An original 1961 Air France travel poster showing the Seine winding past Notre-Dame and the historic heart of Paris. A sequence of bridges leads through the composition, surrounded by colourful buildings, green trees and small boats. Deep blues, bright reds and touches of yellow turn the city into a lively arrangement of simplified shapes.
Designed by Vernier and printed by Bedos & Cie, Paris, this example comes from an old travel agency collection, where it was stored flat from new.
Reference: 21604
Artist: François Vernier
Provenance: IMP. Bedos & Cie – PARIS — RÉF: 21670 – P/3.61 — PRINTED IN FRANCE
Dimensions: 39 in x 25 in (100 cm x 62 cm)
Vernier, usually catalogued as François Vernier, was an advertising illustrator whose work for Air France is documented around the late 1950s and early 1960s. His Paris poster combines recognisable architecture with bold colours and a compressed, almost map-like perspective. Notre-Dame, the river and its bridges become an inviting overview of the city. Reliable biographical information is limited, so his birth and death dates should be left unspecified.
Air France is the flag carrier of France headquartered in Tremblay-en-France. Air France was formed on 7 October 1933 from a merger of Air Orient, Air Union, Compagnie Générale Aéropostale, Compagnie Internationale de Navigation Aérienne (CIDNA), and Société Générale de Transport Aérien (SGTA).
Because of the age of these posters, there are areas of wear and tear, particularly on the edges. I have done my best to take photos where they are torn or stained. The good news is that when framed, the tears press up well against glass, and edges can be hidden by mats. Any wear picked up from years are part of the vintage charm.
When framed these colourful and detailed posters, with vibrant colours can become a centre piece for any room, to remind us of a simpler time.
These posters are sent as unframed. They will be delivered in a cardboard tube for protection.
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