Color plates from an exquisite book called Les Programmes Illustres, by Ernest Maindron, published in 1897, by Librairie Nilsson-Per Lamm, Paris purchased at auction, and filled with the most unbelievably detailed and remarkable works of art we have seen... granted we are biased and truly moved by works from this period, by truly, these are gems, in remarkable, mint condition, and more than 100 years old. The auction catalog reads: '' ''I often ask myself what they, the curious of the year 2000, will think of us, whom we are cut off from by a century of dreadful events; them, knowing that which we don''t yet know and that we nearly suspect, what will they say of our old frivolity with all that has passed? Won''t they pity us, like we today have pity for the aristocratic society whose ancient prints we refer to with carelessness and levity?'' Thus mused Pierre Veber in his prefacing comments for the Programmes Illustres, a hardcover compendium of some of the most beautiful menus, invitations, business cards and announcements of the Belle Epoque. Little could he have known how off the mark his thoughts were, as today we look back at the virtuosity these posterists displayed with the limited technology of the time.'' (Rennert) Each sheet is 9.25 x 12.5 inches, and the images on the sheet vary - these sheets feature wonderful advertisements - one for the Moulin Rouge, one for a Cabaret Artistique (we can only imagine what that means!), and another which is an invitation for a party called a ''cremaillere'' (which, even though I speak fluent French I cant translate) and which must have been a kind of costume party... looks like a rollicking good time to me! (Check out the naked guy hanging in the tub in the top left side...) PLEASE NOTE: ALL OF OUR POSTERS ARE ORIGINAL, NON REPRODUCTION, VINTAGE PIECES. Status: For Sale Reference#: PIASST Condition: A Year: 1897 Country: France Maker: Maindron Height: 12.5 in. (31.75 cm) Width: 9.5 in. (24.13 cm) Title: 1897 Vintage Print Programme Illustres MOULIN ROUGE, CABARET + NEW YEARS Materials: paper

Art (paintings, prints, frames)
Vintage Posters