'A view of the Balloon of Mr Sadler's', etching by an unknown artist, published by J. Pitts, London, 1811

Print depicting the balloon ascent by James Sadler from outside the Mermaid Tavern in Hackney. The print shows a crowd of spectators, many looking through telescopes or waving their hats. Some people have climbed trees, the church tower or onto the roofs of houses to get a better view. At the bottom right of the image is a woman selling prints of the balloon to commemorate the occasion; the balloon itself is visible above the crowd, with two figures waving flags.

Given by the Hon. Arthur Villiers

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.

E.4769-1923