William J. Coombs Limited Edition Lithograph "Balloons Aloft", Signed, Numbered 131/200 1986/Coombs Ballooning Lithograph hotsell Signed Numbered

Listed above is a limited edition lithograph by the very talented artist, William J. Coombs, entitled "Balloons Aloft", signed by the artist, and numbered 131/200 and issued in 1986. Ballooning was a favorite subject for William, and toward the end of his life he devoted many hours to recreating this event in numerous paintings. The Ballooning Event painted here took place near Flemington, New Jersey. Thousands of people would gather in the large field to watch hundreds of hot air balloons lift from the ground to travel miles over fields and farms, decorating the sky with vibrant colors and shapes. The scene painted here would have been typical of this event: beautiful floating hot air balloons floating over old cars and barns for as far as the eye could see. This wonderful depiction measures 11 inches wide by 8.5 inches high with borders. The image, itself, measures 9.75 inches wide by 7.5 inches high, which includes all signage.
NOTE: I purchased this lithograph at an auction of the artist's work in 1990. At the time of purchase, some yellowing had already occurred on the back of the lithograph from being exposed to air. I have shown this yellowing in photo #3. The front of the litho is clean and clear with only minor yellowing on the edges. This does not detract from the lithograph, itself, and will be invisible after matting and framing. As soon as I purchased this piece, I hotsell wrapped it in acid free tissue and stored it in a temperature controlled environment, where it has remained, so no further yellowing has taken place. It is unframed, which allows you to choose the mat and frame that best enhances your environment.
This is a wonderful piece by a gifted artist who, sadly, is no longer among us.

Reproduced from the Artists Association of Nantucket is the following biography of William J. Coombs (1946-2007). "Originally from New Hampshire, William Coombs, a full-time, professional artist known for his work in oils, watercolors, drawings and printmaking, began his formal training at the University of Washington concurrently with a scholarship to the Charles and Emma Frye Museum School in Seattle. He continued his advanced studies in New York City at the School of Visual Arts, the Art Students League and the National Academy of Design. Over the past fifty years preceding his death in 2007, William Coombs's paintings have been exhibited nationally and internationally and have been awarded over a hundred prizes. Mr. Coombs' paintings and lithographs are included in numerous public and private collections in the U.S. and throughout the world. For thirty years, his artwork has been devoted to and deeply involved with his love of Hot Air Ballooning. His paintings and lithographs of Hot Air Balloons gently soaring over the New Jersey landscape depict a unique view of serenity and tranquility combined with a strong sense of design and color, and have become much sought after by many collectors, establishing Mr. Coombs as the foremost Hot Air Balloon Artist. He was the Official Artist of the New Jersey Festival of Ballooning, having been commissioned to paint the 1985, '86, '87, '96, '97 and 2001 Festival Posters.