Lourdes in Southwestern France was the site of Ste. Bernadette’s visions in 1859. Since then the small town has become a pilgrimage site for Roman Catholics with over 60 miraculous cures attributed. A photo image poster for the late 60’s. Linen mounted with abrasions in the image. See photo.
All posts by Mike Gotwalt
Nice
Nice and the French Riviera have been great tourist locales since the railroads first took passengers from Paris to Nice in the 1880’s. This poster from the late 60’s shows the famous beach and promenade. Linen mounted with abrasions. See photo.
Exposition Russe
In the Belle Epoque, when lands far away were mysterious and exotic, promoters would stage great shows and exhibitions that featured the culture and excitement of these magical lands. Exposition Russe was such an event that featured horses and Cossacks dashing about and doing all things Russian. The Champ de Mars is the large green space between the Eiffel Tower and the Ecole Militaire.
Maîtres de L’Affiche, PL 9
Poster collecting has always been a passion. In 1895, when the poster as an art form was in its infancy, Jules Cheret created a subscription series, Maîtres de L’Affiche (Masters of the Poster) based on famous posters of the time. Issued in a small 11” x 15” format, subscribers would receive four posters every month for a year. Cheret, a famous poster artist in his own right, included one of his posters in each monthly packet of four. Other famous artists in the group included Toulouse Lautrec, Steinlen and Mucha. The series lasted for five years and 256 Maîtres were created (special posters were issued at year’s end). Today, most all of the Maîtres remain, .and are highly collectible. This is Maîtres Plate 9 by Cheret, issued in 1895. Framed
Favor
From 1919 until 1959, the Williams Brothers created the Favor brand of two wheeled vehicles in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Little known by all but a few avid collectors today, Favor bicycles, motor bikes and motorcycles were popular in France between the wars. Even more popular today are the series of Favor posters produced to advertise the company’s products. This stunning oversized poster shows all three of the Favor ‘bikes’.
Ireland – Pan Am
Edward McKnight Kauffer was one of the great mid century artists who made his name on both sides of the Atlantic. Born in Montana he moved to Europe where in the 20’s and 30’s he was a stalwart of Frank Pick’s legendary team working for London Transport and the London Underground. He returned to America in 1940 and began work with Pan-Am and American Airlines which continued until his death in 1954. Kauffer and David Klein are the most collectible of American poster artists. This poster from 1953 is one of the last he created.
Israel – TWA
One of 59 posters that David Klein designed for TWA, this one promoting routes from USA to Israel features a stylized menorah. David Klein was one of the original mad men of the New York advertising scene creating campaigns for TWA, Cunard and AMTRAK.
Holland
In the aftermath of World War II the countries of Europe struggled to rebuild and re-establish themselves as tourist destinations. Holland was one of those countries and this poster from the early 1950’s conveys that message. The cheerful bird in front of a welcoming box with idyllic scenery conveys the message that Holland was once again open for business.