67

A. M. CASSANDRE (ADOLPHE MOURON, 1901-1968). ÉTOILE DU NORD. 1927. 41x29 inches, 105x75 cm. Hachard & Cie., Paris.

A. M. CASSANDRE (ADOLPHE MOURON, 1901-1968) ÉTOILE DU NORD. 1927.
41 1/2x29 1/2 inches, 105 1/2x75 cm. Hachard & Cie., Paris.
Condition A-: minior repaired tears and restoration at edges; restoration along horizontal fold.
L'Etoile du Nord (The North Star) was an absolute revolution in advertising when it first appeared in 1927. Although advertising a Pullman train, it was startlingly new to have a travel poster that depicted no landscape, no destination, and no train. The pure and powerful image is a tribute to the dramatic use of perspective, with the train represented metaphorically by the star dancing on the horizon where many rails converge in the distance. To keep the image as clean and unobstructed as possible, Cassandre corrals the typography at the very bottom of the composition and then organizes it in a neat and structured way, like a frame, around the border. Here he also develops one of his signature design elements: viewing an object from a low angle to make it seem larger than life and more impressive, a technique he perfected in his 1935 poster for the Normandie. Through his association with Maurice Moyrand, who was the agent for the printer L. Danel, (and with whom he would form the Alliance Graphique in 1930), Cassandre was commissioned to create two posters for the Chemins de fer du Nord in 1927. Mouron / Cassandre pl. 11, Weill / Cassandre pl. 11, Suntory 48, p. 72, Reina Sophia p. 161, Modern Poster p. 151, Brockmann p. 80, Weill 339.

  • Condition: All items are offered for sale subject to Swann Galleries' standard terms and conditions of sale, which are published in our catalogues.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Upon request, Swann will facilitate the shipping of purchases to out-of-town buyers at an additional charge for packing, shipping and insurance, but will not be responsible for any loss, damage or delay resulting from the packing, handling and shipping thereof. Unless specific instructions are received, Swann is the sole judge of the method to be used for shipment. Packing and shipping costs will be noted on the invoice mailed to successful bidders after the sale, and are based on the actual costs involved. Be advised that a full commercial invoice must accompany any purchase shipped outside the US.

May 21, 2009 1:30 PM EDT
New York, NY, US

Swann Auction Galleries

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 23% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $149 $10
$150 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $5,999 $200
$6,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 $499,999 $20,000
$500,000 + $50,000