a small circus (or fair) with yellow wagons / caravans, note canvas tent behind the wagons, several small children hold floating ballons on strings in the foreground, near a bridge in the city center, beautiful lamps post on the bridge, church tower in the background, oil on board, framed, Continental / European, early 20th century
Some interesting facts:
Helium balloons for children did not realistically exist in early 20th-century Europe, because helium was an incredibly rare, expensive, and strategically restricted commodity mostly controlled by the United States.
Instead, the floating novelty balloons sold to European children at fairs and markets during this era were filled with highly flammable hydrogen or coal gas, which were much cheaper and readily available.
The Price of the Balloon Itself:
While the lifting gas wasn't helium, the rubber balloon shells themselves became quite affordable during the early 20th century. Following the advent of mass-production techniques in the early 1900s, rubber balloons shifted from being expensive scientific curiosities to common, inexpensive treats for middle- and working-class children at festivals.
MEASUREMENTS:
Frame: 16.5" H x 18.5" W x 0.5" D
Image: 10" H x 12" W
