This item has been sold, but you can get on the Waitlist to be notified if another example becomes available, or purchase a digital scan.
1786 John Jeffries 'A Narrative of Two Aerial Voyages' (author's own copy)
NarrativeOfTheTwoAerialVoyages-jeffries-1786$5,500.00

Title
A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with Meteorological Observations and remarks. / First Voyage, on the Thirtieth of November, 1784, from the Rhedarium, near Grosvenor Square, London, into the Paris of Stone, in the Country of Kent; in performing which, we were suspended, and floating in the Atmosphere, on Hour and twenty-one Minutes. / Second Voyage, on the Seventh of January, 1785, from the Cliffs of Dover, Near the Royal Castle, across the British Channel, into the Forest of Guines, in the Province of Artois, in France: In completing which, we were suspended, and floating in the Atmosphere, Two Hours over the Sea; and forty-seven minutes of the Land of France.
1786 (dated) 11.25 x 9 in (28.575 x 22.86 cm)
1786 (dated) 11.25 x 9 in (28.575 x 22.86 cm)
Description
One of the most important books ever published with regard to the history of aviation, this is the American physician John Jeffries' (February 5, 1744 - September 16, 1819) personal copy of his narratives of two balloon voyages personally undertaken in the company of the French balloonist Jean Pierre Blanchard (July 4, 1753 – March 7, 1809). The first narrative relates to the November 30, 1784 voyage wherein Jeffries and Blanchard took their first flight together from the Rhedarium behind Green Street, Mayfair, London, to Ingress in Kent. The second, more historic, voyage took place on January 7, 1785 wherein the aeronautical duo lifted off from Dover, near the Royal Castle, and crossed the English Channel to arrive two hours later at Guines, in the French province of Artois. The voyages collectively chronicled here, consist of a number of important firsts, including
The venture was a resounding success and marked a pivotal moment in this history of aviation. Jeffries, being a man of both means and leisure, composed a sixty page narrative describing the accomplishments in detail. The narrative consisted of a stipple-engraved portrait frontispiece by Caroline Watson after F. Russel, and an engraved plate illustrating a column to commemorate the event. Jeffries printed the volume at his own expense. It must have enjoyed a very limited print run with no commercial element, as almost all known copies are directly related to either individuals related to the voyage, their families, or dignitaries. For example, known copies bear plates from the library of Camille Blanchard (descendent of Blanchard), Benjamin Joy Jeffries (Jeffries' Grandson), George Washington, Phillip Carrigain (another doctor and friend of Jeffries), etc.
The present example bears the unique distinction of being Jeffries own copy, featuring a bookplate bearing his armorial crest and name.
The volume is a small folio in a modern period-style binding, leather spine, and marbled boards. This work exists in only one edition. Very rare.
- The first international flight
- The first air crossing of the English Channel
- The first attempts to collect scientific data from a lighter-than-air vehicle
- The first English-language treatise on aeronautics by an American
The venture was a resounding success and marked a pivotal moment in this history of aviation. Jeffries, being a man of both means and leisure, composed a sixty page narrative describing the accomplishments in detail. The narrative consisted of a stipple-engraved portrait frontispiece by Caroline Watson after F. Russel, and an engraved plate illustrating a column to commemorate the event. Jeffries printed the volume at his own expense. It must have enjoyed a very limited print run with no commercial element, as almost all known copies are directly related to either individuals related to the voyage, their families, or dignitaries. For example, known copies bear plates from the library of Camille Blanchard (descendent of Blanchard), Benjamin Joy Jeffries (Jeffries' Grandson), George Washington, Phillip Carrigain (another doctor and friend of Jeffries), etc.
The present example bears the unique distinction of being Jeffries own copy, featuring a bookplate bearing his armorial crest and name.
The volume is a small folio in a modern period-style binding, leather spine, and marbled boards. This work exists in only one edition. Very rare.
Condition
Very Good. Printed for the author and sold [by J.Robson], London, 1786. Engravings (illustrator). First Edition. 11.25 x 9 inches. Complete including: Jeffries' bookplate, frontis engraving, title page for two volume set, title page of first narrative, title page of second narrative, the 'advertisement,' 60 pages of text, and the endpiece engraving. Light soling and foxing throughout but generally clean and consistent.
References
Brockett 6577; Gamble 4878.