$7500

This large broadside informed the people of Cincinnati of a spectacle to come—a hot air balloon ascension on Wednesday, May 13th of 1835. It states that the operator, Richard Clayton (ca. 1807-1878), “will take his departure from the amphitheatre on Court Street between Race and Elm, at 6 o’clock. P.M. … A Band of Music will attend.” It also boasts of Clayton’s intention to take the balloon all the way to the Atlantic Ocean with a bag of mail and newspapers for the east, “if the wind be favorable.”

It was not. Soon after takeoff on May 13, strong winds caused Clayton to crash. He landed safely, but the aerial ship “Star of the West” was damaged beyond repair. Catalog Record.

“Star of the West: Grand aerial voyage from Cincinnati to the Atlantic Ocean. The aerial ship STAR OF THE WEST, which lately made a voyage from Cincinnati to the Alleghany mountains, 350 miles in 9 and a half hours, will take her departure from Cincinnati, on Wednesday, May 13th. And if the wind permit proceed to the Atlantic ocean.

Mr. Clayton respectfully informs his friends and the public that he has made several alterations to his aerial machine, which will enable him to continue in the atmosphere a greater length of time then he continued on his last voyage, and that he is desirous of making a voyage, if the wind be favorable, from this city to the Atlantic ocean.

Mr. C. will be supplied with a MAIL BAG, containing the newspapers of the day, and a number of letters for the east. He will take his departure from the amphitheatre on Court street between Race and Elm, at 6 o’clock. P.M.

Tickets to be had at the Amphitheatre on the day of the ascension. A Band of Music will attend.”