Description
Complete 1956 Ariel Press Balloons portfolio, with introduction and notes by C. H. Gibbs-Smith, Companion of the Royal Aeronautical Society. This oversized mid-century plate set features historic early ballooning imagery, including the famous 1783 “Premier Voyage Aérien,” with plates made and printed in Germany by K. G. Lohse, Frankfurt am Main.
A wonderful aviation-history and decorative print item, this portfolio connects directly to the earliest age of human flight, when balloon ascents captured public imagination across Europe. The large color plates reproduce scarce 18th- and early 19th-century ballooning prints, making the set appealing to collectors of aviation history, ballooning, French history, scientific exploration, and frameable historical art.
Key details:
* Published by The Ariel Press, London, 1956
* Introduction and notes by C. H. Gibbs-Smith
* Complete with 12 large color ballooning plates
* Plates made and printed in Germany by K. G. Lohse, Frankfurt am Main
* Includes historically important early aviation/ballooning subjects
* Oversized portfolio format with strong display and framing appeal
Condition: The original outer wrapper is present but heavily worn, with age toning, chipping, edge wear, paper loss, spine wear, old tape reinforcement, and a clipped/cut price area. The set is otherwise complete, and the interior plates are the primary collectible and display feature. Please view all the photos for the best sense of condition and completeness.
A scarce and attractive mid-century Ariel Press ballooning portfolio, especially desirable as a complete set of historic aviation plates.
