Ballooning: a 19th century French gilt metal souvenir medallion*

Ballooning: a 19th century French gilt metal souvenir medallion*, stamped on the obverse with a captive balloon and 'PANORAMA DE PARIS 1878' (fitted case), 2in (5cm) diameter. *'Souvenir de Mon Ascension dans Le Grand Bamon Captif A Vapeur De MR HENRY GIFFARD' Henry V. Giffard (1825-1882), great experimental balloonist/inventor whose last and greatest balloon was built for the Paris World Fair of 1878. It was probably the largest conventional balloon ever built. Its car held 52 passengers and as a captive balloon it was a huge success and by the end of the fair it had taken up over 35,000 passengers.