BALDWIN, Thomas. Airopaidia: Containing the Narrative... Lot 10

BALDWIN, Thomas. Airopaidia: Containing the Narrative of a Balloon Excursion from Chester, the eighth of September, 1785, taken from Minutes made during the Voyage: Hints on the Improvement of Balloons, and mode of inflation by Steam: Means to prevent their descent over water: Occasional Enquiries into the State of the Atmosphere, favoring their Direction: With various Philosophical Observations and Conjectures. To which is subjoined, Mensuration of Heights by the Barometer, made plain: With extensive Tables. The whole serving as an Introduction to Aerial Navigation: With a copious Index. Chester: Printed for the Author, by J. Fletcher; and sold by W. Lowndes, London; J. Poole, Chester; and other Booksellers, 1786. First edition, in-8; [ii], viii, [1p.], 361p. [numbered 360]; 4 folding plates, two of which are colored (Circular view from the balloon at its greatest Elevation; Balloon over Helsbye-Hill in Cheshire, Balloon prospect from above the clouds; Explanatory print). Nice copy with large margins. Very rare and sought after. The two beautiful colored plates seem to be the first true representations of the earth seen from the sky, through the clouds. Abbey Life 386.