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Michigan State Balloon Championship

Item Type: Poster

Year: c.1983 - 43 years old

Artist: Bruce Kettelkamp

Size: 18.0" x 24.0" (46cm x 61cm)

Condition: Good to Very Good

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Condition Details


Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Scattered small background scuffs. Creasing in center of upper border. Blemish to right of top right balloon. Light creasing along bottom center border. Light border wear. Small repaired border tears in lower and near upper right border. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request. Please use zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition.

Description

This 1983 commemorative poster celebrates the inaugural Michigan State Balloon Championship in Leonard, Michigan, presented by The Detroit News and Buick Motor Division. Designed by Bruce Kettelkamp, it transforms the spectacle of a balloon launch into a tightly ordered graphic composition: twenty patterned balloons rise against a deep black background, connected by delicate ropework and anchored by crisp gold and white lettering.

The event arrived during a particularly significant year in aviation history. In 1983, the United States officially observed the Bicentennial of Air and Space Flight, marking 200 years since the Montgolfier brothers’ balloon carried Jean François Pilâtre de Rozier and the Marquis d’Arlandes on the first free, human carrying flight over Paris on November 21, 1783. Their flight opened the age of human aviation, more than a century before powered airplanes took to the sky. By the twentieth century, ballooning had evolved from scientific marvel to public spectacle, with competitions and festivals bringing the romance of flight into communities across the country.

Kettelkamp’s design connects that history to the celebratory atmosphere of an American balloon festival. Each balloon is treated almost like a heraldic emblem, distinct in pattern yet unified in formation, capturing both the individuality of competing aircraft and the pageantry of a mass ascent. A vibrant piece of Michigan event history, aviation ephemera, and early 1980s graphic design.

Size: 24.0" x 18.0"

Artist: Bruce Kettelkamp

Condition: Good to Very Good, Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Scattered small background scuffs. Creasing in center of upper border. Blemish to right of top right balloon. Light creasing along bottom center border. Light border wear. Small repaired border tears in lower and near upper right border. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.

Condition Details

Condition - Good to Very Good

Age-appropriate wear, fading and toning. Scattered small background scuffs. Creasing in center of upper border. Blemish to right of top right balloon. Light creasing along bottom center border. Light border wear. Small repaired border tears in lower and near upper right border. Please use the photo zoom feature to get a better understanding of overall condition. *Additional photos available upon request.

Grading System

We us a widely recognized 6 scale system to grade our posters.

  • MINT - A poster in mint condition looks like it just came off of the press. It will have no blemishes or defects of any kind. It can be folded or rolled, depending on the original packing method (most movie posters were sent folded).
  • NEAR MINT - A poster in near mint condition may have minor imperfections in the border only. The artwork is in excellent condition with no blemishes whatsoever.
  • VERY GOOD - A poster in very good condition may have blemishes in the border and up to approximately one inch of the poster's artwork. There may be small tears in the artwork along the fold lines only. It may also have minor fading. In general, a poster in very good condition may show some wear and often will project a subtle classic vintage vibe without detracting from the artwork.
  • GOOD - A poster in good condition may have tears or small holes that measure no larger than a quarter on the outer edges of the poster's artwork. Pieces of the border may be torn or missing or have holes; there may be mild bleed-through in the outer area of the artwork; there may be mild fading. In general, a poster in good condition will have minor blemishes around the border and into the outer edges of the artwork. The major area of the artwork will be clear of any blemishes. Some people actually prefer this type of poster, which definitely shows some age and character.
  • FAIR - A poster in fair condition may have major blemishes that directly affect the artwork of the poster. The poster is recognizable and the artwork is primarily intact. A poster in fair condition can benefit from professional restoration.
  • POOR - Posters in poor condition will have serious blemishes or tears or in such poor shape that even the slightest handling might add to the damage. In many cases, a poster in this condition should be professionally restored.
Shipping

All items are carefully hand-packed and shipped in a sturdy tube within 3 business days of payment unless otherwise indicated. Some items which were previously folded or not suitable for rolling will be sent in a flat pack. Please note that an adult signature may be required upon delivery, so we are unable to ship to PO boxes.

Express Shipping: An optional Express Shipping (estimated 2–3 business days) upgrade is available at checkout for domestic U.S. orders.

Unless otherwise noted in the product description or a special offer, shipping rates are as follows:

Posters

  • Domestic shipping- USA: $20 (FREE USA shipping over $125)
  • Canada: $40
  • Europe: $60 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $70
  • Israel: $60

Antique Prints, Cover Art & Illustrations

  • Domestic Shipping- USA: $15 (FREE USA shipping over $125)
  • Canada: $30
  • Europe: $40 USD
  • Australia/New Zealand/Japan/Singapore: $50
  • Israel: $50

NOTE for International Shipments: Shipping rates do not include international taxes or duties which may be charged by your country's border customs control agency. 

Returns

Our Guarantee

All of our posters are guaranteed to be authentic and as described in the product description to the best of our knowledge and belief, and in good faith. Quite simply, if you are not satisfied with your purchase for any reason, simply contact us within 14 days of receipt and we'll gladly accept your return, providing the item is in the same condition as it was sent.

Returns

Our policy lasts 14 days. If 14 days have gone by since your purchase, unfortunately, we can’t offer you a refund or exchange.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it. It must also be sent in the original packaging.

There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable). Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error. Any item that is returned more than 14 days after delivery may also be ineligible.

Once your return is received and inspected, we will send you an email to notify you that we have received your returned item. Your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within two business days. Original shipping costs are not refundable. 

Shipping

To return your product, you should mail your product to:

Authentic Vintage Posters- RETURNS
7514 Girard Ave
STE 1615
La Jolla, CA 92037

You will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable.

If you are returning an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service and purchasing shipping insurance. We can't guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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