4 - [AEROSPACE] ESNAULT-PELTERIE, Robert. Rocket Exploration of the Upper Atmosphere. And the Possibility of Interplanetary Travel. [With] Astronautics.

[AEROSPACE] ESNAULT-PELTERIE, Robert. Rocket Exploration of the Upper Atmosphere. And the Possibility of Interplanetary Travel. [With] Astronautics. A rare set, in first editions, by a pioneer of aeronautics—the first to move space travel from the realm of science fiction to that of serious science. Paris, Société Astronomique de France, 1928. In-8 (254 x 168 mm), blue half-maroquin, ribbed spine. VII and 96 pp. First edition of this lecture delivered at the Société Astronomique de France on June 8, 1927. This is the first work by one of the earliest theorists of astronautics. As early as 1907, Esnault-Pelterie studied the possibility of interplanetary travel using jet engines and nesting rockets. “First known as a pioneer of aviation, he is the inventor of the radial engine and the control stick [...]In 1930, he published *Astronautique*, a compendium of the knowledge of the time on space propulsion and navigation [...] we can say today that astronautics stems from the theoretical work of Obert and Esnault-Pelterie (In French in the text, 362). Included are two other copies of the same edition: an uncut paperback copy and a copy in the original Gauthier-Villars publisher’s binding (both books have worn covers). Also included are: - *L'Astronautique*. Paris, La Hure, 1930. Large 8vo, paperback, red cover. 248 pp. and 10 fold-out plates. First edition. - *L'Astronautique - Complément*. Paris, Société des Ingénieurs Civils de France (Printed by Lahure), 1935. Large 8vo, paperback, red cover. 93 pp., appendices, and 1 fold-out plate. First edition following his presentation on May 25, 1934. A rare collection that traces the publishing history of these seminal works in aerospace.