GERMANY. Baron von Lütgendorf Balloon Ascent Over Augsburg White Metal Medal, 1786. NGC MS-62.
By Joseph Daiser. Diameter: 47.2mm. Obverse: Bust of Baron von Lütgendorf facing left, perimeter legend TURM ALIS DICAVIT L. B. DE LVTGENDORF ARONAUT: GERMAN . I . & STRAUS BRAF.; signature DAISER on truncation of bust; Reverse: Balloon at right, flying above Augsburg cityscape among clouds; perimeter legend AUGUSTO ASCENDIT AUGUSTAE / VIND. above, date MDCCLXXXVI in exergue below. Small copper plug as made. Joseph Maximilian Freiherr Baron von Lütgendorf, taking inspiration from Jean Pierre Blanchard, announced in 1786 his intent to build a balloon and ascend from Augsburg, Germany. He found financiers and contracted for his hydrogen balloon to be built. It had a decorated boat-shaped gondola fitted with feathered rudders; he named the balloon Gondolfiere. Lütgendorf had selected 24 August as the launch date, built an amphitheater to hold the expected crowd, and sold some 100,000 tickets for the event. An operetta called "Der Luftballon" was written by Emanuel Schikaneder was commissioned to write an operetta - "Der Luftballoon" - for the occasion. Bad weather and human error, however, resulted in two failed launch attempts and Lütgendorf was chased out of town. A subsequent launch attempt in the nearby village of Gersthofen was equally unsuccessful and the violent weather destroyed his balloon. Leaflets were pre-printed and medals pre-struck to tout the success of the event... This example offers gray argent surfaces with whiter argent remaining in protected areas. A tangible memento embodying the dreams and precariousness of the early days of flight. Attractive and desirable.
Margolis had a few rather overt interests in his collecting of medallic art. One such theme was that of medals pertaining to man's earliest pursuits to conquer the heavens in the form of ballooning. The European exploits of the late 18th century are contained here across many different country categories. Also quite noticeable was his interest in the medallic art of Jewish engravers, such as Jakob Abraham and his son, Abraham Abramson, among numerous others. Across this selection of medals, these themes and topics will become obvious, adding further dimensions to the already intense focus with which Margolis pursued his collecting.
From the Richard Margolis Collection.

Estimate: $100.00 - $200.00