Page 166 - Demo

As depicted on this postcard (printed in Italy), P.T. Barnum offered a spectacular act with a horse named Jupiter. In the performance, Madame Noble sat side-saddle atop Jupiter and both were lifted by a balloon. After rising to the top of the arena, they descended amid a shower of fireworks.According to Charlotte, North Carolina%u2019s Evening Chronicle, %u201cJupiter, a beautiful Arabian, is driven into the arena by a young and beautiful woman. There is a balloon to which, instead of a basket, there is attached a platform that is devoid of railings. Horse and rider take position on the platform. Slowly the balloon ascends to the dome of the arena... Pleasure gives way to surprise and then fear as it is realized that should the horse become nervous there is nothing to prevent his taking a step (that) would precipitate himself and his rider to the ground far below.%u201d Jupiter%u2019s training was such that he remained steady during the entire act%u2014despite the loud fireworks surrounding his descent.The image on this card was taken from a 1904 poster which has been reproduced widely. However, the depiction is somewhat misleading. In actuality, Jupiter and Madame Noble were lifted by a system of ropes and pulleys. The balloon was only used to visually enhance the performance.