The upcoming sale at Henry Adams Auctioneers, Chichester on Thursday 25th June promises to be an exciting event, with an eclectic collection of vintage posters sure to bring a touch of history and elegance to any interior.
A specialist sale of more than 80 vintage posters comes to Baffins Hall, Chichester on Thursday 25th June, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire works spanning a century of graphic art, popular culture and social history.
The sale includes works ranging from French cabaret lithographs to British music hall, railway and cinema posters and reflects the breadth and vibrancy of commercial art from the 1900s to the 1950s.
"I am very excited to present this cool and eclectic collection of posters,” said Nick Hall, Director of Henry Adams Auctioneers and BBC TV antiques expert. “Not only do they have great visual appeal for the home but they also document a fascinating snapshot into a century of shifting cultures and graphic styles, historical events, cinema classics, marketing trends and lifestyle changes, and are an affordable route to building an art collection”.
Among the highlights is a French billboard-scale lithograph poster by Paul Selten, measuring over three metres in height and promoting Mistinguett at the height of her fame. Born Jeanne Florentine Bourgeois, Mistinguett was at her peak the highest-paid female entertainer in the world, appearing at the Moulin Rouge, Folies Bergère and Casino de Paris. This poster carries a Christie's lot label recording its appearance in The Edwin C. Glickman Collection of Mistinguett Posters and Memorabilia. Poster estimate: £400 - £600.
Equally rare is a British three-sheet lithograph poster by the celebrated British illustrator and cartoonist, William Heath Robinson, promoting comedian Harry Tate’s celebrated fishing sketch – a vivid survival from the era of British music hall comedy. Poster estimate: £100 - £200.
Those drawn to the elegance of the belle Époque will appreciate the French door-panel size poster from the 1900s, printed by the renowned house of Mourlot – one of the most celebrated lithographic printing houses in art history. This advertising poster depicts a showgirl in costume and is believed to reference performer Marguerite Derly. Poster estimate: £100 - £200.
The full collection will be available to browse online on Friday 19th June, with viewings taking place at the Henry Adams saleroom Baffins Hall, Chichester, PO19 1UA from Saturday 20th to Wednesday 24th June. The auction will then be held at Baffins Hall on Thursday 25th June at 10am with bidding available in person, online or by telephone by arrangement. Collectors wishing to consign posters for inclusion in the sale are warmly invited to contact Henry Adams – entries close on 12th June. Call 01243 532223 or email auctions@henryadams.co.uk. There is also an online form here.
A century of art, culture and history all under one roof, and all under the hammer in this summer auction.
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