Albumen stereoview photograph showing a tethered balloon identified as T. Lowe’s balloon “The United States,” floating over a built landscape identified on the mount as “N. Y. City & Vicinity.” Published by American Scenery, circa 1860s.

Thaddeus S. C. Lowe was a prominent American aeronaut who operated observation balloons during the Civil War and later conducted commercial ascensions and exhibitions. The image shows the balloon suspended above low buildings with figures visible in the foreground.

Yellow mount with American Scenery imprint and printed title “N. Y. City & Vicinity.” The reverse bears an early pencil inscription identifying the balloon as “T. Lowe Balloon ‘the United States,’ a small commercial balloon circa 1864–67 corner 6th Ave and 59th St., N.Y., N.Y.”