ADOLPHE MOURON CASSANDRE (1901-1968) NORMANDIE / FRENCH LINE / 60 VOYAGES. 1938.
39 1/4x24 1/2 inches, 99 3/4x62 1/4 cm. L. Danel, Paris.
Condition A-: repaired tears at bottom margin, some slightly into image; vertical crease in upper left image.
A pillar in the pantheon of modern poster design, Cassandre's unforgettable image has entered the mainstream of the graphic vernacular. Attention is often drawn to the "lofty symmetry and steep upward angle" of the composition and to the small flock of gulls which help to convey the size of this floating palace (Mouron p. 67). Yet, seen head-on, this liner displays a grace and smoothness of curves that belie its massive size; even the small amount of water being churned up by its mighty keel seems to suggest that the boat is literally gliding through the ocean. There are at least six variations of this poster, all boasting the same monumental image, but differing in their text. This rare variant, printed in 1938, proudly announces the milestones of the vessel's service over the three and a half years since her maiden voyage in 1935: "60 Atlantic crossings covered 400,000 nautical miles and carried 115,000 passengers by January 1, 1939." By the time she was pulled out of service in New York due to the outbreak of war she had made a total of 139 crossings. Mouron 56, Tourism 19, La Mer 137, Schipp & Affiche 30, Brown & Reinhold pl. 53, Weill 345 (all var).