Antique art piece. HELP... Can't pin this piece down.

I have searched till exhausted, every way I can. I can't find anything on this piece only what I know and that is it's most defiantly 65 years old, could be even older. It is a solid piece of wood with either resin or varnish over the image and polished. I can't make out if the image is paper painted or? There is also no signature or artist marking on it.

If anyone can tell me ANYTHING, any info would be greatly appreciated!!

 

No idea, other than... reminds me of many a New Mexico balloon festival. Pretty!

 

These wood mounted prints with heavy acrylic coating were very popular in the 70s. While it is certainly possible that it is older, I sincerely doubt it is too much older than this. There were some done in the 50s and 60s but they tended to be more old fashioned/nostalgic than this.

 

Decoupage.
I agree, Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta.
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Yep, That's me.

 

Good glory!
It's settled!
Divine In(ter)FLATION!

 

Thank you. My grandmother got this in 51' at a art show.
THANK YOU ALL FOR THE HELP!!

 

WOW Your awesome!! Love the jacket!

 

'51???!!!
Are you certain of this?

 

For certain between 50 and 60. She got married in 1951 and got this the first year of marriage and that is all she could tell me about it. She wanted to sell it but until now I couldn't find any info. A non-smoking home and great care... this thing looks immaculate so made it harder to pin, least for me.

 

Anything is possible and if you are absolutely sure of the provenance, far be it from me to dispute it. All I can say is that it is atypical for the era.

To me, it is more craft than art. You don't give size but these are usually commercial posters attached to board to give a different presentation than your typical framing.

 

I would say it would be hard to sell unless someone has a connection to one of those balloons.

 

The first free flight of a modern day hot air balloon was by Ed Yost in 1960 so I think it must be somewhat later than that.

Here's a link to information about it.

http://www.nationalballoonmuseum.com/Portals/0/Documents/HallOfFame/HallOfFame2004Yost.pdf
..

 

If you can identify what is on some of those balloons that may help you.

 

Good point - looks like some have logos on them.
.

 

!hanks for all the info guys! ill do a little more searching.

 

The balloon in the middle is very much like the one behind me in my picture...could be the same one though it was only flown once at this event, but it wasn't a custom balloon design so...

 

OMG, THANK YOU! I'm a Iowan, awesome to read this article. Hmm It would be pretty neat if it should so happen to be one of the first flights... I'd keep it myself. The locations mentioned in the article are not from me. On one balloon I can make out a code of, N4057P the rest are unmarked or half the code. 1949 was his first flight so, yep sure 'nuff couldn't be any earlier.

 

N4057P
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http://www.airport-data.com/aircraft/N4057P.html
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1980 Balloon Works FIREFLY 7
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This is when I was flying.

 

Aircraft
Registration Number: N4057P
Mode S (ICAO24) Code: A4C28F
Certification Class: Standard
Certification Issued: 1991-05-07
Air Worthiness Test: 1980-06-02
Last Action Taken: 1994-11-09
Current Status: Undel Tri
Owner
Registration Type: Individual
Address: Quincy, CA 95971
United States
Region: Western-Pacific