A matter of course… 19th Century adventurers, as well as scientists, loved to mess with balloons. Admittedly they weren’t always able to call ahead for tea and scones, being delayed or misdirected to unexpected locations by tempestuous winds. Successful balloonists, however, raved about the beauty and magnificence of flying. Serenely floating over the Alps, silently propelled by prevailing winds, seeing the earth below as a world not belonging to them. The colorful teardrop-shaped balloons of today are all filled with hot air. At the turn of the 20th century balloons were spherical and helium filled. We researched these original helium balloons, with their characteristic rattan baskets, in the Museum of Flight in Paris and the German Science Museum in Munich. Our miniatures, very similar to the scale-models displayed in those museums, are assembled with paper-maché spheres covered in striped simulated fabric. The rattan baskets hang from hand knotted netting, attached with toggles for easy assembly. The large balloons carry sand bags, at the ready to be released as ballast.

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Stock...#AP160A
Color...Red
H. 5.12" / 13 cm.
Diam. 3.35" / 8.51 cm.
Our Item Price...$15.00
US Standard Shipping.....FREE