16 
When, in 1863, the American Journal of Photography reviewed 
Nadar's work, it optimistically observed: 
"As the rotary and onward movements of the balloon cannot be 
stopped, to get rid of the objectionable defect, the camera 
apparatus must be made to open and close not only with the 
utmost rapidity, but also without vibration, sudden jerk, 
or shake. The plates, in short, cannot be exposed too rapidly, 
too shortly, nor too quietly. These are points the mechanicians 
will soon overcome, and hundreds of adventurous photographers 
will soon, no doubt, follow their active pioneer, and bring 
down scenes innumerable from cloudland." 
Interest in balloon reconnaissance was not confined to France. 
America's honor roll of balloon photographers is topped by J. W. Black 
of Boston (probably the original "Boston Blackie"). On October 13, 
1860, Black, accompanied by the noted Providence, Rhode Island, 
aerialist, Prof. Sam King, who served as navigator, ascended to 
1,200 feet in the "Queen of the Air", and successfully photographed 
14 
parts of the city of Boston on wet collodian plates. 
King's own account, which appeared in the Boston Herald on 16 Octo 
ber 1860, was quoted under the banner headline: 
"The Late Balloon-Photo Experiment: Mr. King of well known firm 
of King & Allen aeronauts, furnished this account: