Travel & Transport
€ 120
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Condition report: Clean impression with vibrant hand-colour. Very light age toning and minor foxing at the margins, not affecting the image. Comes in an acid free matting board.
19th-Century Hand-Coloured Engraving – Balloon Voyage of Sivel over the Øresund
This atmospheric 19th-century hand-coloured engraving depicts the daring balloon voyage of the French aeronaut Joseph Eustache Sivel across the Øresund Strait between Denmark and Sweden. Under a dramatic, cloud-filled evening sky, Sivel’s balloon drifts above the dark waters, tethered to a small rowing boat below. The scene is infused with tension and adventure, capturing both the beauty and the danger of early aeronautical exploration.
The engraving is signed in the plate by A. Tissandier, a notable figure in 19th-century ballooning history who was both an aeronaut and an illustrator. His work often combined first-hand experience with detailed artistic observation, resulting in images that were as accurate as they were evocative. The delicate hand-applied colouring here enhances the scene’s visual drama, with the red and black balloon standing out against the silvery reflections on the sea.
Ballooning in this era was both a scientific pursuit and a spectacle, drawing large public interest and featuring regularly in illustrated periodicals. Voyages such as Sivel’s were undertaken to test endurance, navigation, and meteorological observation from the air. Crossing the Øresund by balloon was a particularly bold undertaking, given the risks of sudden weather changes and the difficulty of coordinating with support vessels on the water.
This print is an excellent example of period aeronautical illustration, appealing to collectors of aviation history, maritime art, and 19th-century scientific imagery.
Condition report: Clean impression with vibrant hand-colour. Very light age toning and minor foxing at the margins, not affecting the image. Comes in an acid free matting board.
Framing tips: A dark wood or black frame with a light cream or off-white mount will complement the engraving’s strong contrasts and highlight the richness of the balloon’s colours.
Technique: Hand-coloured engraving
Maker: A. Tissandier, France, circa 1870s
