The Montgolfier brothers’ experiments with hot-air balloons quickly drew the attention of the king. On 19 September 1783, they performed the first-ever flight at Versailles, sending up several farm animals as passengers. That October, Étienne became the first human test pilot, in a balloon decorated with Louis XVI’s face and monogram (see image at right). These two bindings commemorate that ascent, replacing Louis’s initials with those of Marie-Antoinette. The Montgolfier balloon made such an impact that the balloon globe became a visual element in all types of decorative arts and home accessories.
Bound for Marie-Antoinette (1755–1793)
Red morocco, with gilt tooling “à la Montgolfière” and monogram, on: Barthélemy Imbert (1747–1790)
Lecture du matin and Lecture du soir, 1782
PML 198378–79