balloons and aeronauts) (published in 1887) described Testu-Brissy's earliest ballooning thus :
'During the last years of the eighteenth century, besides the military applications by men of heart and patriotism, balloons continued to contribute to national and military festivals. Three years before the Revolution, Testu-Brissy, a new aeronaut, gave himself the title of physicist and announced plans for a twenty-four hour balloon flight, using a hydrogen balloon with oars similar to Jean-Pierre Blanchard.
The first ascent by Testu-Brissy took place on June 18, 1786, at 4.50 pm, from the Jardin du Luxembourg to the plain of Montmorency, Val-d'Oise (approximately 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) north). He then set off again and landed around 8 pm between Écouen and Wariville (near Litz, Oise circa 45 kilometres (28 mi) north).'

Grafiche Tassotti is a fine Italian printing house with a history which goes back to the mid C17th.

Condition:  Clean print in very nice frame. Only issue is some spotting on the inside of the glass which I cannot reach to clean unless I remove the backing which I am reluctant to do as it is such pretty old paper. Obviously if this really bothers you then you will have to do this and sacrifice the old paper but I think a couple of spots really don't matter that much.

Postage:  I always pack everything extremely well to ensure safety in transit. Postage to the UK is free and includes proof of posting and a tracking number. I always send a photograph of the postage label to the customer on despatch for peace of mind. If you wish these posted overseas please contact me first for a price.