Beschreibung:

JEFFRIES, John (ca. 1744-1819). A Narrative of the Two Aerial Voyages of Doctor Jeffries with Mons. Blanchard; with meteorological observations and remarks . London: for the author, 1786. 4 o (286 x 226 mm). Stipple-engraved frontispiece portrait by Caroline Watson (1761-1814) after drawing by F. Russell, one engraved plate. Original plain blue wrappers, stabbed as issued, uncut (chipped along spine). FIRST EDITION. Jeffries, a physician, was born in Boston, attended Harvard and earned a medical degree in Aberdeen, Scotland. When the Revolution broke out he was among the British army in the Savannah and Charleston compaigns. He returned to England after the war and became interested in aerostation. "He seems to have been the first to attempt to gather scientific data of the free air. His observations were made with care, and since he had sufficient means, he was able to secure instruments of high grade. His flights were made with the French aeronaut Blanchard, who received distinguished honors, but it was Jeffries who paid the bills, accepted the responsibility, and made the observations" (DSB). This work documents their two ascents, one over London on 30 November 1784, and the other across the English Channel on 7 January 1785; both were made for scientific purposes and their results were presented to the Royal Society. Jeffries brought an array of scientific instruments to make observations of temperature, air pressure and humidity. Jeffries Narrative documents "the first flight by a physician, the first crossing of the English channel by balloon, and the first international flight" (Garrison-Morton). Garrision-Morton 2137.2; Hodgson, pp. 167-171; Norman 1159.