Poster Auction International – Rare Posters
July 12
26 W 17th St, New York, NY 10011
www.posterauctions.com
info@posterauctions.com
TEL: 212.787.4000
FAX: 212.604.9175
Viewing: Daily Thru July 11

NEW YORK CITY — The 87th rare posters auction from Poster Auctions International on Tuesday, July 12, features rare and iconic images from a century of poster design. The collection includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern and contemporary lithographs, decorative panels and maquettes.

All 520 lots are currently on view to the public until July 11. The auction will be held live in PAI’s gallery at 11 am Eastern time.

The auction will begin with 50 historic designs for automobiles, starting with O’Galop’s 1898 Le Pneu Michelin / Nunc est bibendum, which introduced the beloved Michelin man to the world ($6/8,000). Further notable images include Leopoldo Metlicovitz’s powerful 1907 Mostra dei Ciclo e dell’Automobile / Milano ($25/30,000), Burkhard Mangold’s striking 1907 Safir ($14/17,000), Ludwig Hohlwein’s forceful circa 1914 Mercedes ($30/40,000), Marcello Dudovich’s rare circa 1925 Michelin ($17/20,000) and Geo Ham’s sunny Monaco Grand Prix 1934 ($17/20,000).

Next, 20 bicycle posters will be auctioned. Important works include Edward Penfield’s circa 1896 Ride a Sterns and Be Content ($10/12,000), the anonymously created circa 1895 Cycles Gladiator ($30/40,000) and Henri Thiriet’s 1897 Omega ($4/5,000).

Aviation buffs will enjoy the collection of 35 images of flight, including one of the earliest “flying machine” box kites, as seen in Charles Hubbard Wright’s 1897 The May Century ($1,2/1,500). Further important images include Ernest Montaut’s 1909 Première Exposition Locomotion Aérienne / Grand Palais ($5/6,000), Heinrich H. Schütz’s 1913 Konstanz / Bondensee-Wasserflug ($3/4,000) and the anonymous circa 1913 Aero Exhibition / Olympia ($4/5,000); Modern designs for Air France, TWA and Pan Am will also be on offer.

A total of 22 provocative designs for war and propaganda will also be up for bidding. Highlights include Howard Chandler Christy’s 1918 Gee!! I Wish I Were a Man ($2/2,500), his 1915 If You Want to Fight! / Join the Marines ($1,7/2,000) and his 1917 I Want You For the Navy ($1,2/1,500). Also on offer are James Montgomery Flagg’s 1918 Our Regular Divisions ($1,4/1,700) and his rare 1945 Coming Right Up! ($1,7/2,000), as well as Frederick Henri Kay Henrion’s 1944 United ($2/2,500).

Collectors of works from the Art Nouveau era will have hundreds of designs to choose from. These include the anonymous 1906 Buffalo Bill’s Wild West / I Am Coming ($8/10,000); Pierre Bonnard’s 1891 France-Champagne ($25/30,000); Marcello Dudovich’s 1910 Esposizione Universale di Bruxelles ($5/6,000); Georges de Feure’s 1897 Le Journal des Ventes, hand-signed and before letters ($8/10,000); Adolfo Hohenstein’s circa 1905 Fiammiferi Senza Fosforo, in the smaller format ($2,5/3,000); Ludwig Hohlwein’s 1908 Confection Kehl / PKZ ($20/25,000); Julius Klinger’s 1912 Karikaturisten-Ball ($6/8,000); Privat Livemont’s 1896 Absinthe Robette ($20/25,000); and Jean M. Peské’s 1898 L’Estampe et l’Affiche ($8/10,000).

Of course, no Art Nouveau collection is complete without these iconic artists: Jules Chéret, Alphonse Mucha and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. Some of the earliest and rarest works by Chéret will be auctioned, including the 1880 Folies-Bergère / Miss Lala ($1,2/1,500) and his 1881 Lactéoline ($1,7/2,000). Two versions of his 1891 Librairie Ed. Sagot / Affiches-Estampes will be offered: the two-sheet poster with complete text ($5/6,000) and the rare, before letters version ($4/5,000). Three original paintings will also be on offer (ranging from $14,000 to $20,000).

From Mucha, the great master of the Belle Époque, 29 of his top triumphs will be auctioned, including the rare 1897 Fox-Land Jamaica Rum — one of only two known copies ($80/100,000). Several of his most rapturous decorative panel sets will be available: the 1902 Precious Stones ($170/200,000), The Arts from 1898 ($45/55,000) and The Stars, 1902 ($100/120,000). His most iconic posters are also included: the 1896 La Dame aux Camelias ($30/35,000), the 1896 Salon des Cent / XXme Exposition ($17/20,000), the 1896 Job ($20/25,000) and his 1898 Waverley Cycles ($17/20,000).

Toulouse-Lautrec will have an impressive selection of posters and prints at auction. These include the 1896 Salon des Cent in its rarest state: before letters, hand signed and with the red monogram stamp ($60/70,000); the only known copy of a trial proof of his 1895 May Belfort ($40/50,000); the 1892 Ambassadeurs / Aristide Bruant ($70/90,000); 1894 Eldorado / Aristide Bruant ($80/100,000); the 1896 L’Artisan Moderne ($30/35,000); and the 1899 Jane Avril in its rarest state: from an edition of 25 copies, hand signed and including the snake remarque ($100/120,000).

For fans of the Art Deco era, works are plentiful. Jean A. Mercier’s 1927 design for the film 6½ x 11 is a tour de force ($20/25,000); Emil Cardinaux’s 1920 Palace Hotel / St. Moritz is a delight ($10/12,000) and A. M. Cassandre’s rare 1931 Thomson will also be up for grabs ($20/25,000).

The gallery is at 26 West 17th Street. For more information, www.posterauctions.com or 212-787-4000.

FEATURED COLLECTIONS: Bicycles, Automobiles, Aviation, War & Propaganda, Film, Die 6, Circus & Wild West, Paris 1924 Olympics, Posters on Posters. PRINCIPAL ARTISTS: Cappiello, Chéret, Hohlwein, Livemont, Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec.
An East Coast Tonic. By Jean Droit. Est: $5,000-$6,000.
THE CATALOGUE: The 225-page catalogue is now available for $40. BID ONLINE, BY PHONE, OR LIVE IN PERSON: To view lots, register to bid, or order a catalogue, please visit: www.posterauctions.com
Download our app at auctions.posterauctions.com. Now accepting consignments for our November sale. Deadline: August 15.
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC
MUCHA
METLICOVITZ
COLIN
BUFFALO BILL
CAPPIELLO