The grand air balloon. Jean-Pierre Blanchard and John Sheldon ascending in a balloon on the 16 October; 1784. The grand air balloon as it ascended with Messrs. Blanchard & John Sheldon; from the Royal Military Academy; Little Chelsea; 16 Oct. 1784. Jean Pierre Fran鏾is Blanchard (1753-1809); a French balloonist; inventor of the parachute; was killed at La Haye using one. He was the first man; with John Jeffries; an American; to cross the English Channel by balloon; from Dover to Calais in 1785.Image taken from A collection of broadsides; cuttings from newspapers; engravings; etc. of various dates; formed by Miss S. S. Banks. Bound in nine volumes.Originally published / produced in 1780?-1810?.1780?-1810?.From: A collection of broadsides; cuttings from newspape.L.R. 301. h. 3; 146London; British Library.