Le Tricolore. Aérostat de 800 mêtres cubes, Diamêtre 11m 53.

Colored lithograph of 'Le Tricolore' balloon. Image shows the balloon decorated with the colors of the French flag aloft with two men and one woman in the basket.

The aeronaut is Claude Jules Duruof (1841-1899). At 8 am on September 20, 1870 he flew a balloon out of besieged Paris. He was one of the aeronaut/heroes of the Siege of Paris. He was later charged with cooperating with the communards, but acquitted.

This lithograph was signed by Duruof on June 6, 1874. The year before, he and his wife ascended in threatening weather when the crowd questioned their courage, remarking, "Let us show them that we are not afraid to die." The pair disappeared into the mist and were forced down and presumed lost. Their rescue by the English fishing boat Grand Charge was much celebrated.

The diameter of the balloon is given as 11 meters 53. Scale is given as 25 mille=1 meter.

'Imp. E. Hamelin Rue Fontaine au Roi 59 Paris.'