SOUDAN. Circa 1890.

Camis, Paris. Condition B+: restored losses and repaired tears in margins; repaired tears along vertical and horizontal folds; creases in image. In fin-de-siecle France, the wonders of viewing exotic peoples from around the world was very popular entertainment, and "primitive" natives from the growing Colonial Empires were toured all over Europe. The Champ de Mars (site of the 1889 Universal Exposition and future home of the Eiffel Tower) and the Jardin d'Acclimation (a zoo west of the city) were among the spots where the shows of Zulus, Ashantis, Congolese and other African tribes- people were staged. The living diorama advertised here is a recreation of a Sudanese village, in which "300 poor" victims would live, perform dances, manufacture crafts etc. The poster is a classic image, with a family in traditional costume in the forefront and various vignettes showing the attractions. It is also a very early and unusual poster for Tamagno, who went on to create many posters for bicycles, absinthe and other commercial products. Orientalist, 98.