Dec 19, 2007 - Sale 2133

Sale 2133 - Lot 129

Unsold
Estimate: $ 2,000 - $ 3,000
ALPHONSE MUCHA (1860-1939) PARIS-FRANCE / SOCIETE ANONYME. 1907, 1920, 1923, 1927 and 1930. Group of 5 bearer bonds, some with coupons.
Each cover approximately 13x9 inches. Chaix, Paris.
Conditions vary, generally B. Booklets punch-stamped and ink-stamped, several with coupons missing.
Although not one of the more famous French institutions, nor one that survived through the end of the 20th century, the Paris-France Company was certainly a prominent financial institution in its time. Even though Mucha was under contract with Champenois, he was allowed to take on other commercial commissions, provided they did not directly interfere with Champenois' business. This image, reproduced by a photomechanical process, depicting an intricate allegory of trade and industry, was used, and reused by the bank over the years, appearing in different colors. It was definitely commissioned from the artist before he left for the United States in 1901. A glorious, and beautiful look at old-fashioned finance, in which coupons from bonds were redeemable every number of months. Previously unrecorded.