50498.
Rope Ascension over Niagara River.
Blondin-WW
The most famous of Niagara’s daredevils was Jean Francois Gravelot; better know as “The Great Blondin”. He was born February 28th 1824 in St. Omer, Pas de Calais in Northern France.
Blondin first came to Niagara in early 1858 and instantly became obsessed with crossing the Niagara River on a tightrope. On June 30 1859, Blondin successfully walked across the river on a tight rope. During the summer of 1859, he completed eight additional crossings. His most difficult crossing occurred on August 14 when he carried his manager Harry Colcord on his back.
For the crossing, Blondin used a 335 metre long with an 8 centimetre diameter manila rope. The rope stretched from the current site of Prospect Park in Niagara Falls, New York to the current site of Oakes Garden in Niagara Falls, Ontario. He began on the American side and completed his crossing in 20 minutes. Blondin used a 40 pound, 9 metre long balancing pole.
During the summer of 1860, Blondin returned to Niagara for a second successful year of tight rope walking across the Niagara River for hundreds of thousands of sightseers. One of his acts included pushing a wheelbarrow along as he crossed. On September 8th 1860, Blondin completed his final tight rope crossing of the Niagara River. Others followed in the absence of Blondin but none was more daring or famous.
A fine article on Blondin can be found in the Smithsonian Magazine.
50500.
Multiple carte of Blondin images.
50501.
Blondin.
50502.
Blondin with a man on his back.
50503.
Signed “J.F. Blondin.” Actual signature of Jean François Gravelet Blondin.
50504.
Blondin.
50506.
Blondin.
50507.
Blondin with his rope.
50508.
Blondin.
50510.
Sons of Charles Blondin, tightrope walker. Le Petite Blondins. (D)
50511.
Mme. Blondin. (D)
50546.
Blondin, Hero of Niagara, 1859 Medal.
50547.
A piece of Blondin’s cable.
50549.
Mons. Blondin and Harry Colcord, the man he carried across the gorge on his back, August 17, 1859. This photo taken at Battery elevator, at rapids, on or about August 6, 1888, when Blondin revisited Niagara. Colcord was from Chicago and was Blondin’s manager. A note on verso indicates that there is some question as to whether or not the man with Blondin is actually Colcord.
50550.
Mons. Blondin.
50583.
Business card for Blondin. The Hero Chevalier Blondin of Niagara.
50584.
Satiric card. Monsieur et Mademoiselle Blondin.
50592.
Niagara Falls & Blondin. A Guide & Souvenir. With a new Series of Views from Photographs taken [by Evans] on the Spot to which is added a Complete Guide in both French and Spanish Published by Sage Sons & Co., Arcade Building, Buffalo, N.Y. The twelve lithos are included but the Guide Book is not.
50593.
No. 1. Bridge & Rapids above the Falls.
No. 2. Niagara Suspension Bridge.
50594.
No. 3. Terrapin Tower & Horse Shoe Fall.
No. 4. Table Rock & Horse Shoe Fall.
50595.
No. 5. View of the Entire Falls, from Victoria Point.
No. 6. American Falls & Steamer Maid of the Mist.
50596.
No. 7. Blondin’s Ascension before the Prince of Wales.
No. 8. View of the Rapids, Opposite the Cataract House.
50597.
No. 9. Clifton House & Canada Side from Prospect Point.
No. 10. Whirlpool & River.
50598.
No. 11. Blondin’s Rope & Suspension Bridge.
No. 12. Porter’s Lodge. Brock’s Monument.