A printed broadsheet advertising the forthcoming ascent of Charles Green (1785-1870) from the Royal Gardens at Vauxhall, London on Tuesday 16 August 1836. A 'Grand Day Fete Champetre and Balloon Race' was declared on this day in order that the Duke of Brunswick could ascend with Green in his balloon, after an earlier ascent had to be cancelled owing to bad weather. This was probably one of the last flights made by Green in his 'Royal Coronation' balloon. His next balloon, the 'Royal Vauxhall' (later renamed the 'Nasau'), made its maiden voyage on 9 September 1836. Just two months later on 7 November, Green sealed his reputation as the greatest of English aeronauts when he flew from Vauxhall to Nasau in Germany in the world's longest balloon flight.
© Science Museum / Science & Society Picture Library