According to Charles Evans'
War of the Aeronauts, the early Union balloons (
Enterprise and
Union) were in "a vague shade of brown resulting from the staining absorbed during the varnishing process" (p. 121f). The newer balloons got a more patriotic decoration - one reason was to keep Union troops from firing on them.
The
Constitution and
Washington had large portraits of George Washington on their envelops, the
Union was redecorated with a huge American Eagle on one side and stars and stripes and "other devices of the Professor's fertile fancy" on the other - Lowe certainly was an old showman
Some of the wicker baskets were also painted in a bright blue and dotted with stars - something I tried but again my painting was not up to it...
I really sound like a balloon nerd now
Hope I could help!