French aviation pioneer, who designed, built, and flew the first practical dirigible balloons. In doing so he became the first person to demonstrate that routine, controlled flight was possible. Original vintage signed ink sketch of Santos-Dumont’s No. 9 “Baladeuse” dirigible on an off-white 2.75 x 5.5 trimmed album page, signed “Santos-Dumont, New York, 1904.” In fine condition, with a thin strip of trivial toning along right edge.
One of the better known Santos-Dumont airships, the No. 9 Baladeuse was built to demonstrate the possibilities of urban travel…and he often used it to literally ‘drop in’ on unsuspecting friends or as transportation to one of the Paris boulevards for a cocktail, where he would land in front of the pub. This very airship has been featured in various publications of the era in discussion of air travel. Although Santos-Dumont did not advance airship technology to any great extent, he perfected the technique of flying airships, and also was fortunate enough to have had the wealth that allowed him to develop and fly various ships. He used his No. 9 airship on a regular commuter route between Neuilly St. James and St. Cloud in France. A unique artifact of early 20th century aviation history. RRAuction COA.
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