Poster Auctions International
March 20, 2022
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 March 19

NEW YORK CITY — The 86th Rare Posters Auction from Poster Auctions International (PAI) on Sunday, March 20, features rare and iconic images from a century of poster design. The collection includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern and contemporary works covering a variety of topics and styles.
All 425 lots are on view to the public through March 19. The auction will be conducted live in PAI’s gallery at 26 West 17th Street as well as online at www.posterauctions.com, beginning promptly at 11 am EDT.

The auction will begin with 29 designs for bicycles. Highlights include Achille Butteri’s circa 1898 Cycles Perfecta ($7/9,000), Pal’s circa 1899 Phébus ($3/4,000), H. Gray’s circa 1900 Cycles “Brillant” ($2,5/3,000), Marcello Dudovich’s 1934 Cicli Dei ($6/7,000) and a rare anonymous design from circa 1920 promoting Harry D. Elkes and Major Taylor for Iver Johnson Racer ($2/2,500).

Next, posters for automobiles and aviation will be offered. The designs for cars range from the early Huile Rigal by Noël Dorville ($3/4,000) to two promotions for the Monaco Grand Prix of 1930 and 1932 by Robert Falcucci ($25/30,000 and $20/25,000). Aviation buffs will delight in the 15 lots available, including Charles Léonce Brossé’s classic 1910 Meeting d’Aviation/Nice ($10/12,000), Harold McCready’s 1929 Imperial Airways ($4/5,000), W.E.C. Book’s 1935 Royal Air Force/Hendon ($4/5,000) and designs for TWA, Piedmont and more.

A total of 22 war and propaganda posters will be offered, including Howard Chandler Christy’s 1917 I Want You for the Navy ($1,2/1,500), James Montgomery Flagg’s never-before-seen circa 1917 Some Backing / The Empire State ($1,4/1,700), a variety of international World War II designs and a selection of images from Israel.

Next, 24 American literary posters include early designs for Lippincott’s, Harper’s, The Century and Scribner’s helped establish the American poster aesthetic. The posters by Will Carqueville, Joseph J. Gould Jr, Edward Penfield, William H. Bradley, George Wharton Edwards and Howard Chandler Christy are estimated at $1/2,500.

This auction features several notable artist collections. From Leonetto Cappiello — the “father of modern advertising” — 20 lithographs and maquettes will be up for bidding. Important works include his 1903 Absinthe Gempp Pernod ($6/7,000), the 1906 Zeste ($8/10,000), a 1912 maquette for Ramos Pinto / Vinho do Porto ($12/15,000), the rare 1912 Pineral ($8/10,000), the dramatic 1921 Cordial Campari ($17/20,000), the 1922 maquette for “VOV” ($14/17,000) and his joyous 1927 Nice ($7/9,000).

The champion posterist of Jazz Age Paris, Paul Colin, will have some of his most important works at auction. These include his iconic and rare 1927 Bal Nègre ($70/90,000), the 1947 Katherine Dunham ($4/5,000), his 1930 Musée d’Ethnographie ($7/9,000) and a unique circa 1970 menu design, Tabarin ($4/5,000).

A fellow virtuoso of the Art Deco era, A.M. Cassandre will have eight of his most powerful designs available, including the 1927 Nord Express ($20/25,000), the 1928 Statendam ($10/12,000), the 1935 Normandie ($10/12,000), the 1928 The Continent via Harwich ($17/20,000) and his 1929 La Route Bleue ($20/25,000).

Seminal works from Charles Loupot will also be auctioned, including two for St Raphaël: his very first poster for the brand of bitters, St Raphaël, from 1937 ($25/30,000), and his second design from 1938, St Raphaël / Quinquina — the only known copy of this eight-sheet, large format design ($35/45,000). An original 1923 maquette, Les Chaussures Cecil, will also be offered ($8/10,000).

Further Art Deco highlights include Francis Bernard’s Nicolas ($3/4,000), Karl Bickel’s 1928 PKZ / So Kleidet ($4/5,000), Roger Broders’ 1927 Le Tour du Mt Blanc ($4/5,000) and his 1927 Grasse ($3,5/4,500).

From Jules Chéret, 16 lithographs and paintings on offer include his 1890 Théâtrophone ($2,5/3,000), The Arts from 1891 ($20/25,000) and 1893 Folies-Bergère/La Loïe Fuller ($4/5,000).

Collectors of works by Alphonse Mucha will be delighted with the 37 offerings, which include revered posters, original artwork, and rare books. Among the posters available are the larger and smaller format versions of his 1896 Lorenzaccio ($12/15,000 and $4,5/5,500); his 1898 Medée ($20/25,000); a rare variant of his 1899 Salon des Cent / XXme Exposition, printed in gold ink in an edition of 25 copies ($20/25,000); The Seasons from 1896 ($40/50,000); and two rare Champenois Calendar designs from circa 1898 (each $17/20,000).

For another titan of the Belle Époque, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 31 of his rarest and most career-defining works will up for bidding. The design that launched his poster career, the 1891 Moulin Rouge / La Goulue is included ($230/250,000). Further posters include his 1896 the Ault & Wiborg Co. ($30/40,000); the 1896 The Chap Book ($40/50,000); and the 1896 Salon des Cent, one of 50 impressions, before letters, and hand-signed ($35/45,000). An original 1892 drawing, La Goulue, will also be available ($100/120,000).

For information, 212-787-4000 or www.posterauctions.com.

FEATURED COLLECTIONS: Bicycles, Automobiles, Aviation, War & Propaganda, American Literary Posters. PRINCIPAL ARTISTS: Cappiello, Cassandre, Chéret, Colin, Hohlwein, Livemont, Loupot, Mucha, Toulouse-Lautrec. THE CATALOGUE: The 220-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 July sale. Deadline: April 22.
St. Raphaël / Quinquina. 1938. By Charles Loupot. Only known copy of 8-sheet poster. Est: $35,000-$45,000.
CASSANDRE
MUCHA
STEINLEN
FALCUCCI
TOULOUSE-LAUTREC
COLIN