Balloons are very popular with topical collectors and you can find many stamps featuring balloons from many countries. I think a lot of the popularity has to do with the US Zeppelin airmails of the U.S., another set I will never probably own.

In any case, the one above issued in 1936 in France features François Pilâtre de Rozier (1754-1785), physicist and balloonist. Francois (let’s just call him Frank) first saw a balloon in June of 1783 when he witnessed the first public demonstration of a balloon by the Montgolfier brothers. Later, in September. he would assist with the untethered flight of a sheep, a cockerel, and a duck from the front courtyard of the Palace of Versailles. French King Louis XVI.

Pushing the ballooning envelope he petitioned to be one of the pilots of the first manned balloon flight. Originally criminals would have been used, due to the threat of death, but he wanted the prestige. In November, 1783 he, and a companion, flew for a 25 minute trip and landed safely.

His final flight was an attempt to fly from France to England over the English channel. At a certain point, while 1,500 feet in the air, his balloon caught fire and he plunged to his death.

Balloons flying in France has always been looked at as a status symbol. In 19th Century Paris, two men, Monsieur de Grandpre and Monsieur de Pique quarreled over the affection of a woman. Rather than simply have a due to the death on the ground they decided to take their dispute to the air. In May of 1808 they each rose into the air in separate balloons armed with shotguns and accompanied by a co-pilot (what was he thinking?).

De Pique fired and missed. Be Grandpre hit De Piques balloon which plummeted to the ground killing both passengers.

Pretty classy way to die. huh?