Gates to Alexandra Palace Park and Airship pilot Dr Barton

An absolutely fascinating postcard showing the gates to Alexandra Palace Park and Airship pilot Dr Francis Alexander Barton (1861-1939), who made a successful flight on 24th July, 1905. Three years earlier he made a balloon at Alexandra Palace and on 9th August 1902, on the occasion of King Edward VII's Coronation, ascended in it from Beckenham, accompanied by a Frenchman called M. Auguste Eugine Gaudron. Packets of stamped postcards were thrown out of the car at various points. The balloon was carried over the Channel and came down in the sea just off the French coast; and Barton claimed that on that flight he was the first man in England to carry mails by air! (see also 10997539 for this card set in as an insert to another postcard!)

Airmail Allowed Balloonist Blimp Dirigible Hawking Hydrogen Impressive Innovation Inset Railings Signage Wrought

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