Fine Natural Black Granite
Etched Plaque, 
A Commemoration of
1934 Flight of 
Balloon Explorer I 

I have absolutely no idea who made this impressive
plaque commemorating the historic 1934 flight of the
three million cubic foot Explorer I balloon.

The image, however, is something I do know.

This image is from a painting entitled "Balloonists struggle 
to escape a doomed gondola" by the legendary
freelance illustrator, Tom Lovell (February 5, 1909 – June 29, 1997).

Lovell had an extreme attention for detail and rarely completed 
more than a dozen major oil paintings a year. He was a freelance 
illustrator for many well-known magazines including the 
Saturday Evening Post and became known as a pulp illustrator. 
As pulp declined, he moved to “slick” publications like Redbook, Life, 
Collier’s, McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal, and National Geographic. 
During WWII, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve, illustrating 
Leatherneck and Marine Corps Gazette, and creating large paintings on 
Marine Corps history now held at Marine Corps headquarters.
His work depicting life in the old west earned him his reputation of 
Dean of Western Art and allowed him to win just about every major 
Western Art prize that exists. He was voted into the Society of Illustrators 
in 1974 and was chosen to receive two Gold Medals.

This illustration was also used as the cover on the 75th anniversary issue 
of National Geographic magazine - January 1963 (see photo).
BUT, I have never seen another plaque like this one.
Again, I cannot find another one of these whether for sale or
just documented.

Photos do not do it justice!!!!!!
Snap up this unique item up before someone else does!

Scroll down to read about this important mission!

approx. 9-7/8" tall x 7-1/8" wide x 3/8" thick
weighs 2 lbs. 12 oz.

Overview of the Explorer I Mission 
commemorated by this plaque '
(AI written from 5 sources):

Explorer I Balloon Flight — July 28, 1934
On July 28, 1934, the United States launched the Explorer I balloon, 
a high-altitude, hydrogen-filled craft designed to carry 
three passengers into the stratosphere. The mission was a joint 
effort between the National Geographic Society and the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Crew and Mission
The flight crew consisted of:
Major William E. Kepner – flight commander
Captain Albert W. Stevens – scientific observer
Captain Orvil A. Anderson – pilot
All three pilots received the Distinguished Flying Cross 
for their participation in this flight.

They launched from a specially prepared “natural bowl” 
site near Rapid City, South Dakota, known as the Stratobowl, 
chosen for its natural protection from wind and ideal launch geometry.

Launch and Ascent
The balloon, a 3-million-cubic-foot hydrogen-filled envelope, 
lifted off at 5:45 a.m. (some sources note 6:45 a.m. for radio broadcast time). 
The ascent was watched by thousands, with the event broadcast live 
on radio and attended by about 30,000 spectators.

Altitude and Crisis
After about seven hours, the balloon reached 60,613 feet. At this height, 
tears appeared in the hydrogen gas bag, causing rapid gas loss. 
The crew decided to descend. As the balloon dropped, it encountered 
strong winds and vertical speed, leading to a burst at around 3,000 feet.

Descent and Rescue
The gondola plunged toward the ground, but the crew parachuted to safety. 
Accounts differ slightly on whether the parachute was deployed 
before or after the hydrogen explosion, but all three survived uninjured. 
Kepner bailed out at barely 500 feet in one account, while others note 
they escaped before the explosion.

Significance
Although the flight missed the world altitude record by about 624 feet, 
it was a major milestone in high-altitude balloon science. 
The mission tested navigation instruments and gathered valuable 
data on atmospheric conditions. All three crew members later 
received the Distinguished Flying Cross for their bravery.

The Explorer I flight is remembered as both a technical achievement and 
a daring survival story, paving the way for later high-altitude scientific 
missions like Explorer II in 1935.
Explorer II set the world altitude record Explorer I failed to achieve.

Nicer than pictures show! 
(I'm not a professional photographer!)
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