Large 1878 World's Exposition French Balloon Flight Medal

The gilt medal is approximately 2 inches in diameter, on a small ribbon which is largely separated from the suspension ring. The medal obverse depicts an aerial view of Paris with the caption of 'Panorama De Paris 1878'. The reverse side bears the statement of 'Souvenir De Mon Ascension Dans Le Grand Ballon Captif A Vapeur De Mr. Henry Giffard ('A Souvenir of My Ascent in the Large Steam-Filled Captive Balloon of Mr. Henry Giffard'). Baptiste Jules Henri Jacques Giffard (8 February 1825 – 14 April 1882) was a French engineer. In 1852 he invented the steam injector and the powered Giffard dirigible airship.