Ballooning in India

There were a few balloon flights in India notably in Bombay and Calcutta after the first one in 1936. But none carried mail and hence out of this blog’s scope.

The first balloon mail flight in India took place in India on January 14, 1941. This pioneering mail flight was initiated by Dr. Stephen Smith who had balloons released for observation in Calcutta at Curzon Park. Dr. Smith made special arrangement to carry a message addressed to the Hon Secretary, Indian Airmail . Society, Calcutta. Cover carried by the balloons bore words ‘Carried by balloons on observation flight”. But these were not manned balloons.

The first manned balloon flight carrying mail was flown on 14^th November, 1963 when a balloon flight was arranged at the Race course ground in Bangalore. The flight was arranged in aid of the Pestalozzi Children’s village on the lines of balloon flights in Europe. The function was presided over by the Chief Minister of Mysore, Shri S Nijalingappa and inaugurated by Mr. Ramchandani, the Post Master General of Mysore. The balloon was piloted by Mr. H. Jo. Sheer of Pestalozzi Children’s village of West Germany. Mr. Alfred Schulz was the co-pilot and Master Anil Kumar of Bangalore represented India on this unique flight. The philatelic mail included covers and cards of different colours. Some of the covers were signed by the pilot, co-pilot and the sole passenger. Covers bore various cancellations/cachets as can be seen on the covers. Profits from sale of this philatelic mail was donated to the children’s village.

This became a yearly feature till 1966. But cards were flown instead of covers.

Ther were no balloon flights after that. However, there was a special flight in 1867 in aid of the children's village.

First official postal balloon airmail flight

American John Wise (1808-1879) transported the first official U.S. airmail in a locked U.S. mailbag (123 letters and 23 circulars) aboard his hot-air balloon "Jupiter" from from Lafayette, Indiana to Crawfordsville, Indiana (he had hoped to reach New York City, to which the mail was addressed, or Philadelphia but lack of wind shortened the trip.) Upon landing, Wise transferred the mailbag to a railroad postal agent, who put it aboard a train to New York.

First day cover of a stamp issued in 1959 to commemorate centenary of the first balloon mail.

First Balloon Flight in India

THE first balloon ascent in India was made at Calcutta on 16^th March, 1836 by Mr. Dimitri Robertson, a French Aeronaut. He had successfully made sixteen ascents before in different places in Europe. The first balloon ascent in India took place from Garden Beach Road, Calcutta. Some letters were carried by Mr. Robertson in his balloon flight and conveyed by means of pigeons to the exhibition ground below. Unfortunately, no details are available nor any letter seem to have survived. This balloon was 24 ft in diameter containing 9006 cubic feet of hydrogen gas. The balloon rose well, but before it attained a good height, it was seen returning earthward. The Aeronaut threw the ballast overboard to assist upward course of the balloon, it was all in vain. He however managed to descend safely, but the balloon was ripped to pieces so no more ascents were possible.

A special Balloon flight with mail was arranged to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the event.

History of Flight II

It is only in the 15th century that we pass from the realm of mythology to that of fact in the person of Leonardo da Vinci. He was a genius who concluded that man could fly with suitable wings based on his study of flights of birds. He, however, was more interested in the theory of flying rather than actual application of his ideas. But it is reported that a follower of his did construct ribbed wings with which he was able to undertake some successful glides. However, like most pioneers his experiments came to an end with a crash. Italian set of 1932 depicts his flying machine and the 3l stamps shows his protrait.

Tere have been numerous experiments in flying from the time of Leonardo da Vinci but none have found a place in the stamp album. The exception is Friar Bartholomew de Guzmao, who flourished in early 18th century in Portugal. However, his designs were more in his imagination than reality. He can be seen on the 200 reis stamp issed by Brazil in 1929. The 50 reis stamp depicts his monument.


Portugal honoured him on a 1983 stamp along with Mongolfier, to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the conquest of flight.