Press Release

New York, NY, USA, February 9, 2024 -- The 92nd Rare Posters Auction from Poster Auctions International on Sunday, March 3 features rare and iconic images from a century of poster design. The collection includes Art Nouveau, Art Deco, Modern, and Contemporary lithographs as well as decorative panels, maquettes, and original works.

All 410 lots will be on view to the public February 9 to March 2. The auction will be held live in PAI’s gallery at 26 West 17th Street in New York City, as well as online at posterauctions.com, beginning promptly at 11am EST.

Jack Rennert, president of Poster Auctions International, Inc., said, “This auction is truly notable for the amount of rare and never-before-seen works available, including impressive billboards by Cappiello and Steinlen and one-of-a-kind pieces by Mucha. For collectors searching for that special something to round out their collection, this auction will prove to be a treasure trove of design.”

The auction will begin with five lots of rare Olympics posters, including Joseph Rovers’ 1928 IXe Olympiade / Amsterdam (est. $12,000-$15,000), Walter Herz’s 1947 London 1948 Olympics (est. $2,500-$3,000), and the complete Olympics: Munich 1972 Artistic Series of 28 posters (est. $3,000-$4,000).

Next, 20 Art Nouveau and Art Deco bicycle posters will be offered. Highlights include Georges Gaudy’s 1898 Cycles et Automobiles Legia (est. $2,500-$3,000), Frederick Winthrop Ramsdell’s 1899 American Crescent Cycles (est. $4,000-$5,000), A. M. Cassandre’s rare 1925 Cycles Brillant (est. $10,000-$12,000), and Marcello Nizzoli’s FN (Fabrique Nationale) from 1925 (est. $3,500-$4,000).

Automobile buffs will delight in the 32 lots on offer, which range from early car models to Modern makes and races. Notable lots include Ludwig Hohlwein’s 1914 Mercedes (est. $25,000-$30,000), G. de Burggeill’s ca. 1904 Peugeot (est. $5,000-$6,000), and A. Chazelle’s 1933 Amilcar (est. $4,000-$5,000). Also included in this collection are several images for Porsche and international Grands Prix.

This auction features 28 Aviation posters, including early air meets and Modern airlines. Important images include M. Dessoures’ 1910 Semaine d’Aviation / Caen (est. $6,000-$8,000) and René Lelong’s 1909 Meeting Aérien de Reims : Maquette (est. $4,000-$5,000). Five invigorating designs for TWA by David Klein are offered (ests. ranging $1,200-$4,000); five airline designs featuring New York City’s World Trade Center towers are also offered (ests. ranging $1,400-$4,000).

As always, this auction includes robust collections by the leaders of lithography. From Leonetto Cappiello—the father of modern advertising—18 rare and iconic works will be auctioned. Beloved images include his 1907 Congrès International des Étudiants (est. $5,000-$6,000), the 1907 Mele (est. $17,000-$20,000), the 1927 Nice (est. $6,000-$8,000), and his 1922 Contratto (est. $4,000-$5,000). But rarities also abound, including his 1912 L’Eau de Montmirail (est. $6,000-$8,000), his 1923 Figaro : Maquette (est. $25,000-$30,000), and the rarely seen four-sheet Allez Chez Poccardi, from 1924 (est. $40,000-$50,000).

A small but choice selection of images will be available from Jules Chéret, who largely developed the art of the poster. His 1893 Folies-Bergère / La Loïe Fuller is a perennial favorite (est. $4,500-$5,500). Also at auction are his 1895 Pastilles Géraudel (est. $2,500-$3,000), the 1900 Palais de Glace (est. $2,700-$3,000), one original drawing, and one painting (est. $8,000-$10,000 and $17,000-$20,000, respectively).

Public viewings will be held daily from February 9 to March 2. For more information and to view the digital catalogue, visit www.posterauctions.com. You may call the gallery at (212) 787-4000. For general inquiries, the email address is info@posterauctions.com.

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