A narrative of the two aerial voyages. . . .
Publisher Information: London: for the author, 1786.
Jeffries, John (1744/45-1819). A narrative of the two aerial voyages of Dr. Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with meteorological observations and remarks. London: for the author, and sold by J. Robson, 1786. 4to. [8], 7-60 pp. Stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait by Caroline Watson (1761-1814) after a crayon portrait by F. Ruysdell; engraved plate bound at end. 282 x 227 mm. (uncut). Original plain blue wrappers. Fine copy, inscribed on the title by Jeffries' grandson, Benjamin Joy Jeffries (1833-1915): "Mr. George H. Gabb London with the compts. of the Author's grandson, Dr. B. Joy Jeffries. Boston, Mass 1911."
Book Id: 39497First Edition. Garrison-Morton 2137.2: "The first flight by a physician, the first crossing of the English Channel by balloon, and the first international flight." Jeffries, a wealthy American physician, financed two balloon voyages made with the French balloonist Jean-Pierre Blanchard, during which he made the first attempts to gather scientific data from a lighter-than-air vehicle. The first ascent, on 30 November 1784, took place over London and lasted one hour and twenty-one minutes; Jeffries used an array of instruments to make observations of temperature, air pressure and humidity (up to a height of 9,309 feet), which conform closely to modern determinations.
On 7 January 1785 Jeffries and Blanchard made a second ascent at Dover and performed the first aerial crossing of the English Channel, landing in the forest of Guines in the French province of Artois after two hours and forty-seven minutes.
This copy was inscribed by Jeffries' grandson, Dr. Benjamin Joy Jeffries, a physician specializing in diseases of the eyes and skin. Hodgson, pp. 167-171. The romance of ballooning, p. 48. Norman 1159.Price: $7,500.00