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Prime Bang up at Hackney, or a peep at the Balloon

Print
1811 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Satirical print depicting the balloon ascent by James Sadler from outside the Mermaid Tavern in Hackney. The print shows a caricatured crowd of spectators, some people climbing on the pub sign to get a better view, others being trampled by the crowd. The balloon is visible in the distance, with two figures waving flags.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitlePrime Bang up at Hackney, or a peep at the Balloon (published title)
Materials and techniques
hand coloured etching
Brief description
'Prime Bang up at Hackney, or a peep at the Balloon', hand-coloured etching by William Elmes, published by Thomas Tegg, London, 1811
Physical description
Satirical print depicting the balloon ascent by James Sadler from outside the Mermaid Tavern in Hackney. The print shows a caricatured crowd of spectators, some people climbing on the pub sign to get a better view, others being trampled by the crowd. The balloon is visible in the distance, with two figures waving flags.
Dimensions
  • Height: 13.75in
  • Width: 9.75in
Dimensions taken from departmental handlist.
Marks and inscriptions
  • plate numbered '80'
  • by Thos Tegg No. 111 Cheapside
  • Wm E__me (signed)
  • Price one shilling coloured
Credit line
Given by the Hon. Arthur Villiers
Object history
This print records James Sadler's balloon flight to mark the birthday of George, Prince of Wales (later George IV) on 12th August 1811. He took off from the gardens of the Mermaid Tavern in Hackney, along with Captain Paget of the Royal Navy, who was a paying passenger, and landed near Tilbury Fort 73 minutes later.

This object was part of the John Edmund Gardner collection of topographical prints and drawings of London. After Gardner's death the collection passed to his son Edmund Thomas, but was sold to Edward Coates MP in 1910. The collection was sold again in 1923 after Coates' death, and was split between various institutions and private collectors. The portion connected with Hoxton, Homerton, Hackney and Bethnal Green was bought by the Hon. Arthur Villiers and donated to the Bethnal Green Museum.
Production
1872,1012.4972
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Associations
Bibliographic reference
Taken from departmental handlist.
Collection
Accession number
E.4768-1923

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Record createdJune 30, 2009
Record URL
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